Degree Progression Specialist
- Location
- University of Oregon
- Salary
- $42,000 - $50,000 per year
- Ref
- Job no: 523670
- Starts
- Closes
Position Summary
The Office of Academic Advising (OAA) Advisor/Degree Progression Specialist (DPS) works to identify barriers to student retention and degree completion and develop strategies, procedures, and policies to mitigate those barriers. The DPS team also develops and provides campus-wide leadership for proactive outreach and intervention practices to increase degree completion. The DPS serves as an academic advisor and works directly with specific populations of students to identify their barriers and develop specialized plans to help them pursue their academic goals and attain their degrees. The DPS will also create reports and provide periodic outcomes related to these barriers, monitor and track student retention and other success benchmarks, and use data to define proactive strategies.
This position must be culturally competent and able to work with first-generation, low income, underrepresented, international, and transfer students. They must be skilled in addressing the needs of re-entry students, students in crisis, and students experiencing scholastic difficulty. The DPS must also demonstrate respect for all individuals, welcome diversity among students and colleagues, and actively work toward an inclusive workplace.
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Two years’ experience in a high school, college, university, counseling, educational, or similar setting providing academic advising, advising support, student services, career counseling, or counseling.
Professional Competencies
• Knowledge and abilities in record keeping, data management, tracking, and/or analysis.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues facing diverse groups e.g. low-socioeconomic, first-generation, underrepresented, non-traditional, disadvantaged, and under-prepared individuals.
• Problem-solving ability and sound judgment with ability to multi-task and adapt to changing priorities (must address in Cover Letter).
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills (as evidenced by application materials).
• Comfort using advising and office technology.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.
Preferred Qualifications
• A master’s degree in counseling, student services/student affairs, higher education leadership, assessment, policy, or related field.
• Two years’ experience assisting students in degree planning strategies for meeting academic goals and degree audit evaluation.
• Experience working with Cognos Integrated Data Reporting (IDR), or other query-based data systems.
• Experience working with Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with student information systems such as Banner, degree audits/Degree Works.
Application Review Begins
April 1, 2019; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
Complete applications include the following:
• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job announcement.
• A resume of your educational and professional work experience.
• An answer to the following supplemental questions (please keep responses to 750 words):
The Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success is committed to creating an equitable learning and working environment that actively respects, includes, and engages everyone. What does this mean to you? Please explain your understanding of issues facing diverse groups (e.g. underrepresented students of color, first generation college students, students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds) and how you will apply that understanding to your work. What steps or actions will you take to continue to build and apply your knowledge in this area?
Department Summary
The Division of Undergraduate Studies (UGS) promotes academic excellence, universal access, engagement and achievement for the student scholar. UGS programs focus on the educational trajectory of the student by providing opportunities and services essential for progress toward scholastic objectives and intellectual development. UGS departments and programs serve the entire population of UO undergraduate students and partner closely with other campus units to support student success and engagement.
Focused on ensuring student success, retention, and completion, the Office of Academic Advising (OAA) serves as the central campus academic advising resource. OAA is comprised of professional advisors that provide coordinated coaching and support that is student-centered, caring, holistic, inclusive, and culturally aware. Advisors collaborate with students to help them achieve their academic potential, participate in relevant learning and research opportunities, and reach their professional goals. OAA assists students in making a smooth transition to the university and provides wrap around advising services to undergraduate students in a variety of scenarios (exploring, transfer, students in distress, academic/financial concerns, and first-year). The OAA team works in a fast-paced, drop-in and appointment-based office setting. Each year, OAA sees over 14,000 students, representing diverse academic interests, abilities, and cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. OAA also offers outreach and training to faculty and department advisors, coordinates advising at all orientation events, and supports implementation of advising policy across campus.
The University of Oregon is poised to embark on an exciting new mission to bolster our students’ academic, professional, and personal success. We have developed a new coordinated, holistic advising model and we are looking for committed, diverse and talented professionals to join us!
Our new integrated academic and career model will focus student advising around one of six central themes called “Flight Paths.” Each thematic Flight Path will guide students in exploring and planning their academic and career paths aligned with their values, skills, and interests. We are excited to launch this proven approach to enhancing the advising experience for our students while supporting their timely graduation from the University and preparation for their careers. We want you to be a part of it!
We also have many career opportunities at the University of Oregon, including:
- Academic and Career Advisors
- Academic and Career Advising Coordinators
- Advising Case Managers
- Career Readiness Coaches
- Degree Progression Specialists:
- Diversity and Retention Advisors (coming soon!)
Professionals for these positions should love working with a diverse student population, with a passion to help them succeed in their academic, career, and personal ventures.
Applicants who are interested in and qualified for multiple positions should apply for each position they are interested in as applications will not transfer between positions. Applications for all positions will be reviewed on a regular, rolling basis, with the intent of having most positions filled by June. Positions will remain posted until all openings are filled. Find out more at: https://advising.uoregon.edu/investment-student-success