POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Departmental Academic Advisor
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1154
GRADE 41
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Department Head
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR College Dean
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Departmental Academic Advisor assists undergraduate students (and as appropriate, graduate students) in the development of academic schedules appropriate for their stated educational goals and guides students in decision-making and learning how to accept responsibility for their decisions. The Advisor maintains necessary records and files to monitor the academic progress of students, reviews transfer evaluation forms on all transfer students, and may represent the Department during Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) sessions and other special events, and/or, with the appropriate educational background, teach a course(s) each semester.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor's degree is required; a degree in the discipline taught in the department is preferred. A master's degree is preferred.
Experience: This position requires no minimum experience, however experience in either teaching, counseling and/or advisement at the university/college level is preferred.
Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills, in particular the ability to work with the public in person and by telephone, are required. Strong verbal and written communication skills are required. Computer literacy is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides an essential student service of advisement to undergraduate (and as appropriate, graduate) students by assisting them in the development of academic schedules appropriate for their stated educational goals, guiding them in decision-making and learning how to accept responsibility for their decisions.
2. Facilitates the academic progress of students toward completion of a degree by auditing the academic records of students relative to degree program requirements, advising them of their status, and counseling students regarding curriculum deficiencies in terms of the completion of required courses for the degree and in terms of grades received in courses already completed.
3. Prevents unnecessary repeating of courses already taken at other institutions by transfer students by reviewing the transfer evaluation form to determine the equivalency of listed courses to required SMSU courses, and making a recommendation to the Department Head regarding its appropriate SMSU equivalent.
4. Manages the enrollment in courses by reviewing requests for class adds and drops, recommending approval for add requests, and approving drop requests which are appropriate for the student and his/her academic major.
5. May advise potential and declared majors regarding the requirements for the degree and/or the various areas of emphasis during the Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) Program and/or, with the appropriate educational background, may teach a class(s) each semester.
6. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
7. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Department Head.
8. Contributes to the overall success of the Department by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Departmental Academic Advisor receives general supervision from the Department Head (or designated administrator) and may be required to exercise supervision of others.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED DECEMBER 2022
