Director, Academic Advising

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general direction from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, this position is responsible for the advising, retention, and graduation of undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. This position works with college-wide leadership to improve academic advising programs related to undergraduate and graduate student advising, retention and graduation rates. In addition, this position supervises senior academic advisors in each advising center and provides oversight and management of advising functions for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Director of Advising will oversee daily advising operations and provide guidance for academic advising staff in the college. The Director of Advising will oversee new student conferences and work with the Director of Student Success to ensure that the college’s advising staff contributes to the achievement of objectives and outcomes related to student success.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in agriculture or Life Sciences, Student Affairs, Higher Education, or related field.
• Ten (10) years of related experience in higher education, includes at least 3 years of experience with academic advising, academic programs, and student support programs.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure understanding.
• Ability to be helpful, respectful, approachable, and team oriented.
• Ability to build strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Nice To Haves

• Five (5) years of experience with academic advising.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience advising undergraduate and graduate student populations.
• Experience working with campus organizations like records, admissions, registrar, and financial aid.
• Experience using Education Advisor Board’s Navigate system and the university COMPASS system.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation applications.
• Demonstrated academic professional writing skills.
• Proficiency in project management software.
• Excellent data analytical skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of processes related to student recruitment, admission, retention, and graduation.
• Strong supervisory skills and a proven track record of supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and leadership in the development and maintenance of academic advising standards for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
• Oversee the college’s advising centers.
• Direct and supervise the lead advisor for each advising center.
• Assist with hiring and provide training for academic advising staff.
• Oversee new student conferences.
• Track objectives and outcomes throughout each semester in consultation with the academic associate dean and the director of student success.
• Streamline and strengthen undergraduate and graduate academic advising in the college in consultation with the academic associate dean and with input from academic advisors.
• Implement professional advising standards and best practices regarding the advising, retention, and graduation of students.
• Works collaboratively with college leadership providing information for effective decision-making.
• Works collaboratively with advising center supervisors and advising staff to foster teamwork and team building.
• Ensures that adequate data on academic advising is collected, maintained, and disseminated to the academic associate dean and other appropriate college leadership.
• Collaborate with other college staff to create, maintain, assess, and modify intervention strategies to increase student success, retention, and completion.
• Maintain professional relationships with academic and student support offices across campus.
• Oversee and implement academic advising award committee.
• Review and make decisions on all readmission applicants.
• Oversee professional development funding for academic advisors.
• Serve on college and university level committees related to academic advising.
• Provides guidance, resources, and communications to lead advisors to support adherence to university and college rules and processes.
• Identify areas of need and implement professional development programs and opportunities for COALS advising staff.
• Connect with satellite advising hub locations on a routine basis (e.g., weekly).
• Work collaboratively with college leadership (e.g., Director of Student Success, Director of Operations, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, etc.) and serve as advising liaison to help support related college goals.
• Track objectives and outcomes throughout each semester in consultation with the academic associate dean and the director of student success
• Collect, maintain and disseminate data on academic advising, student load, etc.
• Track professional development funding for academic advisors
• Advise students in the AGLS program, the college’s student retention program.
• Serve as an instructor for a section of the college’s First Year Experience course (AGLS 125) or other course(s) as appropriate.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director