POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director, Academic Advisement and Transfer Center
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1140
GRADE 46
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Associate Provost for Student Development and Public Affairs
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director, Academic Advisement and Transfer Center is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the operations of the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center for undecided/exploratory and interdisciplinary majors. The Director, Academic Advisement and Transfer Center plans, implements, and evaluates campus-wide training and awards programs for academic advisors and provides leadership for the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center through the development of departmental policies, procedures, and advising guidelines and the preparation of long-and short-range goals and objectives. The Director, Academic Advisement and Transfer Center works in collaboration with the Director, New Student and Family Programs in the training of advisors, in providing advisors for the undecided/exploratory groups, and in making advisor assignments following the student orientation, advisement, and registration programs (SOAR) conducted by the University. The Director, Academic Advisement and Transfer Center works cooperatively with the Executive Director, Center for Academic Success and Transition to affiliate advisors with each section of GEP 101 to provide information on academic advising, academic rules and regulations, general education requirements, and registration information to students in the First-Year Foundations course. The Director, Academic Advisement and Transfer Center works with Assistant Directors, Academic Advisors, and the Coordinator, Student Success Initiatives to improve the transfer experience for students, provide advising for Individualized Majors, Bachelor of General Studies Majors, and Individual Review students as well as plan and implement the Jump START program, the Majors Fair, and precollege advising for high-achieving high school students. The Director, Academic Advisement and Transfer Center coordinates efforts to help undecided/exploratory students make well-informed, timely decisions about an academic program and to provide them with support while they are deciding on a major.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master's degree is required.
Experience: At least five years of experience is required in higher education, which includes academic advising and administrative duties. Teaching experience is preferred. Experience with training and development programs is preferred. Experience advising various student populations, including exploratory/undecided students, is preferred. Experience with federal, state and higher education policies and procedures is preferred.
Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills (particularly in working with a diverse student population), and organizational and management skills are required. A working knowledge of various computer applications is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Other: The scope of the position occasionally requires work in the evenings and on weekends, especially during the summer SOAR sessions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures that the essential student service of quality academic advisement is provided to students at Missouri State University by establishing an environment for advising which is student-oriented.
2. Ensures the success of the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center through the development of departmental policies, procedures and advisement guidelines, the preparation of long- and short-range goals and objectives for the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center, setting priorities for meeting student needs in advising, hiring qualified advising personnel, and evaluating progress toward accomplishment of those goals and objectives.
3. Coordinates campus-wide advisor training and development activities to ensure that academic advisors are provided with accurate information about campus resources, rules and regulations, and academic programs and ensures that faculty and primary role advisors are familiar with research on the importance of academic advising, different approaches to academic advising, and are able to develop appropriate advising relationships with a diversity of students.
4. Coordinates the services of the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center with other campus offices within the University by regular communication with academic department heads, academic advisors, and other administrators, faculty, and staff.
5. Serves as a standing member of the Provost’s Academic Advising Council to evaluate the administration and delivery of advising services to all students at Missouri State University, makes recommendations for improvements, and provides support to the chair of the Provost’s Academic Advising Council.
6. Provides an essential student service of academic advising by being knowledgeable of academic policies and procedures unique to Missouri State University which facilitate the advisement process of assisting students in determining academic goals, choosing courses appropriate for those goals, supporting students in decision-making and learning how to accept responsibility for their decisions, assisting all students (not just advisees) seeking academic information, assisting exploratory/undecided students in the selection of academic majors and minors, and directing students to resources within the University which provide further assistance in making career, major, and academic choices.
7. Develops a competent and effective advisement staff by hiring qualified applicants, providing professional development opportunities both on-campus and at professional conferences, assigning appropriate academic advising responsibilities, and evaluating individual performance.
8. Manages funds by planning, developing and controlling the departmental budget.
9. Ensures the effectiveness of the advising process by maintaining electronic advising files for all assigned advisees and using information from the University’s database to advise students appropriately.
10. Participates as a member of the University community by serving on committees as assigned by the Associate Provost for Student Development and Public Affairs or the Office of the Provost.
11. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
12. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses and attending training and/or courses as directed by the Associate Provost for Student Development and Public Affairs.
13. Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Academic Affairs by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Director of the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center is supervised by the Associate Provost for Student Development and Public Affairs and supervises professional, clerical, and support personnel and student employees.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2020
