Prison Education Program - Senior Advisor

Adams State University•Alamosa, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a twelve-month, at-will, full-time position with primary responsibility for recruiting incarcerated students, facilitating the transition of students to an assigned advisor, and supervising and training advisors with the primary responsibility of recruiting incarcerated students, managing student records and advising incarcerated students in two-year associate, four-year bachelor, and MBA degree programs offered by the Prison Education Program (PEP). The Senior Advisor will supervise advisors to develop student support mechanisms appropriate for correspondence courses. This individual will work directly with people and provide high customer care while fostering supportive relationships with new and current print-based correspondence students. This individual will work directly with incarcerated students for a significant portion of the job. This individual will work collaboratively with the staff of the PEP, correctional facilities, and other educational institutions to provide quality off-campus, print-based undergraduate and MBA programs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience.
Ability to collaborate and work with other units regarding issues of diversity and community
Ability to communicate with key senior management, faculty, and administrators regarding issues that impact justice-involved students.
Ability to exercise discretion, confidentiality, and excellent judgment in responding to conversational, sensitive, and/or emotional issues and situations.
Ability to assess, design, implement, and evaluate effective programming and policies as related to this position
Ability to work well independently and follow through on projects with minimal direction
Ability to effectively administer and coordinate a variety of concurrent and ongoing activities
Ability to interact professionally and effectively and collaborate with diverse constituencies
Ability to recruit, train, and support students in work-study positions
Ability to work effectively as a team member
Ability to take on new tasks and respond quickly and courteously
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related field and 3 to 5 years of relevant experience
Experience directly supervising or leading a small team.
Experience with the incarcerated population
Demonstrated understanding of the local, state, and federal prison system
Student advising experience
Direct personal or family lived experience with the justice system with a demonstrated ability to translate that insight into effective peer support or student advocacy

Responsibilities

Supervise, mentor, and train Advisors within the Prison Education Program.
Support the Program Coordinator in developing and maintaining relationships with external agencies and correctional partners.
Assist the Director in evaluating academic processes, including instruction, advising, and student support services, and recommend continuous improvements.
Coordinate scholarship opportunities in collaboration with the Director.
Support other Prison Education Program operational needs as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Serve as the primary Pell advisor, assisting students with recruitment, admissions applications, FAFSA completion, registration, degree planning, and transfer credit evaluations.
Facilitate the transfer of Ohio University students into Adams State University programs.
Advise incarcerated students pursuing associate, bachelor's, and MBA degree programs through print-based correspondence coursework.
Coordinate orientation for incoming Pell students in collaboration with the Program Coordinator.
Pursue short-term and long-term recruitment, advising, retention, and student success goals.
Serve as the primary point of contact for outreach and recruitment efforts with incarcerated individuals at correctional facilities, providing follow-up as needed.
Collaborate with the Financial Aid Office to support Pell-eligible students throughout the financial aid process.
Work with Prison Education Program Advisors to develop and implement recruitment, marketing, advising, and student engagement strategies.
Collaborate with Adams State University faculty and campus departments to resolve student concerns related to correspondence and Pell-supported courses.
Report student information to appropriate university offices, including Financial Aid and the Registrar.
Coordinate advisor travel to correctional facilities to support recruitment efforts.
Align transfer advising processes with university policies while addressing the unique needs of incarcerated students, including transfer agreements, course articulation, and admissions support.
Develop, implement, and maintain efficient processes that streamline admissions, registration, and course completion.
Develop and maintain records management systems, processes, and procedures supporting Pell, correspondence, and non-degree-seeking students.
Create, implement, and update advising and recruitment policies and procedures.
Ensure institutional processes support the appropriate use of veterans' educational benefits.
Ensure advising, recruitment, and operational processes comply with university policies and procedures.