College Advisor

City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), the largest community college system in Illinois, is made up of seven colleges and five satellite sites, providing more than 70,000 students each year access to a quality, affordable education. At CCC, College Advising is a collaborative process among students, faculty, and staff that promotes student success and fosters academic progress. Each college has full-time, professional college advisors to assist students in developing and working towards achieving an educational plan that is consistent with their personal, academic, and career goals.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Student Services or other designated administrator, a College Advisor supports student success through quality academic advising, career exploration, and support of transfer and career planning and success strategies; connects students with needed support services; builds relationships; and proactively engages students throughout their enrollment at CCC. College Advisors provide advising and coaching to prospective and current students, helping students connect their interests to academic and college pathways; guide and assist in creating educational plans; and implement strategies that lead to student persistence and success. College Advisors work with assigned caseloads and with varying student categories/populations (e.g., first year, completion, transfer, Star Scholarship, etc.), providing core advising services as well as customized and specialized advising and support duties, working in collaboration with college staff and faculty to ensure student retention, completion, and progression toward transfer and career goals. Performs related duties as required.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advises potential and current students on establishing educational and career goals. Provides in-depth information on degree/certificate program requirements, student services, career exploration, and CCC transfer partnerships, and other areas related to student success and enrollment.
• Interprets and explains CCC policies and procedures as they relate to enrollment, financial aid, enrollment initiatives, scholarships, special student populations, completion, transfer, career paths, and other areas in response to student inquiries and as part of the advising session.
• Reviews placement scores and conducts unofficial transfer evaluations of transcripts for advising purposes. Coaches and guides students in identifying options and making informed decisions when selecting degree or certificate program to pursue.
• Assists students in creating educational plans that outline a clear path towards degree/program completion and desired transfer/career outcomes; makes recommendations on course selection; identifies options for student to satisfy degree requirements.
• Adapts advising relationship and strategies to suit student needs as they advance through the academic life cycle; works with various student categories from first year experience (focus on academic expectations, course sequencing, using a student engagement system, e.g., Navigate) to second year/completion (focus on degree audit, transfer/career planning, graduation).
• Meets one-on-one with students (virtual and/or in-person) as required or needed to discuss their education plans, review progress, and assess and support their needs. Responds to student inquiries via email, phone, virtual, or in-person.
• Provides registration services for new and returning students remotely and/or in-person. Advises on course selection and helps resolve registration problems in coordination with other departments/offices to ensure a positive student experience and efficient enrollment process.
• Monitors and tracks academic progress of students towards completion and transfer/career goals. Collaborates with transfer/career/other relevant departments to identify potential student needs and barriers to academic success and future success. Advises students on these identified barriers and connects students to appropriate campus support services (e.g., tutoring, wellness, accessibility) and external resources.
• Provides support to students at risk or receiving academic alerts to help them regain good academic standing. Assists students with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) holds with the appeals process and creating an academic improvement plan.
• Utilizes various systems and college technology including but not limited to Campus Solutions CS9, Open Book, Navigate, and Transferology to track, monitor, and record academic progress and transfer of students and to update student records with detailed information of student interactions and appointment outcomes.
• Collaborates with college staff and faculty on initiatives to foster student development; promotes student accountability for their academic success; and provides student advocacy.
• Develops and implements student-centered workshops and events as directed to support advising initiatives; participates in preparing and presenting new student orientations as needed.
• Participates in professional development opportunities for continuous improvement of skills and knowledge of best practices in college-level academic advising.
• Participates in various campus or district committees associated with specific student populations to develop effective student-based programming and services.
• Maintains confidentiality of information disclosed as part of the advising relationship as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university. Master's Degree preferred.
• Three years of student services/affairs experience in a higher education environment with a minimum of one year of experience advising traditional and non-traditional college level students.
• Knowledge of coaching students by empowering them with the knowledge, opportunities, and agency needed to develop personally, academically, and in preparation of their careers.
• Knowledge of proactive and intrusive advising practices.
• Experience working with a culturally diverse student body.
• Familiarity with student success initiatives is desirable.
• Knowledge and understanding of academic and occupational programs, transfer guides, assessment, and academic career advisement.
• Knowledge of student development theories including student persistence and retention.
• Familiarity with student success management systems such as EAB's Navigate.
• Knowledge of post-secondary academic planning, policies, and services.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to provide exemplary customer service.
• Must be self-directed with the ability to work independently within changing deadlines.
• Ability to work within a culturally diverse work environment.
• Availability to work some evenings and weekends.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and technology tools to virtually engage with students (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams).

WORK SCHEDULE

• Monday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Schedule subject to change as needed and per contractual guidelines

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed.

SALARY & BENEFITS INFORMATION

Offered salary will be determined by the respective collective bargaining agreement and applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

This position is represented by Local 1600 Professional Union.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within six (6) months of hire.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago!