Academic Advisor
Academic advising at Kirtland Community College is a developmental process that considers students’ academic needs, goals, interests and prior education. Academic advisors promote student success and increase student enrollment and retention by promoting and recruiting for programs, referring students at risk or in need of additional resources with the primary objective to assist with making informed decisions concerning their educational goals.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*
- Advises students about content and structure of postsecondary programs including graduation and/or transfer requirements for a particular program of study.
- Audits, monitors, and evaluates individual student academic progress.
- Disseminates certificate, diploma and university transfer program information to all learners and other appropriate internal and external contacts in individual or group sessions.
- Interprets testing results relevant to placement decisions; determines student readiness for College programs.
- Assists students in the development of an educational plan including choosing a program of study and/or clarifying educational goals.
- Informs students about alternatives, limitations and possible consequences of academic decisions (e.g. adding, dropping and withdrawing from courses; change of program, major and/or transfer institution)
- Educates students about course planning and registration processes, refers to available on-and off-campus resources to meet individual needs including career and personal counseling.
- Makes appropriate referrals to students perceived as at-risk, acts as an advocate as appropriate.
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge about the College’s programs and requirements; consults with contacts at various transfer institutions regarding course and program transferability, admission and graduation requirements.
- Develops and interprets Academic Planning Guides; maintains administrative and program information files.
- Develops and maintains operating procedures that minimize the likelihood and impact of errors.
- Communicates electronically and in person with area high school staff and students to provide specific information about Kirtland Community College and its programs.
- Participates in on and off campus events promoting Kirtland Community College, assists with orientation programs.
- Processes progress reports for advisees.
- Authorizes course withdrawals, adds, and drops as required.
- Manages student success course in Canvas for advisees.
- Maintains administrative documents and confidential student records.
- May represent the academic advising department on various internal and external committees.
- Monitors Early Alerts in Grades First software.
- Develops and promotes internal communication and resource sharing in order to benefit student success.
- Monitors course enrollment and make recommendations to appropriate staff regarding reserves, restrictions, availability, waitlisting, or closure based on program demand and course availability.
- Provides recommendations for continuous improvement to all services for academic advising purposes and to integrate practices and technology aimed at improving student service
- Gathers, develops and promotes best practices for continuous improvement
- Participates in individual and team professional development, remains current with technology used to provide advising services.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION – Works under the general supervision of the Vice President of Student Services.
ATTENDANCE – Individuals in this position are expected to be available during the normal business hours of the college, and occasionally on evenings and weekends for special presentations and events.
WORKING CONDITIONS – Conditions are those of a typical office environment, requiring frequent oral communication with students and colleagues, the ability to enter data and written communications in electronic format in a timely manner, and sufficient mobility to be present and address students, their parents, and fellow professionals at appropriate college and regional functions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in the humanities or a related field.
- One to three years experience in academic advising or related careers in post-secondary education, or a combination of education and experience commensurate with the requirements of the position
- Ability to learn and use complex computer-based systems and multi-faceted network-related software and database management systems.
- Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to effectively analyze ambiguous information and respond appropriately
- Experience in group presentations.
- Ability to process and maintain highly confidential information.
- Ability to work effectively with individuals of varying backgrounds, abilities, outlooks, ages, and nationalities
JOB DIMENSIONS – Analysis, judgment, planning and organizing, negotiation, persuasiveness, sensitivity, attention to detail, dependability, commitment to the college, work standards, initiative, oral and written communications, knowledge of work, teamwork, technical/professional self-development, stress tolerance, self-reliance
03/2024
Kirtland Community College is an equal opportunity employer
* This job description is intended to describe the type and level of work being performed by a person in this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by a person so classified.
