POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Academic Advisor-Retention Specialist
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1152
GRADE 42
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, Business Advisement Center
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Academic Advisor/Retention Specialist is responsible for assisting assigned business students in the development of academic schedules appropriate for the stated educational goals of students and assisting in the development and implementation of a retention plan for the College of Business designed to assist students in progressing towards degree completion. The Academic Advisor/Retention Specialist assists in planning, organizing, and presenting individual and group advisement sessions for business students (including transfer and prospective students) and assists with Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration Program (SOAR).
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field is required; a Master's degree in Business Administration is preferred.
Experience: At least six months of work experience in higher education or customer service is required. Experience in academic advising is preferred. Extensive knowledge of the University, its requirements and regulations, is preferred.
Skills: Strong oral and written communications skills are required. Excellent interpersonal skills, including conflict management, are required. Computer literacy, including word processing and database management are required. Organizational and time management skills are 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 requires occasional weekend and evening work particularly during scheduled advisement/registration periods. The position may require travel, including overnight travel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides an essential student service of academic advisement to students majoring or minoring in Business or a related field by being knowledgeable of the academic policies and procedures unique to the College of Business as well as the University, guiding students in decision-making and learning how to accept responsibility for their decisions, assisting all students (not just advisees) seeking academic information, and directing students to resources within the University that provide additional assistance (e.g., financial aid, testing, career services, and student employment).
2. Facilitates the development and implementation of a retention plan for the College of Business by researching literature on student retention, attending workshops, conferences, and seminars specifically addressing student advisement and retention, and recommending alternatives designed to assist students in progressing towards degree completion.
3. Facilitates the registration process for business students by assisting in planning, organizing, and presenting individual and group advisement sessions that provide information and assistance regarding degree requirements, major selection, and schedule building and explaining and enforcing the requirements for admission to the College of Business, thus maintaining the integrity of the degree accreditation.
4. Helps ensure the success of Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration (SOAR) by presenting incoming business students with the requirements unique to the College of Business, advising individual students on course selection, and determining how approved transfer credit applies towards a business degree.
5. Ensures the effectiveness of the advising process by maintaining advisee files, regularly updating advisee academic reports, and validating the information contained in the advisee files with the student database.
6. Promotes the advisor-advisee relationship by effectively using the various tools of communication, including email, telephone, face-to-face meetings, online meetings, and electronic advising notes.
7. Effectively assists transfer students in transition to the University and College of Business by providing accurate information and resources available to the student.
8. Assists business students to develop a plan for completion of a degree by evaluating computerized degree audits that compare the degree requirements with the student's academic record, reviewing the audit with students to determine remaining courses required for degree completion, and assisting with developing plans for completion of those required courses.
9. Ensures continuity in the management and operation of the Business Advisement Center by assuming the duties and responsibilities of the supervisor in his/her absence, when requested.
10. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
11. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses, and maintains professional certification and/or memberships as required by the Director, Business Advisement Center.
12. Contributes to the overall success of the Business Advisement Center by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Academic Advisor/Retention Specialist is supervised by the Director, Business Advisement Center and may exercise supervision of clerical staff, student employees and graduate assistants working in the Business Advisement Center.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED MAY 2021
