Academic Advising and Program Specialist - CHANCE

The CHANCE Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is accepting applications for the Academic Advising and Program Specialist position.

UIC is one of the most diverse universities in the nation and has been designated a Minority Serving Institution, a Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian-American and Native-American Pacific Islander Serving Institution. UIC is the largest research university in Chicago, enjoys the strongest enrollment growth in Illinois with a student body of 34,000 and 3,100 faculty, and is in the top 5% of the most ethnically diverse universities in the United States.

The Academic Advising and Program Specialist is responsible for the retention and recruitment of underrepresented students at UIC. This position will participant in recruitment activities, pathways to enrollment, advising/educational activities, and career exploration throughout the student’s undergraduate experience. This position creates holistic educational plans for students, supporting their academic, career, and life goals. Implement and monitors pre-college summer initiatives, as well as design programs to support underrepresented students at various levels to increase graduation rates.

Other duties include:

Student Recruitment Activities

• In coordination with VPAES, coordinate recruitment visits to high schools, two-year colleges and community agencies to increase our presence and networking opportunities.
• Disseminate UIC/CHANCE Program information at campus open house events, local and national college fairs, and day/night/weekend events related to the recruitment of underrepresented students.
• Advise prospective students (undergraduate, transfer, and non-traditional students) on academic and other matters, such as applying to UIC, financial aid, and scholarships.
• Create and lead activities to increase the yield of underrepresented students who are admitted to UIC. Assist in the UIC orientation of new freshmen and transfer students and their families.
• Establish a network with outside communities to improve educational opportunities. Prepare and conduct presentations at 9-12 schools and community organizations on the importance of higher education for the community.
• Research state and national trends and best practices on underrepresented student recruitment to steer recruitment efforts in the appropriate direction.

Student Retention Activities

• Expand and deepen holistic educational plan for students supporting their academic, career and life goals. Monitor satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion.
• Provide advising to students regarding college policies/procedures and general academic program requirements; describe courses and prerequisites, and disseminate information regarding registration procedures.
• Provide resources to students to help them understand college culture, how universities are organized, the polices that will affect them, and how to work with faculty, staff, and administrators to address challenges.
• Implement and monitor student success programs as well as programs designed to support the success of underrepresented students.
• Participate in the recruitment and training of peer success coaches and monitor their performance.
• Assist students with application forms for programs, financial aid and scholarships. Participate in scholarship committees on and off campus to ensure scholarship availability to students. Identify private scholarships for students with special circumstances and assist with application process.
• Liaise between undergraduate advising entities in academic colleges as well as other success units.
• Create and facilitate workshops on major exploration, career development, study abroad, internships, scholarships, and graduate school.
• Analyze student data to determine trends on underrepresented student enrollment and success at UIC. Contribute to the preparation of annual reports and make recommendations for program development.
• Perform other related duties and participates in special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree required.

Two years of experience working in an educational setting or related field. Experience working in a college/university, student success program development/administration, student advising preferred.

Experience working with underrepresented students preferred. Demonstrated knowledge working with audiences from diverse backgrounds.

Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential to maintain effective working relations with departments, employees and managers at all levels and external constituencies (parents, high schools, other colleges/universities).

Demonstrated ability to develop supportive interactions with students in one-on-one and group situations.

Strong project management skills.

Intermediate level experience using Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

For fullest consideration, please submit a cover letter addressing the candidate’s fit for the position, resume and the names and contact information for three references online at https://jobs.uic.edu/job-board/job-details?jobID=165231 by June 6, 2022. Questions can be directed to Gerardo Jimenez, Director of Operations, at gjimenez@uic.edu.

The University of Illinois at Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or status as an individual with a disability.

Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.

As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899

University of Illinois faculty, staff and students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption in accordance with applicable University processes.