Academic Advisor

Position Summary

The College of Arts & Sciences at the University at Buffalo is seeking an Academic Advisor to work within the Arts and Humanities Sector. As the Advisor, you would be responsible for providing a range of support services to students who are enrolled in the college’s Art, Media Study, Music, and Theatre and Dance academic units. Caseloads will include incoming freshman, transfer students and continuing undergraduate students in addition to working with students who are at risk of not completing their degrees.

You will also lead and/or assist with advising-related initiatives that support the college overall; serve on student services-related committees; and represent the college at events, as needed. The Advisor will report to the Director of CAS Advisement Services.

As the Advisor your responsibilities would include:

• Advise incoming students, including transfers from community colleges and University change-of-majors who are exploring or entering an academic program in the arts departments in the college. Onboard and counsel transfer students with regard to: developmental academic planning; general education and major requirements; evaluation of courses for transfer; class registration and degree tracking; and maintaining successful academic progress. Facilitate students’ transition to updated or new academic programs by providing comparative degree completion analysis.
• Pursue and lead strategies to address the needs of under-performing students (e.g., those who have received academic warnings, have low GPAs, or are at risk of failing.) Support students by troubleshooting roadblocks, and tracking students’ progress. Partner with the Tutoring Center, Writing Center, Math Center and related offices to foster activities that support the population.
• Establish advising processes that cover scheduled and walk-in individual advising, group advising, and classroom presentations. Help students negotiate university regulations, assisting with the completion of forms as needed.
• Incorporate direction from department leaders with regard to managing caseloads from their respective units. Work collaboratively with peer and faculty advisors. Maintain relationships with Career Services; Counseling Services; Office of Accessibility Resources; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; and related areas with regard to referring students for services.
• Develop and maintain working knowledge of and effective relationships with student support and business offices across the university to effectively assist students to leverage available supports and successfully navigate potential barriers to success.
• Help innovate, lead and implement strategies that support advising goals set by the college. Examples may include creating new protocols, piloting programs, or fostering the use of information systems. Learn and utilize technology such as HUB Advising, SIRI, Navigate, and other tools. Enter and analyze student data for reporting and assessment.
• Collaborate on university retention initiatives, including campaigns designed to influence non-registered students.
• Represent the college at student events related to advising and recruiting, such as Welcome programs, New Student Orientations, and Majors Fairs, with some occurring on nights and weekends. Conduct presentations as needed.

The College of Arts and Sciences is a large college, with a small college feel. We are the largest academic unit at the University at Buffalo, with 30 departments and 16 academic programs, 23 centers and institutes, two art galleries and major theater and music performance venues. We provide education and scholarship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences to the University, the Western New York community and the world at large.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two years professional experience working with undergraduate students in a higher education setting.
• Able to learn and advise students on curriculum requirements for a wide range of programs, with adherence to confidentiality standards.
• Ability to make strategic decisions with students about their coursework and progress toward degree.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and verbal and written communication skills.
• The ideal candidate is student-focused, customer-service oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced collaborative, creative, and diverse environment.
• Computer experience in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access).
• Must be able to manage competing priorities, be deadline-driven, and demonstrate a commitment to learning new skills as needed.
• Ability to handle confidential information on a daily basis; Understand the FERPA laws enacted to protect student privacy and information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree.
• Experience with UB systems ( SIRI, HUB, Navigate, etc.) and other applications related to student academic records and student support services strongly preferred.
• Experience with UB policies and procedures surrounding undergraduate education.
• Understanding of and experience working with arts academic programs and student populations.
• Experience with academic advising and working on student success initiatives.
• Solution oriented and creative: ability to innovate and take initiative.
• Working knowledge of the University academic integrity guidelines and undergraduate financial aid rules with regard to student registrations.

For more information, click the "How to Apply" button.