Advisor, Education Programs

Wilfrid Laurier University•Brantford, ON

2d•CA$43 - CA$49•Onsite

About The Position

Working in the Faculty of Education (FOE), the Advisor Education Programs will have the principal responsibility of co-ordinating and providing academic guidance to Faculty of Education undergraduate students at the Brantford campus. The Advisor: Education Programs is responsible for collaborating on academic processes of Laurier education programs, across campuses. The Advisor corresponds with staff at all Laurier campuses and institutional partners regarding student academic issues. The Advisor must operate with thorough knowledge of university regulations and their application to the Bachelor of Education (BEd), Teaching Option and Education Minor. They must work with a high degree of accuracy and be detail oriented. The Advisor will often see education students during periods of personal crisis, and must provide prompt, sympathetic and appropriate academic counsel. The Advisor, Education Programs is a support to the Dean, Associate Dean, and Chairs throughout the phases of program requirements for recruitment, progression, and graduation. The Advisor, Education Programs supports the academic success of students taking education courses, and as required, will collaborate with Admissions, Records, Recruitment, Service Laurier, Teaching and Learning Services, Wellness, Career Services, and other Laurier departments as needed. Externally, the Advisor, Education Programs collaborates with representatives from educational institutions such as Ontario College of Teachers, Ontario Teachers Federation and the Ministry of Education to provide appropriate professional development opportunities. The Advisor, Education Programs must have a sound understanding of the policies and regulations pertaining to the University Calendar, and be able to interpret student transcripts to identify and establish a plan of action to assist students who are at risk. The incumbent will act as the key resource person for the Faculty of Education and associated graduate Faculty graduate Officers by providing essential information to these areas to ensure continuity of services within the Faculty of Education. The Bachelor of Education program is governed by the Ontario College of Teachers. The B.Ed students must comply to various regulations/expectations in order to be recommended for certification as an Ontario teacher. In order to maintain the accreditation of our program, we must adhere to the Ontario College of Teacher’s expectations. The Advisor, Education Programs will be required to have a sound understanding of these regulations.

Requirements

Minimum Bachelor’s degree from a post-secondary institution; Preferred Bachelor of Education degree; plus 3 years related experience providing academic guidance and/or advising in a university environment
Demonstrated comprehensive understanding of academic programs, procedures, and policies at the undergraduate level, especially as related to the Bachelor of Education.
An understanding of the course offerings, strengths, and academic culture of education programs
Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to handle a wide range of queries and problems with discretion, compassion and firmness as required.
Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage shifting priorities, implement strategic planning and the ability to manage new initiatives
Demonstrated experience in developing and presenting workshops
Demonstrated skill and interest in providing academic advice and effective advising skills
Excellent technical skills including knowledge of Word, Excel, Banner and Cognos
Demonstrated initiative, ability to work independently and under pressure
Detail-oriented and a high degree of accuracy in the performance of all tasks
Proven experience as a team player and leader.
Proven ability to identify problems and to deal with complex situations by probing for information, analyzing complex situations, and providing solutions.
Demonstrated sensitivity and discretion in interacting with the internal/external community, regarding petitions, academic misconduct and other academic matters.
Proven ability to respond quickly and decisively in a crisis in a calm and reasonable manner.
Positive conflict resolution skills
Exceptional customer service skills
Ability to present a professional image of the Faculty of Education

Nice To Haves

Prior teaching experience considered an asset
Event planning experience considered an asset

Responsibilities

Works with the Dean/ Associate Dean, BEd and Teaching Option/Education Minor Chairs/ to set priorities and determine responsibilities for the academic year in relation to other institutional partners as needed for the purposes of information exchange and problem solving.
Meets weekly with the Associate Dean and/or designate to address questions related to advising
Develops resources for students, including planning sessions, developing and approving promotional material, delivering relevant sessions and hosting webinars.
Under the supervision of the Associate Dean, reviews and updates the Academic Advising section of the website and the Academic Calendar sections pertaining to three undergraduate Education courses/programs (B.Ed, Education Minor and Teaching Option)
Administers the progression and graduation determinations for the education students, including, calculating GPA, making recommendations regarding special accommodations, proposing solutions and program changes, and determining eligibility of relevant student graduation and Ontario College of Teachers certification requirements.
Review and implement policies and regulations in order to comply with the Ontario College of Teacher’s regulations for the B.Ed program.
Review and interpret the requirements for Year 1 and Year 2 BEd students in order to ensure proper progression through the program.
Review and implement progression requirements for Education Minor and Teaching Option students.
Collects, organizes, and analyzes data on enrolment and student performance.
Thoroughly documents all student engagement and communications through transcribing meetings and conversations with students, ensuring accurate and current student files.
Collaborates with Chairs to provide support and develop effective advising across programs
Updates the Academic calendar, assists with minor curriculum changes and approval processes
Liaises with Coordinators/Chairs, administrators in other Faculties, and other administrative units (such as Wellness Centre, the Writing Centre, Accessible Learning and Enrolment Services) regarding academic regulations and policies and student referral
Responds to the changing needs of education students through the innovative development of advising initiatives suitable to current student needs, including but not limited to workshops, peer mentoring, webinars, newsletters for education students
Participates in regular meetings of all university Academic Coordinators to discuss consistent application of regulations and procedures and advance seamless support to education students
Designs, authors and edits written communication and educational materials
Review content on the BEd, Education Minor and Teaching option websites to ensure sites are up-to-date
Refers inquiries as necessary to the Dean and/or Associate Dean or to the appropriate academic department
Creates and develops new communications strategies for students.
Coordinates a broad range of communication functions to students and instructors via email, website and other communication.
Provides relevant content and updates to the program websites to ensure its effectiveness as a communication tool
Responsible for reviewing Program Handbooks, determine necessary changes and review with Asscoiate Dean and Chair, collaborates with Program Assistant regarding the implementation of changes.
Organizes the Orientation and Transition Day for incoming and graduating students in collaboration with the Associate Dean and Chair and schedules various professional development events for students. Liasing with external organizations (ie/Teacher Federations, Principals, School Board Administrators etc.)
Provides day-to-day guidance and information to current and incoming Education students, including degree requirements, and relevant regulations and procedures in relation to students’ academic success.
Establish office hours to service and respond to education students’ inquiries; being open to multiple interruptions during the day.
Researches and provides information to education students about available and appropriate resources for student success
Refers with recommendations, permissions and other materials requiring a Dean and/or Associate Dean’s signature as appropriate and communicates decisions to the Registrar’s Office.
First point of contact in assessing student needs during periods of personal and academic crisis and provides procedural guidance on petitions, withdrawal from the University and other academic issues as well as making recommendations regarding student action plans
Reviews academic records of potential graduates to ensure that they have fulfilled all program requirements.
Monitors progress of “at-risk” education students; engages in pro-active communication with them; directs them to appropriate resources on campus (advising, educational and professional)
Assists with the preparation, review, and update of the Academic Calendar
Orient education students in the use of MyDegree, an online educational planning tool. Identifies potential errors with MyDegree and ensures prompt resolution.
Investigates and resolves complex student issues, evaluates requests for student academic concession and provides appropriate advice, action, and follow-up.
Assists education students with class scheduling (adds, drops, and withdraws) and provides guidance with enrollment related issues (pre-requisites, holds, restrictions, etc.).
Provides proactive engagement through student success campaigns to targeted student populations, leveraging data-driven and holistic interventions.
Assists with scheduling of courses in the Bachelor of Education program and Teaching Option/Education Minor courses, monitoring enrolments and waitlists
Collaborates with B.Ed leadership team on Professional Development opportunities regarding events with Teacher Federations, Ontario College of Teachers, EQAO, etc.
Coordinates Career Services events including Career Fairs/employment presentations, mock interviews, resume writing, etc.
Coordinates with Awards Office to determine awards available to the education students
Develops process for applying for FOE student awards and distributes the procedures to education students
Collaborates with colleagues in Waterloo and Brantford to develop course builds
Assists with the registration process for education students including approving registration documents, responding to in-person, email, and telephone inquiries from students regarding course registration, and following-up with appropriate departments to ensure student issues are resolved.
Collaborates with colleagues in Waterloo and Brantford in the development of transition and retention programming for new and returning education students.
Develops and delivers programming for Orientation and Transition Sessions, including on campus and online events in collaboration with Coordinator: Education Programs (Waterloo), Chairs and Associate Dean.
Collaborates with the Practicum Office to coordinate schedules, provide advisement regarding student progress and serves on related committees
Create synergies with the Practicum Office to coordinate schedules, provide advisement regarding student progress and serve on related committees
Participates in retention and recruitment initiatives as directed by the Dean and/or Associate Dean and Chair, including collaboration with the Career Development team in workshop facilitation for students and faculties
Liaises with the Recruitment Office to provide up-to-date information about recruitment events and about the BEd and undergraduate EM/Teaching Option
Recruits prospective education students through participation in on and off campus recruitment initiatives, including open houses, webinars, and Ontario Universities Fair (OUF)
Maintains current knowledge of Academic Advising standards and best practices by attending and presenting at conferences and workshops.
Maintains current knowledge of the Ontario College of Teachers policies, regulations and progression pertaining to BEd students.
Maintains current knowledge of Education Minor and Teaching Option policies and progression requirements.
Undertakes continuous learning and skill development in the context of student transition, retention and engagement with the primary purpose of developing, in conjunction with the Associate Dean, the most effective student engagement strategies.
Maintains membership in Academic Advising organizations.
Assists in refining and expanding of the overall academic advising process including the organization of individual and group advising
Other activities/responsibilities as assigned by the Associate Dean in the support of the function of Academic Advising, including representation on committees, providing input to university publications, conducting research, attending conferences, workshops, promotional events, etc.
Evaluates and makes strategic recommendations for areas of potential improvement and growth in Academic Advising and develops changes and policies to suit.
Proactively identifies and informs the Dean, Associate Dean and Coordinators of potential improvements related to curriculum, course offerings, course filters, MyDegree, etc.
The incumbent would oversee students who volunteer for events, etc.
Will also be responsible for working with work study students, EdSoc students and any temp students.