Academic Advisor/Senior Academic Advisor

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Summary:

The Office of Student Services in the VCUCollege of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) is recruiting for two advisingpositions - one at the Academic Advisor level for students in the Mass Communication major and one at the Academic Advisor or Senior Academic Advisorlevel for students in the Forensic Science major. The incumbents to these positions will sustain an environment ofeffective academic advising for undergraduate students in the College in orderto support VCU being a leader among national research universities in providingall students with high-quality learning/living experiences focused on inquirydiscovery and innovation in a global environment; and to provide resources toimprove the student to advisor ratio departments and schools within the Collegeof Humanities and Sciences. Meeting these needs will improve student engagementthrough effective academic advising while supporting the identified metrics ofgraduation rates and retention.

VCU combines learning research creativity service and discovery with acommitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 mostinnovative public universities in the country VCU is a premier urban publicresearch university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here yoursuccess is supported and your career can thrive.

VCU is proud to support and prioritize thehiring of veterans. As part of this commitment your years of military servicecan be credited toward our leave plan potentially increasing your annual leaveaccrual.

The position falls under the AcademicAdvisor/Senior Academic Advisor classification within VCUs Academic andFaculty Affairs job family. For additional details please visit VCU HumanResources Job Family and Salary Ranges istransitioning to a new application system beginning October 1 2025. If youapply before that date you may be asked to resubmit your application in thenew system after the system is live. Clear instructions will be provided at thetime. We appreciate your understanding during this transition and look forwardto reviewing your application.

Job Specific Duties

These positions require a high degree ofconfidentiality. The main purpose of these positions is to sustain anenvironment of effective academic advising for undergraduate students in therespective programs. The person must exercise professional judgment in thefollowing ways:
1. Provide correct up-to-date information about all College andprogram-specific academic program requirements.
2. Provide correct interpretations of University and College rules andregulations.
3. Be comfortable and accurate in answering pointed questions from parents andstudents about graduation issues.
4. Be able to tell students they lack requirements for graduation and offersuggestions for completion of the needed requirements (including possiblesubstitutions or waivers of degree requirements).
5. Follow appropriate protocol for situations involving Title IX or FERPA.

1. Provide academic advising services to assigned students:
Advise students regarding: departmental College and University policies andprocedures; programs of study; and the development of appropriate academicplans.
Write letters of recommendation and letters of support for student appeals.
Assist students in identifying their interests abilities skills andacademic goals and in making decisions regarding their academic career.
Introduce students to opportunities that will enrich their academicexperience facilitate their academic and personal development and supporttheir educational success.
Teach students how to manage the college experience navigate the Universitymake informed decisions and assume responsibility for their academic success.
Identify and assist struggling or at-risk students.
Make appropriate referrals to other university resources.
Assist students in the online graduation checkout.
Participate in and provide feedback on training and professional developmentactivities.

2. Collaborate with university partners on matters that impact studentrecruitment success and retention:
Participate in recruitment activities programs and initiatives (e.g. OpenHouse Preview Day).
Provide advising services to students during New Student Orientation.
Support departmental and University retention initiatives.
Contact continuing students who do not register for classes.

3. Maintain accurate and confidential records of student information includingadvising interactions:
Document all advising interactions with students.
Maintain training on policies including Title IX and FERPA.
Maintain accurate and confidential records on students.

4. Monitor student progression in degree program and establish advisingcheckpoints:
Use the Navigate advising platform to establish targeted student populationsfor more intensive advising.
Use DegreeWorks to determine a students progress in completing degreerequirements.
Meet all assigned advisees at least once a semester.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum hiring standards for an Academic Advisor2 position (MASC Only):
Masters degree from anaccredited institution
A minimum of one year of full-time advising experience working directly withstudents in a college or university setting.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respectprofessionalism and civility with a population of faculty staff and studentsfrom various backgrounds and experiences or a commitment to do so as a memberof VCU.
Excellent written interpersonal and oral communication skills.
Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening.
Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students.

Minimum hiring standardsfor an Academic Advisor 3 position (either position):
Mastersdegree from an accredited institution
A minimum of two years of full-time advising experience working directly withstudents in a college or university setting.
Demonstrated experienceworking in and fostering an environment of respect professionalism andcivility with a population of faculty staff and students from variousbackgrounds and experiences or a commitment to do so as a member of VCU.
Excellent written interpersonal and oral communication skills.
Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening.
Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students.

Minimum hiring standards for an Senior Academic Advisorposition (Forensic Science Only):
Masters degree from an accredited institution.
3-5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of educationtraining and experience.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering anenvironment of respect professionalism and civility with a population offaculty staff and students from various backgrounds and experiences or acommitment to do so as a member of VCU.
Demonstrated experienceproviding academic career or individualized counseling in higher education.
Understand curricula information (including program of study and generaleducation requirements) for areas of advising specialization.
Excellent written interpersonal and oral communication skills.
Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening.
Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferredhiring standards for an Academic Advisor 2 position:
One year of advising experience with MASC or Humanitiesstudents
EducationalBackground in MASC or in a Humanities discipline.
Demonstrated experience providing academic career or individualizedcounseling in higher education.

Preferred hiring standards for an Academic Advisor 3 position:
One year of advising experience at VCU in a field relevantto the position
EducationalBackground in a field relevant to the position
Demonstrated experience providing academic career or individualizedcounseling in higher education.

Preferred hiring standardsfor the Senior Academic Advisor position:
Aminimum of 3 years professional advising experience or equivalent experience ina related career field.
Two years of advising experience at VCU with STEM students or exploratorystudents
Educational Background in a STEM discipline.

Salary Range:
Academic Advisor 2-3: $53820-$58860
Senior Academic Advisor 1-3: $58860 - $64980

Job Requirements

PhysicalDemands:
Lighting (<20 lbs.) Marginal
Walking Marginal
Standing Marginal
Sitting Essential
Reaching Marginal
Repetitive Motion Marginal
Bending Marginal

Emotional Demands:
Fast pace Essential
Average pace Essential
Multiple stimuli Essential
Frequent change Essential
Intense customer interaction essential

Memory/Sensory Demands:
Memory Essential
Reasoning Essential
Hearing Essential
Reading Essential
Analyzing Essential
Logic Essential
Verbal communication Essential
Written communication Essential

Sheila Blair