Student Advisor, Senior

Position Summary:

The Student Advisor, Senior, serves as an administrative contributor for critical academic operations in the Office of Academic Services. They serve as primary support for A&S transfer students and students with defined academic policy support (return from leave of absence, mid-term deficiencies). This person will provide administrative effort for transfer processes and students in academic distress; in some cases, the Senior Advisor will be the academic advisor for students, supporting credit processing, major exploration and declaring a major. The position reports functionally and organizationally to the Program Manager, Advising in the Office of Academic Services. 

About the Work Unit:

The College of Arts & Science at Vanderbilt University is a highly selective liberal arts college at the heart of a major research university. It seeks to attract a diverse student body of high promise and ability from throughout the United States and the international community. Its mission is to engage in significant and innovative research, scholarship, and creative expression in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, to offer distinguished, well-taught programs of undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and sciences, and to foster service to society overall.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Advising 

  • Serve as primary advisor for all external undergraduate transfers (EUTS), supporting initial entry to major declaration

  • Provides clear information about pre-major requirements, including A&S core liberal arts curriculum.

  • Support students returning from a leave absence, including regular meetings and check-ins to support positive academic progress.

  • Provides strategic individual and group advising.

  • Tracks students' progress to ensure they are meeting key benchmarking dates.

  • Accurately documents academic recommendations and individual discussions with student.

  • Participates in professional development activities to remain competent and informed of the most effective advising techniques and theories.

  • Collaborates with other advisers to create, maintain, and improve online orientation materials for students using the Brightspace Learning Management System. 

• Operations 

  • Develop comprehensive advising process for transfer students, ensuring they possess essential institutional knowledge, understand academic advising core competencies and guide professional growth.

  • Develop educational materials and processes to support EUT matriculation, external credit review and enrollment in general education courses

  • Collaborate with campus partners, including the academic schools and colleges, Student Affairs and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education staff 

  • Support advising and operational efforts related to intra-university transfers (IUTs), including assigning advisors, communication strategies and general education advising.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports functionally and organizationally to the Program Manager, Advising.

Education and Certifications:

• A Master’s degree and at least 3 years of experience in student advising, career counseling, human resources, or an equivalent setting— or Bachelor’s degree in any subject and at least 5 years of experience in student advising or support services, including counseling, educational programming, working with faculty and employers, and administrative responsibilities is necessary.

Experience and Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing is necessary.

• Past experience collaborating and working alongside faculty leadership is preferred.

• Past experience with data management and analysis is preferred.

• Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information is necessary.

• Ability to analyze and solve problems is necessary.

• Ability to analyze course prerequisites, certification, and/or curriculum/graduation requirements is necessary.

• Ability to evaluate student transcripts and/or records is necessary.

• Records maintenance skills is necessary.

• Understanding of Student Information Privacy Laws and Ethics including FERPA is necessary

• Ability to maintain calendars and schedule appointments is necessary.

• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports is preferred.

• Knowledge of student success and retention issues is preferred.

General Characteristics of a Successful Vanderbilt University Staff Member:

ACCOUNTABILITY: Owns decisions, outcomes, work products, etc. that are within the scope of one’s role.

• Works through Issues – Recognizes that the work is about successful outcomes, if things aren’t going well, outcomes suffer; is willing to have crucial conversations if things aren’t going well;

          doesn’t just complain to management… does everything possible to remedy the situation directly first

• Reliable – Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesn’t push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others

• Integrity – Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes, recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together

• Acceptance of Feedback – Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong, owns it – freely admits mistakes

COLLABORATION: Works inclusively to build trust and accomplish tasks, goals, and initiatives. Understands, anticipates, and appropriately responds to internal and/or external customers’ needs.

• Optimism – Is friendly, tirelessly cordial, polite, and genial; comes in to work with a good attitude and doesn’t bring their own personal “little black clouds” into the work environment

   

• Teamwork – Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers, makes them feel valuable and

           important by acknowledging what they do well; doesn’t expect from others effort that one is unwilling to            do themselves, finds ways to acknowledge other’s strong suits

• Honest and Transparent – Doesn’t have hidden agendas, doesn’t play people against each other; is authentic and forthright

• Helpful Nature – Offers to help lighten the load for others in times of need; volunteers rather than waiting to be asked; understands that almost no one works in a silo and needs the help of others to do their job well; recognizes that by helping others first, others will likely reciprocate

COMMUNICATION: Provides information clearly and accurately in various settings, ensuring understanding and participation. Understands how best to present information to different audiences and understands how information may be perceived.

• Shares – Shares information. Communicates proactively. Transmits knowledge; recognizes that “knowledge is power” is less effective than “sharing knowledge is power.” Asks for advice, and considers it thoughtfully

• Is Nice – Asks caring, interested questions and is a good listener -- smiles and is grateful; sends appropriate notes of thanks to others who have helped; avoids gossip or saying negative things about co-workers; patient and generous; makes suggestions rather than stating hard and fast opinions. Avoids being negative, sarcastic, and cynical

• Praises Publicly; Criticizes Privately – When dealing with a difficult co-workers or customers, “pretend your children are watching” how the situation is handled; good manners help keep a cool head; gives credit where credit is due

• Responds Promptly – Recognizes that when emails and phone messages aren’t returned in a timely way, it sends the message that the other party is not important; responds even if just to acknowledge receipt and provide a timeframe by which the requester can expect a full response