Director of Academic Advising

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary:

Directs and coordinates programs which assist students in taking ownership of their academic progress and graduation plans. Coordinates programs that prepare faculty for and assists them with providing excellent advising. Supports all undergraduate students, but specifically targets first- and second-year students and transfer students. Provides leadership and direction for and coordinates assessment of advising on campus. Establishes strong working relationships with students, faculty, staff, academic departments, and all Drury constituencies.


Duties/Responsibilities:

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties or responsibility requirements. Employees may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation . The Academic Advising Director :

• Provides overall management of the Office of Academic Advising, including review of current procedures, services and programs, as well as the development and administration of new and innovative programs. Manages accurate and personalized academic advising services and programs through effective use of staff and resources. Develops and maintains excellent working relationships with faculty, staff and administration. Provides overall supervision and professional development of Advising staff, management of personnel-related issues, and recruitment of student workers, as needed.
• Serves as a resource for faculty advisors, including providing training and communicating changes and updated information concerning curriculum, advising, and the overall advising process.
• Works in collaboration with the Registrar, Admissions, New Student Programs, Deans and Chairs, the Associate Provost for the Fusion Program, among other offices on campus, to assist with registration of first-year and incoming transfer students.
• Maintains advising notes on students served and provides historical information as needed. Supports the development of record-keeping processes in departments and schools as needed. 
• Assists the Associate Provost who leads the Fusion Program as needed to help first-year students understand and to register themselves in FUSE 101 sections. 
• Assists undecided students, students in academic difficulty, and students in transition between majors, in selecting a major and connecting with an academic department and other appropriate resources in the Compass Center and elsewhere on campus. 
• As schedule permits, meets with FUSE 101 and 102 classes to help students understand how to build an effective schedule to meet their goals and review the registration process.
• Develops and assesses advising services and programs that improve the transition and retention of new and continuing students.
• Contributes to the success of the Cox Compass Center as a positive and effective member. Works cooperatively with CCC staff and campus partners to develop innovative student success workshops, support calling and purpose-oriented programming, and support the Drury Fusion program to help students reach their academic and personal goals. Completes projects in a timely manner, and perform duties as needed and assigned by the Associate Vice President of Academic Support Services.  

 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Master’s degree in related field from four-year college or university and two years administrative or teaching experience in a college environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read and interpret documents, concentrate, and attention to detail are necessary in order to have accurate information on degree requirements and university policies.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical issues that relate to student records and documentation. Demonstrates commitment to staying current with laws, trends, and best practices in the field. 
• Ability to set goals, to prioritize and organize tasks and workload in order to complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Commitment to service, assisting faculty, staff and students to enhance the learning environment. 
• Ability to use a broad knowledge of information about the university and its organizational characteristics, purpose, philosophies; and to represent the university in a way that is congruent with mission of Drury, Academic Affairs, and the Compass Center.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. 
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of students, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing. Able to plan and work cooperatively on campus-wide programming with campus partners. 
• Ability to establish rapport with a variety of people in a professional and positive manner.
• Ability to keep all matters regarding students confidential.
• Ability to use a computer system and software for communicating and distributing information. Familiarity and experience with the Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel), the use of a learning management system such as Canvas, the use of a customer management system such as Slate, and the use of office communication tools such Zoom or Teams. 
• Ability to be flexible to attend or delegate attendance on behalf of Advising or the Compass Center, those events sponsored by Academic Affairs, Admissions, Orientation, and other events that are part of Drury campus life. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from student, staff, and faculty groups, and members of the public. 
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations, as well as in unpredictable situations. 
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse experiences, backgrounds, life experiences and beliefs with dignity and respect to create a welcoming environment for every member of the Drury community. 
• Ability to perform supervisorial and administrative tasks such as strategic planning and communication, complex decision-making, advocating for and implementing policies, and maintaining a budget that address short and long-term needs. Ability to supervise employees according to university policies to meet the needs of Academic Advising, the Compass Center, and Drury University. 
• Ability to influence campus activities and events to provide opportunities that enable every person to be successful as they learn and work at Drury. 
• Ability to maintain working knowledge of best practices and current research in the field of college student advisement programs.
• Ability to train and supervise professional and support staff in the academic advisement process.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in related field from accredited four-year college or university and two years administrative or teaching experience in a college environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is occasionally required to visit campus offices and classroom. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

WORKING AT DU HAS ITS BENEFITS:

• Generous time off including 4+ weeks of paid time off starting your first year
• Free tuition for your whole family 
• Free tickets to Drury home sporting events
• Health and wellness benefits at extremely competitive rates
• Free use of onsite fitness center on Springfield campus
• Discounted meals and Drury merchandise on campus