Director - Academic Advising

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director of Academic Advising reports to the Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Education and is responsible for the planning, organizing, implementation, leadership, and evaluation of outcomes-driven efforts in academic advising that support student success (e.g., persistence and completion). The Director is responsible for closely collaborating with faculty academic advisors, professional advising staff, and student support units to provide vision and leadership to the university advising community, which includes all aspects of student-centered undergraduate advising from first-time enrollment to degree attainment. The Director of Academic Advising will be responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive assessment plan for University Undergraduate Advising to include analysis and interpretation of student retention and graduation data, in partnership and cooperation with Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment, and Student Affairs; and will introduce University policy related to academic advising. The Director is responsible for resource planning and management, including budgets, technology, and human resources affiliated with the unit.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters level degree required from an accredited institution in student personnel administration, higher education administration, counseling, career development, curriculum & instruction, or related field or related experience. (Conferred on an official transcript at the time of application.)
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience, demonstrating advising and higher education management and leadership experience.
• Experience in the following:
  • Staff Leadership and Talent Development
  • Budget Oversight and Resource Management
  • Curriculum and Academic Policy
  • Student Development
  • Program Planning and Management
  • Assessment and Evaluation
  • Communication
  • Collaboration and Relationship Fostering
  • Technology
  • Data Privacy
• Must have a valid US Driver's License.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Curriculum, General Education Program, and Transfer
  • Knowledge and awareness of the curriculum components of Undergraduate degree programs as aligned with Minnesota State System and Minnesota State Mankato campus policy and procedure.
  • Knowledge and awareness of the University's General Education Program and related Undergraduate requirements for degree/award.
  • Knowledge and awareness of the Undergraduate transfer policy, procedure, and business practice, including Transfer Pathways, Articulation Agreements, and the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.
• Student Development
  • Demonstrated ability to apply current best practices in student development theory when developing/modifying policies and practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply student development and enrollment management theories, and current technological tools to contemporary advising practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and implement professional development experiences, aligned with the codified philosophy and curriculum of academic advising.
• Management, Planning
  • Demonstrated skill in exceptional organizational and time management.
  • Demonstrated experience in effective project and/or program management.
  • Demonstrated ability in strategic planning and implementation.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards in leadership and administration.
• Leadership and Talent Development
  • Demonstrated ability to build effective teams to meet necessary outcomes.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills applied to motivation, delegation, planning and assessment as well as training, mentoring and effectively communicating with staff, faculty and students at all levels.
  • Demonstrated ability to act upon the most difficult individual and organizational problems and opportunities
• Communication
  • Demonstrated skill in effective interpersonal communication.
  • Demonstrated skill in exceptional communication with on campus constituencies (e.g., staff, faculty, students, managers, etc.)
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively both in writing and verbally; demonstrated effective public speaking skills
• Collaboration and Relationship Fostering
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and develop productive and collegial relationships.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate across a stratum of stakeholders.
• Technology
  • Demonstrated strategic, tactical, and technical expertise in current student information systems, document management systems, and business operations systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in consultation with technical (IT Solutions) staff regarding implementation of electronic data and communication systems
• Assessment and Evaluation
  • Ability to develop and implement a comprehensive assessment plan for University Undergraduate Advising that include, but are not limited to, analysis and interpretation of student retention and graduation data, while working in partnership and collaboration across divisions and units on campus.
  • Demonstrated ability to collect, compile, analyze and evaluate information and make verbal or written presentations based on this information.
• Data Privacy and Compliance
  • Working knowledge of the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) and Minnesota Data Practices Act (MDPA) with regard to maintaining confidentiality and privacy with student information and records.
  • Working knowledge of the Higher Learning Commission's (HLC) Accreditation Standards and Federal Compliance program.
• Resource Management
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively plan and manage unit resources, including budgets, technology, and human resources.
• Ability to participate in evening and weekend commitments as necessary.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse working and learning environment.

*The salary range denoted is the contractual range; however, salary upon hire is dependent upon qualifications and experience.