Director, Academic Advising

Texas A&M • College Station, TX

22h • 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 role collaborates with college-wide leadership to enhance academic advising programs, supervises senior academic advisors, and manages advising functions for the college. The Director will oversee daily advising operations, provide guidance to academic advising staff, manage new student conferences, and work with the Director of Student Success to align advising efforts with student success objectives.

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 and direct and supervise the lead advisor for each 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.
• Implement professional advising standards and best practices regarding the advising, retention, and graduation of students.
• Collaborate with college leadership providing information for effective decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with advising center supervisors and advising staff to foster teamwork and team building.
• Ensure 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.
• Provide 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.
• Work collaboratively with college leadership 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