Senior Academic Advisor, Biology

Tufts University•Medford, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The professionals in Undergraduate Education foster student growth, empowerment, and success by serving, advising, guiding, nurturing, and celebrating our students, and working with them and our faculty to solve problems so that students may successfully navigate the university. We focus on the academic aspect of students’ lives at Tufts, providing information, advice, and support to help them successfully complete their degrees in a timely manner while ensuring that our students have an enriching and rewarding academic experience. To that end, we provide students with tutoring, advising, academic support, direction, and accurate information. We also provide academic enrichment programs and opportunities so that students may reach their full potential and achieve their best. We collaborate with faculty and other departments to advocate for students and improve the academic experience for all students as well as the policies governing undergraduate study at Tufts.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Biology or related field
Demonstrated interest or experience in Biology or related fields
Two or more years’ experience in college or university setting as an instructor, advisor, tutor, mentor or administrator
Commitment to advising, mentoring, and guiding college students
Superior interpersonal skills, including flexibility and approachability
Excellent skills in written and oral communication; able to write, edit, and proofread educational documents and other publications.
Confidence and experience in teaching, public speaking, or giving effective presentations before large groups.
Proficient with technology, including various software programs and applications for writing documents, making spreadsheets, creating databases, producing brochures and slideshows, and communicating through web-based audio-video services.
Ability to work independently, think on one’s feet, set priorities, and manage time effectively.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Biology or related field
Additional experience working in the arts or other areas of university student services, such as student affairs, campus life programs, college learning center, multicultural affairs, bridge programs, and retention programs is beneficial.
Dedication to serving and supporting a diverse student population, including students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, students with disabilities, and students who do not conform to gender stereotypes.
Proficient with a variety of social media platforms and tools for sharing documents, images, and video online.

Responsibilities

Serve as a proactive academic advisor to undeclared undergraduate students.
Support students in their engagement with the curriculum, help them navigate university procedures and make informed decisions about choice of major, and act as an accessible source for information about curriculum requirements, course selection, and campus resources.
Provide logistical support, programming, research, and data analysis for a team-based approach to pre-major advising, New Student Orientation, the First Year Experience, and undergraduate retention efforts.
Act as a liaison between the Department of Biology and programs in place to advance student success as they pursue the various post-graduation degree programs.
Maintain active collaboration with the undergraduate advising team through regular meetings, shared advising practices, and coordinated student support efforts.
Provide programming support to the Department of Biology and faculty advisors within the department, which may include creation and editing of advising materials, planning and logistical support for on-campus events, and delivery of presentations, online seminars, and interactive events.
Conduct research, compile data, and provide analysis and program assessment on various efforts to track, promote, and improve student retention and on-time graduation, related to department curriculum and advising.
Assist faculty advisors and Associate Deans of Undergraduate Advising in supporting majors who need more attention or are struggling with academics or adjustment to Tufts.
Keep up-to-date and professional notes in Portfolio system and promptly share concerns with Associate Deans.
Maintain discretion and student privacy when communicating with faculty, staff, and other students; keep student records confidential.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of Department of Biology majors.