Senior Academic Advisor & Retention Specialist - University Academic Advising

Texas Woman’s University•Denton, TX

10h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist provides academic advising and retention support to undergraduate students at Texas Woman’s University. The Senior Academic Advisor reports to a designated advising administrator in University Academic Advising and supports a diverse population of students, including pre-nursing, first-generation, Pell-eligible, DACA, or underrepresented student populations. This position promotes student persistence and retention by addressing barriers that may impact student success and degree completion. The Senior Academic Advisor monitors, tracks, and measures student retention through metrics such as continued enrollment, migration to a new major, completed credit hours, and academic standing. They will implement retention projects that support the institution's enrollment goals and collaborate with campus stakeholders on university-wide initiatives to increase the persistence of current and unenrolled students. The Senior Academic Advisor will be assigned additional advising duties during peak advising periods, registration, and orientation. They will analyze data to create projects that support enrollment and retention goals and department advising initiatives. Work is performed independently under limited supervision and performance is based upon completion of assignments and results obtained. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Five years of academic advising experience is required.
Work independently, and communicate institutional policies, procedures, and language to the general population.
Use professional judgment in ambiguous situations.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Work effectively and collaboratively in a diverse work environment.
Work in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and changing needs.
Knowledge of Texas Woman's University policies and procedures.
Experience with undergraduate degree programs in general subject areas of placement.
Establishes and maintains positive work relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the public.
Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email.
Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.
All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, or related degree is preferred.
Work experience with vulnerable, first generation, and non-traditional student populations is strongly preferred.
Knowledge of NACADA best practices preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides proactive advising to current students about academic requirements and selection of courses.
Conducts advising sessions using multiple platforms (in-person, email, phone, virtual).
Assists students with short and long-term program evaluation and degree planning.
Analyzes and processes degree audits, change of major, and other required academic forms.
Assists students in understanding university and state rules for college readiness, course repetition, credit limits, and related guidelines required to graduate in a timely manner.
Uses computer software and university data systems to maintain records and document advising interactions (TSI compliance, Student Planning, Colleague, GMedia, etc.).
Connects students to relevant on-campus and off-campus resources.
Identifies and advises students who are not reaching degree program and academic milestones as defined by university policies and academic program requirements.
Prepares reports on student progress and creates interventions to address student barriers to success.
Monitors and tracks the retention, progression, and graduation of students within assigned cohorts.
Guides students in using university resources and academic planning to enhance retention and graduation rates.
Designs and implements individualized outreach to students who are identified as academically vulnerable.
Assists with the implementation of university retention strategies.
Represents advising at campus events and programs.
Supports students in reaching their academic and career goals.
Provides advising at new student and transfer student orientation programs.
Provides mentorship to advisors pertaining to best practices and university policy.
Establishes and maintains contact with university departments to clarify and document departmental expectations for advising.
Promotes positive working relationships with students, staff, and faculty.
Participates in advisor professional development and training.
Supports advising initiatives as directed by University Academic Advising.
Performs other duties as requested.