POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Academic Advisor/First Year Experience Coordinator TRIO
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1141
GRADE 42
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, TRIO Programs
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Academic Advisor/First Year Experience Coordinator, TRIO assists assigned students in the development of academic schedules appropriate for their stated educational goals, guides pre-majors in the selection of academic majors, and directs students to resources within the University that provide assistance in making career/academic major choices, as appropriate. The Academic Advisor/First Year Experience Coordinator, TRIO develops, implements, and supports the daily delivery of services to participants and is responsible for the maintenance of assigned participant records, evaluation of assigned participant activities, and preparation of reports related to assigned participants.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor’s degree is required. A Master's degree in higher education, counseling, teacher education, social work, or a related field is preferred.
Experience: At least two years of academic advising experience is required, where knowledge of federal, state, and higher education policies and procedures has been gained, or one year of high school or university employment in which a thorough knowledge of academic programs and support services was required. Experience and knowledge of diagnostic and career assessment materials and knowledge of learning strategies and accommodations for diverse populations, including academically disadvantaged students, is required. Teaching experience is preferred. Experience working with Student Support Services, or other TRIO Programs, focused on students who are low-income, first-generation, have a disability, or are academically disadvantaged is preferred.
Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills (particularly in working with a diverse student population), organizational and management skills are required. A working knowledge of various computer applications is required. A record of inclusive conduct and evidence of multicultural skills in the workplace is required. The ability to drive a 15 passenger van is required. Experience with database applications is preferred.
Other: A valid driver’s license is required. The scope of the position occasionally requires work in the evenings and on weekends. This position is dependent on external funding.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides an essential student service of academic advisement by being knowledgeable of academic policies and procedures unique to Missouri State University that facilitate the advisement process and assist assigned students in the development of academic schedules appropriate for the stated educational goals of students, guiding students in decision-making and learning how to accept responsibility for their decisions, assisting all students (not just advisees) seeking academic information, assisting pre-majors in the selection of academic majors, and directing students to resources within the University that provide assistance in making career and academic major choices.
2. Ensures the effectiveness of the advising process by maintaining electronic advising notes for all assigned advisees and using information in the Faculty/Advisor Resource Center to advise students appropriately, compiling, completing, and documenting intake interviews and skill area assessments, and maintaining accuracy of participant files with clear and updated materials on contacts each semester.
3. Maintains a caseload of assigned TRIO SSS participants for individual advising, counseling, and personal development activities by conducting needs assessments of SSS participants and coordinating the development and implementation of action and educational plans for each participant, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on assigned participants’ academic progress, intervening with appropriate support services when necessary, and referring to appropriate on- and off-campus support services as needed.
4. Serves as Coordinator of the First Year Experience Program for freshmen students and meets weekly with TRIO students about time management skills, learning styles, stress management skills, personal finance and budgeting skills, test-taking strategies scholarship information, goals, concentration, grades, and study skills.
5. Manages the TRIO Student Support Services Mentoring Program by matching freshman and sophomore program participants with junior and senior mentors and training and supervising mentors while maintaining appropriate documentation, records, and reports for the Director.
6. Plans, organizes, implements, and coordinates monthly social activities for TRIO students.
7. Develops and implements the Extended Academic Assistance curriculum including topics such as: available University resources, learning styles, organization and time management, anxiety and stress management skills, communication skills, and emotional intelligence.
8. Supports the Upward Bound program by teaching classes, assisting in the planning and execution of the Summer Academy, and facilitating workshops as assigned.
9. Supports the TRIO Program by assisting in the recruitment of program participants, developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating learning enhancement activities and workshops and personal development activities for all TRIO SSS participants, advocating on the behalf of participants with faculty, staff, and colleagues, if necessary, ensuring participants meet guidelines for maintaining active involvement in the program, and encouraging retention by providing personal and academic support and guidance.
10. Represents TRIO Programs on- and off-campus by establishing and maintaining working relationships with University and community representatives and students by serving on advisory committees, providing workshops, attending conferences on and off the university campus, and participating in staff meetings and trainings.
11. Assists with the creation, implementation, and execution of departmental and University policies and procedures, and assisting the Director, TRIO Programs with data collection for required reports.
12. Helps to assure that TRIO students and potential TRIO students have full information on opportunities and responsibilities related to the SSS program by preparing materials used to promote TRIO programs, such as mailings to prospective students, coordinating assessments and other tests involving participants, directing participants to the appropriate resources for academic advisement, providing basic information in response to questions about matriculation issues, and coordinating the cultural and social activities of the TRIO programs.
13. Assures the accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality of participants’ files by working with the Director to assemble and maintain the components of the student file, such as the TRIO application form, assessment forms, academic record forms, etc., preparing applicant files for review and decision by the Director, preparing and maintaining student files for participants, and coordinating the gathering of academic and financial need data on participants for entry into the student file.
14. Provides information needed for decision making by keeping current and accessible TRIO enrollment records, managing and maintaining databases, and preparing and submitting reports on the TRIO student population as requested by the Director of TRIO Programs.
15. Facilitates awareness of the TRIO programs by marketing the program and promoting program services through informational presentations to faculty, staff, prospective students from the MSU population and transfer students, and/or by distributing program literature at student festivals, strategic locations across campus, and elsewhere as appropriate.
16. Ensures the security, availability, maintenance, and proper use of TRIO resources by managing access and use of laptop computers, digital cameras, other electronic equipment such as software and graphic calculators, and scholarship books made available to program participants through lending programs.
17. Supports the Upward Bound program by teaching classes as assigned during the summer.
18. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
19. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, attending training and/or courses required by the supervisor, and attending academic advisor forums to maintain master advisor status and academic advisement center staff meetings when faculty and staff present departmental information.
20. Contributes to the overall success of the TRIO Student Support Services program by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Academic Advisor/First Year Experience Coordinator-TRIO is supervised by the Director, TRIO Programs, and supervises a graduate assistant and mentors.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED AUGUST 2019
