Overview
This position is located within the NIU Academic Advising Center (AAC). The AAC operates in a team setting and is committed to building collaborative, student-centered relationships that support achievement of academic success, promote personal and professional development, and foster a sense of community. Program Advisors educate the whole student through a developmental, student-focused approach and are charged with developing and implementing advising strategies and interventions to enhance the performance and persistence of students throughout their first year on campus, along with contributing to the development of student learning outcomes and assessment. |
Position Summary
The re-enrollment academic advisor's primary function is to embrace a holistic approach in advising students who are resuming classes toward completion of an undergraduate degree at NIU. Re-enrolled students include those who have withdrawn from NIU (i.e. interrupted continuous degree enrollment, were dismissed or suspended for nonacademic and/or academic reasons and/or have taken a leave of absence) or have some college credit at another institution and are looking to complete a degree from NIU.
The re-enrollment academic advisor engages students using a developmental advising approach to decision making by promoting appropriate and responsible choices on academic matters such as course selection, financial planning to support educational goals, career exploration, and evaluating pathways for degree completion. This position maintains appropriate confidentiality, updates student advising records, and contributes to the development and delivery of academic advising related events and programs at NIU. Further, the re-enrollment academic advisor works to ensure that re-enrolled students receive accurate, timely, and holistic advising services, using a case management approach of integrated student success services and support. This position has the option of being remote, with limited time on-campus. |
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Advising - 30%
- Advises students regarding campus, college, and departmental academic requirements.
- Advises students regarding course or program degree requirements and academic options. Assures students are actively pursuing their intended academic programs through frequent degree progress monitoring and individualized student check-ins.
- Manages and monitors student academic progress and degree completion utilizing a case management model of student support.
- Assists in the selection and exploration of classes to meet degree requirements and recommend electives based on students' interest and course content.
- Provides students with up-to-date information regarding curriculum requirements and may assist in developing and recommending exceptions for policy and curriculum.
Record Maintenance - 20%
- Maintains records of interactions with students; facilitates and follows-up with campus referrals in the NAVIGATE system.
- Maintains confidential and accurate student records; processes and responds to academic inquiries according to established institutional and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policies.
Student Relations - 20%
- Utilizes a personalized, high-touch advising model to develop supportive and compassionate professional relationships with assigned advisees.
- Proactively engages students on a regular basis.
- Assists students with their transition to NIU, in exploring their interests and goals, and in investigating multiple paths toward degree completion.
Student Advising - 10%
- Serves as a main point of contact for students and provides information and referrals regarding educational options and academic requirements; assists with identifying and assessing interests, skills, and values to match appropriate field of study/career options and refers students to appropriate institutional resources.
- Receives, processes, and responds to academic inquiries according to established policies and procedures.
Other Related Duties - 10%
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Partner Relations - 5%
- Coordinates with Undergraduate Admissions, Registrar and Records and University Marketing to create a campaign, materials, and processes for returning students to re-enroll at NIU.
- Works in partnership with the campus-wide advising community.
- Will coordinate with ReUp.
Inclusivity - 5%
- Works to support inclusion, diversity, and equity in advising practices and procedures; supports and enhances an inclusive climate for the students and colleagues.
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Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)
- Bachelor's degree with 4 years of academic advising related experience in higher education or related experience to the hiring unit.
OR - Master's degree with 3 years of professional experience in higher education, leadership, student personnel, academic advising.
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing quality educational guidance. This includes student needs assessment,meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of student satisfaction.
- Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in the presentation and delivery of academic programs, strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, recruitment methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Knowledge of educational, evaluation, and measurement principles, practices,methods, and techniques, university policies and procedures.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively; ability to develop a rapport with students.
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing soothers will understand.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
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Specialty Factors (Civil Service)
None |
Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)
One or more of the following:
- Bachelor's degree in a specialization relevant to the hiring unit.
- Master's degree in a specialization relevant to the hiring unit.
- Academic related experience in a specialization relevant to the hiring unit.
- Professional experience in a specialization relevant to the hiring unit.
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Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)
N/A |
Additional Requirements (SPS)
N/A |
Preferred Qualifications (SPS)
N/A |
Physical demands/requirements
- Regular Administrative office-related work
- Sitting for extended periods of time
- Using computer/electronic equipment for extended periods of time
- Occasional lifting and moving items weighing up to 25 lbs.
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