POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director of Advising and Academic Support
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5667
GRADE 45
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director of Advising and Academic Support implements the proactive academic advisement program of the University by supervising professional academic advisor(s) and providing training and direction to faculty advisors. The Director of Advising and Academic Support 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 Director of Advising and Academic Support coordinates veterans' services, testing services, and disability services and provides proactive services to at-risk students.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master's degree from an accredited institution is required with an emphasis in counseling or a related field preferred.
Experience: At least three years of full-time experience in teaching and/or advising in higher education is required. Supervisory experience is required.
Skills: Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills (particularly in working with a diverse population), and organizational and management skills. Computer literacy in database applications is needed. 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. Prepares and distributes the Academic Advisor Manual to all advisors to provide up-to-date information regarding policies and procedures related to advisement of students.2. Assigns advisors to students and processes change of advisor requests.
3. Supervises academic advisement personnel to ensure positive experiences for students entering the university.
4. Provides an essential student service of academic advisement by being knowledgeable of academic policies and procedures unique to Missouri State University-West Plains that facilitate the advisement process and assists assigned students in the development of academic schedules appropriate for their stated educational goals.
5. Guides students in decision-making and learning how to accept responsibility for their decisions, assists all students (not just advisees) seeking academic information, assists pre-majors in the selection of academic majors, and directs students to resources within the University that provide assistance in making career and academic major choices.
6. Ensures the effectiveness of the advising process by maintaining advisee files on all assigned advisees, regularly updating advisee academic reports, and validating the information contained in the advisee files with the student database.
7. Assumes full responsibility for planning, coordinating and overseeing the STAR (Student Advisement and Registration) program.
8. Coordinates activities with other offices on campus to ensure that the process of recruitment, admission, and advising of students is provided to students in an effective manner.
9. Initiates contact with and provides at-risk students with proactive academic advisement and individual counseling for student success.
10. Coordinates with the Student Support Specialist who provides assistance to students submitting appropriate documentation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations approval, as well as specialized guidance and counseling to those students who qualify.
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, attending training and/or courses, and encourages employee participation in professional training and development opportunities offered at the campus.
13. Contributes to the overall success of academic advisement by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Advising and Academic Support supervises professional academic advisors, success coaches, and administrative support staff in the Office of Advising and Academic Support. The Director of Advising and Academic Support reports to the Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED AUGUST 2022
