Title: Academic Advising Specialist, College of Arts & Sciences - 997259

　　Position Number: 997259

　　Unit/Department: Dean's Office Arts & Sciences

　　FTE: Full-time

　　Department Summary:

　　Drake University's College of Arts and Sciences is a community of life-long learners engaged in the creative use of knowledge, culture, and reflection to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Through its interdisciplinary programs, offerings in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts, the college prepares you for a productive career, active leadership and responsible citizenship in the global and diverse community of the future.

　　The College offers degree programs in the full range of arts and sciences disciplines and interdisciplinary programs, enabling you to lay the groundwork for a career in business, the arts, and the professions, including teaching. It also provides the liberal education experiences for students in the University's undergraduate professional programs, and, through its School of Fine Arts, addresses the artistic needs of all members of the Drake community.

　　With 41 majors in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts, the College of Arts and Sciences spans a vast territory of human knowledge and provides the foundation of the liberal arts at Drake.‌

　　Learn more about Drake University's College of Arts & Sciences at: https://www.drake.edu/artsci/about/ .

　　Job Summary:

　　The College of Arts & Sciences is thrilled to launch this search for a new Academic Advising Specialist. The College supports a team of professionals who share responsibilities for academic advising, student support, and a variety of other student-focused activities.

　　The Academic Advising Specialist will inspire trust and confidence and possess the knowledge and skills to support the College's efforts to attract, retain, and engage students. They will build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders including faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, and other university constituents. The Academic Advising Specialist will regularly collaborate with the Dean's Leadership Team, the College's Assistant Deans, and the University's academic advising professionals across academic units.

　　We are seeking candidates who are highly organized professionals to help promote a positive and successful learning experience for our undergraduate students. This position will play an integral role in increasing student retention, engagement, and completion through the execution of a range of student-centric initiatives in collaboration with the Dean's Office, as well as with partners across campus.

　　Central to this role will be an inclusive mindset to acknowledge the unique identities of student, and the ability to interpret relevant data to design and implement culturally appropriate and equitable programmatic interventions to support retention and completion for identified groups of students. This role will also lead efforts to promote a superior student experience from orientation through graduation and play a supporting role in promoting the college and its programs to prospective students and their families.

　　We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with people having diverse backgrounds, working in teams, and working in a matrixed organization. Candidates should be aware that this position requires limited evening and weekend work, occasional travel, and access to a vehicle.

　　Minimum Qualifications:

　　• Bachelor's Degree

　　• At least two years of experience in higher education.

　　• Experience with, and enthusiasm for, collaborating with diverse student, staff, faculty, and community constituencies.

　　Preferred Qualifications:

　　• Master’s Degree

　　• 2+ years of experience within academic advising in higher education or a related higher education content area.

　　• Working knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of academic advising and the ability to apply such principles, practices and techniques to academic advising, retention, and student success.

　　• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written electronic communication skills sufficient to prepare, explain, and present messages and materials for diverse audiences and maintain positive relationships.

　　• Strong organizational skills and an ability to maintain accurate, detailed records.

　　• Capable of managing projects with competing priorities and deadlines.

　　• Provide responsive, accurate, and detail-oriented student-centered support.

　　• Ability to build cooperative, collaborative partnerships across the University to support student retention and success.

　　Core Job Duties:

　　55% - Academic Advising and Registration 

　　• Facilitate students’ transition to Drake by providing general information about university academic requirements, policies, processes, and resources. Facilitate introductions to faculty mentors/advisors as appropriate.  

　　• Advise an assigned caseload of students and provide support in making recommendations regarding program of study, degree requirements, course offerings, education planning, and necessary testing and pre-requisites for curricular requirements.

　　• Provide accurate, detailed information about applicability of transfer credits and time and path to degree. Provide support and outreach for registration preparation. 

　　• Track and monitor progress toward degree. Maintain accurate and detailed student records, including degree audits, academic petitions and substitutions, and curricular files using various technology systems (i.e., Banner, Starfish, etc.). 

　　• Assist with graduation applications, candidacy petitions, and degree verifications. 

　　• Serve as a member of the university advising council.

　　• Collaborate with Director of Advising, advising specialist colleagues internal and external to home academic college, and faculty mentors/advisors to implement advising policies, procedures, communications, and training as agreed upon by the university advising council.  

　　• Assist various campus offices with the operational aspects of advising, including faculty mentor training and support, study abroad planning and equates, NCAA athletic certifications, transfer credit evaluations, etc.  

　　45% - Student Success and Retention

　　• Collaborate on academic unit and university initiatives to support retention and persistence, including but not limited to summer melt mitigation, bridge programs, academic recovery plans and proactive student interventions. 

　　• Serve as a resource for academic support such as time management, study skills, and approaching professors and connect students to, key student support resources and make referrals as appropriate. 

　　• Participate in new and continuing student programming, including but not limited to orientation planning for new student transition and implementing the college advising and registration process for continuing students.

　　• Assist college/school with the student academic standing process, including probation and suspension, dismissals, withdrawals, reinstatements, and re-enrollments (both recent students who indicate an intent to return and need follow-up/guidance on to-be-transferred credits and those who are returning to the University after substantial time away).  

　　• Other duties as assigned.

　　Salary & Benefits

　　The salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt (salaried) position.

　　At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our digital benefits guide: Drake Benefits Guide (Plan Year 2024) (https://www.drake.edu/hr/benefitsoverview/) .

　　One of our very popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. You can learn about both the tuition waiver policy and tuition exchange programs here: Tuition Benefits (https://www.drake.edu/hr/benefitsoverview/tuitionbenefits/) .

　　Special Instructions to Applicants:

　　For consideration, you must apply online. Please include a resume and cover letter.

　　If you have questions about this job posting or the application process, please email us at [email protected] .

　　Review of Applications Begins:

　　A review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open until filled.