POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director, McQueary College of Health and Human Services Academic Advisement Center/Student Success Specialist
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1275
GRADE 46
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Dean, McQueary College of Health and Human Services
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director, McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) Academic Advisement Center/Student Success Specialist directs, plans, implements, and coordinates the activities and operations of the MCHHS Academic Advisement Center. The Director, MCHHS Academic Advisement Center/Student Success Specialist serves as a liaison between faculty and academic departments to foster college-wide communication and to support the mission and strategic initiatives of the College and University as they specifically relate to academic advising and student success/retention. The Director, MCHHS Academic Advisement Center/Student Success Specialist manages the center’s budget and staff, hires, supervises, trains, and evaluates staff, and ensures advising resources are effectively utilized to provide comprehensive academic advising and support services for undergraduate students within the College. In collaboration with MCHHS administration, the Director, MCHHS Academic Advisement Center/Student Success Specialist establishes long-and short-range goals and objectives related to student recruitment and retention activities, including coordinating MCHHS representation/participation in various student events, utilizes college-wide data to maximize student success practices and procedures, serves as a liaison between the College and University to proactively support and participate in campus-wide efforts to facilitate retention and graduation, and serves on the College leadership team.
MIMUMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master’s degree in a discipline with MCHHS or a closely related area 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 advising various student populations, including academically at-risk 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. Computer literacy is required.
Other: The scope of the position occasionally requires work in the evenings and on weekends, especially during the summer SOAR sessions and recruitment events.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures that the essential student service of quality academic advisement is provided to students in MCHHS by establishing a student-oriented advising environment.
2. Ensures the success of the MCHHS Academic Advisement Center through the development of policies, procedures, and advisement guidelines, the preparation of long- and short-range goals and objectives, setting priorities for meeting student advising needs, and evaluating progress toward accomplishment of those goals and objectives.
3. Assigns advisor training and development activities to ensure that academic advisors are provided with accurate information about campus resources, rules and regulations, and academic programs.
4. 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.
5. Coordinates the services of the MCHHS Academic Advisement Center with units within the College by regular communication with academic department heads, faculty, and staff.
6. Provides an essential student service of academic advising by being knowledgeable of academic policies and procedures unique to Missouri State University, 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, and directing students to resources within the University that provide further assistance in making career, major, and academic choices.
7. Develops a competent and effective advisement staff by providing opportunities and support for professional development, assigning appropriate academic advising responsibilities, and evaluating individual performance.
8. Manages funds by planning, developing, and controlling the MCHHS Academic Advisement Center 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 requested by the MCHHS Dean.
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 as directed by the MCHHS Dean.
12. Contributes to the overall success of MCHHS by performing all other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Director, MCHHS Academic Advisement Center/Student Success Specialist is supervised by the Dean, MCHHS and supervises professional, clerical, and support personned.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2025