Coordinator, Academic Collaborations and Pathways

Wilfrid Laurier University

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Manager, Academic Pathways and Partnerships, the Academic Collaborations and Pathways Coordinator (ACPC) serves as the primary contact for students entering international pathways at Wilfrid Laurier University. This role involves providing independent counseling and guidance to undergraduate students, especially those facing academic difficulties. Key responsibilities include assisting with course registration, planning student success workshops, and organizing pre-departure workshops for students studying abroad. The position is based in Waterloo, with occasional travel to partnership institutions and a requirement to work at the Brantford campus approximately two days per week, as directed by the manager. The ACPC offers academic advice to incoming students, helps first-year students transition to post-secondary education, and advises students transferring into partnership programs. The incumbent manages the pre-departure process for students across all year levels and partnerships, including scheduling webinars and ensuring timely preparation and submission of transcripts and documentation. A thorough understanding of University policies, regulations, and resources (such as the Teaching and Learning Centre, Wellness Centre, Writing Centre, Accessible Learning, Enrolment Services, and Laurier International) is essential. The ACPC also plays a crucial role in recruitment by providing detailed information on international pathway opportunities to prospective students. The successful candidate must interact with students, parents/guardians, and faculty with sensitivity, discretion, and professionalism, and the role has a university-wide mandate to ensure equitable service delivery across all campuses.

Requirements

A minimum of 2-4 years of experience providing academic advising to students
Excellent administrative and organizational skills
Proven ability to work independently in organizing and prioritizing work
Well-developed understanding and strong familiarity with the Faculty of Arts, FHSS, FLA, and Science program requirements
Familiarity with the accreditation process for those who have obtained a law degree outside of Canada
Proven ability to handle unexpected issues and crisis situations with tact, diplomacy, discretion and professionalism
Proven ability to interact with wide range of university and external personnel is essential
Excellent problem-solving skills
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
Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks
Detail-oriented and a high degree of accuracy in the performance of all tasks
Excellent technical skills including knowledge of Word, Excel, Banner and Cognos
Demonstrated skill in providing academic advice and effective advising skills
Experience delivering effective presentations to internal and external audiences

Nice To Haves

Two years related experience

Responsibilities

Acts as a resource for students, including planning and delivering student success sessions, developing promotional material across all partnerships
Collects, organizes, and analyzes data on enrolment and student success
Coordinate events for current students with various campus partners: Career Centre, Laurier International, the Library, and all relevant partnership institutions
Develop and lead pre-departure workshops for students on costs, timeline of events, and application processes for all partnership institutions
Develop and lead annual welcome sessions to formally introduce incoming and returning students to their requirements for the new academic year
With international partners, organize pre-departure webinars for students on housing, finances, life abroad, and arriving in a foreign country
Facilitate group meetings and social events across all partnerships (orientation meetings, regular check-in meetings)
Help support Learning Clusters by meeting with the Student Cluster Leaders as needed
Work closely with VFS Global (Visa Facilitation Services Global) to arrange visa appointments for students in the program, duties include organizing appointments and liaising with VSF Global on behalf of the students
Assist all students with course registration through BANNER by pre-enrolling them in mandatory courses, and working closely with them to ensure they are on track in completing their specific degree requirements
Work with chair/program coordinators to ensure adequate space in courses for students in all partnerships
Lead the application process for students applying to various partnership institutions through their desired application system. Support students by holding workshops, assisting them in their application, approving applications, writing reference letters, and sending transcripts to their desired institution
Liaise with Sussex and the National Committee of Accreditation (NCA) to get official transcripts from Sussex sent to the NCA in time for students to write their NCA exams
Work with the Manager, BA/LLB Sussex Partnership on the development and facilitation of the Laurier Law Council, a mentorship program designed to support students moving through the Law programs at Laurier
One-on-one meetings to provide counsel with students regarding available options based on progression requirements, particularly those who have issues following their direct program plan
Complete progression checks each term to ensure students have the correct courses and GPA requirements. Invite students in for meetings if they are not meeting GPA requirements
Liaise with department chairs/coordinators with respect to department specific student issues
Provides day-to-day guidance and information to current and incoming students, including degree requirements, and relevant regulations and procedures in relation to students’ academic success
Assists students with class scheduling (adds, drops, overrides and withdraws) and provides guidance with enrollment related issues (pre-requisites, holds, restrictions, etc.)
Provides proactive engagement through student success campaigns to students in the programs
Assists with progression checks including, calculating GPA, making recommendations regarding special accommodations, and proposing solutions
Develop and distribute monthly “what you need to know” communications for students in all programs to keep them informed on upcoming events, dates, and deadlines
Recruits prospective students into all partnership programs though participation in on- and off-campus recruitment initiatives, including open houses, webinars, and Ontario Universities Fair (OUF)
Coordinate prospective student events when international program representatives are visiting campus including booking rooms, co-ordinating campus tours with the Welcome Centre, inviting prospective students, tracking RSVP’s and responding to any inquires about the program
Write content for, and recruit alumni to participate in the alumni letter campaign to be sent to prospective students each recruitment cycle
Participate in the development and creation of our yearly recruitment strategy for all partnership programs
As part of the recruitment strategy, develop a social media campaign, including the planning, filming, and development of social media content
Plan for, and facilitate program specific recruitment events such as “high-flyer receptions” as an opportunity to acknowledge the success of program applicants
Write content to ensure that program information on prospective student site is up to date. Content includes pathway information, statistics and student testimonials
Social media takeovers to promote existing partnerships and pathways
Write content and work with Creative Services for design of promotional material such as brochures, department specific handouts and conversion emails to prospective students
Stay connected with students studying abroad to check-in, provide Laurier updates and keep them apprised of any job prospects
Regular communication with all partnership institutions and the International Recruitment Office at Sussex regarding prospective student numbers, updates about Laurier, identify ways to strengthen the program, and student issues with those abroad
Establish strong and reliable relationships with alumni across all partnerships to collaborate on recruitment initiatives and current student information sessions
Collaborate on the organization of a variety of alumni initiatives such as graduation parties, program milestone celebrations, and alumni events (law networking receptions, etc)
Assist current students with professional networking and career development through the continued development of alumni programming