Professional Advisor

Job Description

Job Description

TITLE: Professional Advisor I

DEPARTMENT: Student Success Center

REPORTS TO: Director of Student Success

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

LOCATION : 100% in-person

JOB SUMMARY:

The Student Success Center at KSU serves all students to provide seamless, robust, focused, and comprehensive educational support. The Advisor will join a team of outstanding individuals with diverse professional and personal backgrounds in the Student Success Center who form a high-functioning community of practice. The Advisor will provide personalized, one-on-one support in navigating the road to academic success, and staying on track towards timely degree completion. Additionally, Advisors may provide instruction for KSU seminar courses and assist with retention programming efforts.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Meet with students individually or in groups to provide academic advising and guidance. Assist students in selecting appropriate courses, understanding degree requirements, and creating academic plans that align with their interests and goals.
• Stay updated on the institution's academic policies, program requirements, and degree pathways. Help students navigate through the curriculum and ensure they are aware of any prerequisite courses, core requirements, and elective options.
• Assist students in developing semester-by-semester course schedules that align with their academic goals, ensure timely progress towards graduation, and consider factors such as prerequisites, course availability, and any specific program requirements.
• Collaborate with other campus departments or resources, such as tutoring centers, career services, or mental health services, to connect students with additional support services that can enhance their academic success.
• Track students' academic progress, such as monitoring grades, attendance, and credits earned. Identify any academic challenges or concerns and develop strategies to address them, including referring students to appropriate resources for additional assistance.
• Interpret and explain institutional academic policies and procedures to students. Help students understand regulations regarding course add/drop, withdrawal, academic standing, and transfer credits.
• Provide guidance and support to students in exploring their personal and career interests. Help students identify potential career paths, discuss major/minor options, and explore opportunities for internships, research, or other experiential learning experiences.
• Participate in orientation programs and assist new students in navigating the academic environment, understanding institutional resources, and registering for their first semester of classes.
• Keep accurate and up-to-date records of student interactions, advising sessions, and academic plans. Utilize advising software or information systems to document student progress and communicate with relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain current knowledge of student development theories, best practices in academic advising, and relevant institutional policies or programs.
• Represent the Advising Office and/or the Center for Student Success at open houses, admission events, and other functions as necessary.
• Performs other site and position specific functions as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Superior listening and critical thinking skills
• Experience with retention data collection and reporting
• Working knowledge of best practices in postsecondary academic advising and retention strategies

• Candidates should have the ability to become knowledgeable of the range of varied student services available, enrollment services, academic policies, requirements, and procedures of Kentucky State University
• Strong interpersonal/human relations skills essential
• Ability to initiate and maintain professional relationships with diverse groups, demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student population including low-income, first-generation, students of color, disabled, underrepresented, older and non-traditional, and international students
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication
• Ability to maintain confidentiality is essential
• Must have attention to detail
• Basic skills in productivity software (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel)
• Ability to collect, analyze and report retention related data.
• Must be able to multi-task, prioritize, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines
• Must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and possess excellent organizational skills
• Ability to interpret and communicate university policies and procedures and associated federal and state regulations
• Work staggered hours including evening hours during the work week as needed

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree (preferred)
• 1-2 years’ experience working in Higher Education

Licensing and Certifications: NA

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior and/or office work environment.
• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.