Advisor

University of Wisconsin Stout•Menomonie, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of TRIO Student Support Services, the Retention Specialist (working title SSS Advisor) assesses and provides retention activities and services to college students who are first generation, students who meet federal low-income criteria, and students with disabilities in individual, group, classroom, and electronic formats. The SSS Advisor manages a caseload of 120 students in identifying obstacles which affect retention, academic progress, and degree completion. The SSS Advisor provides individualized support and resources that align with student academic needs through an enhancement of services to overcome barriers to college success. The SSS Advisor monitor students' academic progress through Blumen, Access Stout, EAB Navigate, Stellic, and individual student meetings. The SSS Advisor provides resources and training that enhance academic skills, leadership skills, career planning, graduate school exploration and financial aid and literacy education. The SSS Advisor provides comprehensive advising and case management through communication and collaboration with Stout departments, resources, and community providers to create a climate of student success fully and effectively.

Requirements

Minimum bachelor’s degree required in higher education, social work, education, counseling, educational leadership, or related fields.
Minimum of (2) years of experience advising and assisting Student Support Services eligible students (first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities) with academic advising, financial aid information and processes, economic literacy, and career development/obtainment
Professional/Personal experience or knowledge of overcoming barriers similar to project participants (first-generation college students, low-income students, and students with disabilities)
Formal training and/or work experience in programming that promotes the annual retention, persistence, academic standing and graduation rates of Student Support Services eligible students
Formal training and/or work experience in serving students with disabilities (examples: knowledge/experience of the accommodations process, knowledge or implementation of universal design, and/or knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act)
Demonstrated success working within a team environment

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in higher education, social work, education, counseling, educational leadership or related fields from an accredited college or university
Professional experience working with a TRIO federal program or similar related program/project
Experience instructing courses or workshops in academic success skills content
Experience with database and engagement platforms and software such as: Blumen, PeopleSoft, Canvas, Canva, Microsoft Office Suite, EAB Navigate, Stellic

Responsibilities

Maintain regular communication with a caseload of 120 TRIO SSS participants.
Provide holistic advising to support academic, personal, financial, and career goal achievement.
Monitor academic performance, FAFSA completion, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and student business accounts (including holds, due dates, and fees/fines).
Collaborate with participants to assess needs, develop Individual Student Success Plans, and track progress toward goal completion.
Instruct, as needed, a total of 2 credits of TRIO SSS project courses, which may include TRDIS 120 – Strategies for Academic Success (2 credits) or TRDIS 121 – Strategies for Successful Career Development (1 credit each).
Ensure program compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies by providing accurate documentation, providing required and permissible services, and meeting program objectives.
Enter participant data, services, and records into the TRIO SSS project database to fulfill U.S. Department of Education reporting requirements.
Partner with college departments, faculty, tutors, and academic support staff to advocate for participants and address identified academic needs.