Academic Advisor, Penn Engineering Online Programs

University of Pennsylvania•Woodworth, OH

2d•$24 - $30•Hybrid

About The Position

Penn Engineering Online is seeking a passionate higher education professional with experience in graduate-level academic advising for non-traditional, mid-career professional, or adult learners, providing students with the resources and support they need to persist to graduation. The Academic Advisor supports students who are enrolled in the online graduate degree and certificate programs from acceptance through graduation. The Academic Advisor is responsible for fostering student success and retention by advising students through multiple communication platforms, conducting anti-melt communication efforts, tracking student progress, and serving as a trusted collaborator for the course team. They are also responsible for upholding program and university policies and helping students understand how these policies directly affect their academic experience. Additionally, the Academic Advisor supports the Community Engagement Manager with engagement initiatives such as virtual and in-person events. Reporting to the Associate Director of Academic Advising, the Academic Advisor will join a collaborative team that is continually innovating and streamlining processes in a positive and dynamic work environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 2 - 3 years of related higher education experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and as a team member
Strong customer service skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Conduct day-to-day communication with degree students and advisees via email, phone, texting, office hours, and video-conferencing in a warm and professional manner, ensuring that all correspondence is addressed within 24 hours of receipt.
Advise students on curriculum, program policies, time management, program expectations, etc. Connect students to University resources as needed. Perform regular advising with students on academic warning or probation.
Host some weekend and evening advising sessions each month (weekday hours will be adjusted accordingly).
Track and maintain student records by recording advising notes, processing course-level petitions and student requests, performing degree audits, and reviewing prerequisite errors.
Create and maintain program information for students: Support new student onboarding by assisting with initial account set-up, hosting information sessions, communicating important dates and deadlines, etc. In collaboration with the Community Engagement Manager, maintain online resources for students such as the onboarding course, graduation course, and supplemental resources.
Support and promote community engagement with various efforts including but not limited to: coordinating online seminars and student networking events, oversee some student club initiatives, enrolling students in MOOCs, monitoring and seeding student Slack workspace and LinkedIn group, supporting in-person meet-ups and annual events such as Homecoming and Commencement, and SPARC.
Cross-train as an integral member of the Penn Engineering Online Student Affairs team and perform other duties, as assigned.

Benefits

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.