Student Advisor and Outreach Coordinator - Department of Computer Science

James Madison University•Harrisonburg, VA

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Computer Science (CS) invites applications for a full-time, 12-month Student Advisor and Outreach Coordinator for Computer Science and Information Technology. Reporting to the Academic Unit Head, this position serves undergraduate students in both programs (as needed) through developmental academic advising, proactive student-success and retention support, transition and community programming, and outreach to prospective students. The successful candidate will join a collaborative advising and faculty team and will work closely with department leadership, campus partners, student ambassadors, and student organizations. This is an excellent opportunity for a student-centered professional who enjoys combining one-to-one advising with program coordination, outreach, and thoughtful use of data to improve the student experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Experience supporting undergraduate students through academic advising, student success, teaching, mentoring, admissions, retention, or a closely related setting.
Demonstrated experience working both independently and collaboratively, and managing competing priorities.
Demonstrated experience exercising sound judgement when handling confidential information, with a track record of maintaining confidentiality and following established protocols.
Demonstrated knowledge of office and communication technologies.
Demonstrated experience with management of student-information, advising, web-content, and reporting systems.
Demonstrated ability to support access, belonging, and academic success for students from varied backgrounds.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong organization, attention to detail, time management, follow-through, and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, education, information technology, computer science, or a related field.
Professional academic-advising or comparable higher-education experience working directly with undergraduates.
Experience supporting students in computing, engineering, or another STEM discipline.
Experience with proactive advising, retention initiatives, early-alert or case-management practices, transfer students, first-generation students, or students experiencing academic difficulty.
Experience coordinating outreach, recruiting, orientation, ambassador, peer-mentor, or student-engagement programs.
Experience with student-information or advising systems, Excel or comparable data tools, and Cascade or another content-management system.
Knowledge of current trends and evidence-based practices in academic advising and higher education.

Responsibilities

Provide developmental academic advising to an assigned caseload of CS and IT students through individual and group meetings, both in person and virtually.
Help students develop academic plans that reflect their interests and goals and accurately address General Education, major, admission, progression, and degree requirements.
Participate in transfer-student advising, first-year orientation, and other department and university advising programs.
Monitor academic progress; conduct proactive outreach; coach students in effective help-seeking and self-advocacy; and connect students with appropriate university resources.
Support students experiencing academic difficulty, including students on probation or suspension, in understanding expectations and developing realistic improvement plans.
Coordinate the IT Ambassador Program, including ambassador selection, onboarding, training, scheduling, resources, and assessment.
Plan prospective-student outreach such as email and postcard campaigns, departmental tours, information sessions, admitted-student programs, and visits from prospective students and families.
Identify and attend appropriate recruiting events at local and regional high schools, community colleges, and university programs, and help keep prospective-student web content accurate and current.
Organize welcome, transition, and retention activities for newly admitted, transfer, and continuing students, including Welcome Wagon, open houses, and other departmental events.
Host student information events and community activities that connect students with faculty, peers, alumni, employers, organizations, research, internships, and other opportunities.
Maintain accurate and confidential advising and program records; curate student and activity data; and contribute information for the departmental annual report, assessment, planning, and decision-making.
Collaborate with department leadership, faculty advisors, the departmental advising team, Admissions, Orientation, the Registrar, Academic Student Services, and other campus partners; contribute to committees and initiatives; and perform other duties consistent with the position.