Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist

Salary for Announcement

The salary range for this position is $49,000 – $51,000. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, education, experience, specialty, and training.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. MSU Denver offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Posting Details

Posting Number

A02040

Position Title

Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist

Position Number

E00835

Pay Grade

Employee Category

Professional staff

Department

College of LAS-Office

EClass Code

Full Time Professional Staff

Position Summary

The Academic Advisor & Retention Specialist will report to the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences ( CLAS ) and work with students in the Department of Biology.

The Academic Advisor & Retention Specialist ( AARS ) is responsible for helping incoming and continuing students using developmental advising techniques. Serving both on-campus and online students, the AARS will help students determine an appropriate academic path, including selecting an appropriate major, choosing classes, and beginning to define a career path. In collaboration with advising coordinators, chairs, and other faculty members in the academic departments served, the Academic Advisor & Retention Specialist will make targeted outreach to students to identify potential obstacles to retention and graduation.

The AARS also helps plan and deliver University wide and unit-specific advising programs and initiatives, such as new student orientation advising, support for general education requirements, support for CLAS curricular initiatives, and support for the University’s Hispanic Serving Institution initiative.

Duties/Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities are to provide informed guidance and accurate information in the most efficient, accessible, and comprehensive manner possible to assist students in reaching their educational, life, and career goals.

Academic Advising (50%)

• Conduct individual advising sessions with students
• Assist with course selection, scheduling, and registration
• Help students with long-term degree planning
• Assist with and evaluate transfer courses and submit degree exceptions, where applicable
• Refer students to appropriate university resources
• Provide basic information related to career planning, financial aid, admissions and other applicable information related to student needs

Retention (20%)

• Manage caseloads of students
• Conduct outreach to students by making phone calls and emails to continuing students
• Identify students who are not reaching program and career-selection milestones as defined by department chairs or faculty advising coordinators
• Design and implement appropriate interventions
• Assist with the collection of data for the preparation of reporting related to the assessment of advising services

Recruitment and Support (15%)

• Participate in University recruitment events, including outreach and involvement with under-represented groups
• Participate in Student Orientation Advising and Registration ( SOAR ) and CLAS Transfer Student Orientations
• Work with the Admissions office to identify newly admitted CLAS majors and contact them regarding orientation and advising
• Support the University’s Hispanic Serving Institution initiative

Training and Professional Development (10%)

• Remain up to date on advising systems and trends in developmental advising
• Become/remain knowledgeable about the curriculum over time
• Provide advising assistance and training for CLAS faculty
• Participate in advisor training sessions
• Attend professional development opportunities whenever possible

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated experience with developmental advising techniques (or equivalent experience) at an accredited institution

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in either Higher Education, College Personnel, Counseling, or related field an academic discipline taught in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
• Demonstrated experience working with advising software platforms (e.g. Student Success Collaborative, GradesFirst, Starfish, or similar)
• Experience working with and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse urban student population including, but not limited to, students of color, LGBTQIA students, students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation students, students with disabilities, undocumented students, non-traditional students, Military Veterans, and English-language learners
• Working knowledge of student information system software (e.g. Ellucian Banner, PeopleSoft, DegreeWorks, CampusVue, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience in program assessment
• Demonstrated experience using social media technology in advising
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency

Work Hours

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm with some occasional extended hours for events.

Posting date

03/24/2022

Closing date

Closing Instructions

Open Until Filled

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT)

04/07/2022

Special Instructions to Applicants

In order to be considered as an applicant, you must apply via the online application system, www.msudenverjobs.com .

References refers to a list of three professional references and their contact information. At least one reference provided must be a supervisor (either current or former).

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Talent Team Representative

Amy Hamik

Talent Team Representative E-mail

hamika@msudenver.edu

Benefits

MSU Denver is pleased to offer our current and potential employees a wide array of benefit options. To learn more, please visit the following link: Employee Benefits Offerings

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 50% first generation students and over 45% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.