Senior Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

ID: 7307103 (Ref.No. BSU47909)
Posted: Newly posted
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

The Senior Advisor and Retention Specialist will provide retention support for undergraduate students enrolled in their assigned academic college while serving as the primary academic advisor for students within the college including student groups targeted for retention purposes (e.g., students who had previously stopped out and have returned or students in the process of academic warning). As a senior academic advisor, this person will serve as a student advocate, providing targeting support to foster student retention. Additionally, the senior advisor will apply proactive and developmental advising strategies, support students in meeting academic requirements, promote strategies for student success, and mentor and support early career academic advisors.

This position is also responsible for implementation and assessment of a comprehensive advising retention action plan for their assigned colleges. The incumbent will be assigned to an academic college and serve on an 8-member team promoting student persistence and retention by addressing barriers that impact undergraduate student success and degree completion. The incumbent will collaborate with members from their assigned college to develop and lead retention strategies, track retention activities in their assigned areas, and assess efficacy. This position will analyze data, develop meaningful interventions based on best practices including financial information and available resources, and effectively communicate with students, partners, and leadership.

University College welcomes applications for Senior Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist.

Job Function:

Minimum Education:

Master's degree from an accredited institution by date of appointment.

Minimum Experience:

Three years of experience in academic advising, student services, counseling, or related field in higher education.

Preferred Experience:

More than three years working in a higher education environment; More than 3 years as a professional academic advisor, student success specialist, retention coordinator, or similar; familiarity with Ball State curriculum; familiarity with Banner, EAB Navigate, Canvas, and/or Stellic.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Meet with close to 150 students to provide information and guidance on academic-related issues such as course planning and registration, major-specific requirements, and academic progress.
Keep up-to-date information on university academic requirements, policies, and procedures as outlined in the undergraduate catalog and in departmental handbooks.
Provide support to students in maintaining individualized four-year degree plans as mandated by the State of Indiana.
Identify priorities, strategic goals, and action plans to enhance student progress to degree completion.
Teach student success courses to students in academic recovery.
Serve in a mentorship role for new advisors on the use of proactive advising strategies and techniques including providing professional development opportunities as assigned.
Participate in appropriate admissions and orientation events; serve as departmental liaison for new transfer students; work collaboratively with academic departments to assist in the evaluation of transfer course equivalencies.
Promote strategies for success with students including time management, study tips, and participation in tutoring and supplemental instruction sessions; provide additional intervention with assigned students in the process of academic warning.
Analyze student data to identify trends of students who may struggle in assigned areas and develop measurable retention strategies and action plans for key student cohorts specific to assigned college.
Collect, analyze, and report student persistence/learning/satisfaction data and compare it to internal benchmarks and national data.
Serve as a referral agent to other university resources and services.
Connect with stop out and withdrawn students to identify pathways to re-enrollment and timely completion.
Plan communication, interventions, outreach templates, and other retention/persistence strategies to be utilized by Academic Advisors and other partners based on student data to positively impact 4 and 6-year graduation rates.
Monitor and track the retention, progression, and graduation of students within assigned areas.
Promote positive working relationships with students, staff, and faculty.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

At Ball State University, we recognize inclusive excellence as an integral endeavor to fulfill our University’s mission and our strategic plan. We recruit, support, and retain a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. We encourage and reward diversity of thought. We promote a work environment that encourages and rewards innovation and creativity. We pledge to keep Inclusive Excellence at the highest level of institutional importance and as a foundation in all that we strive to do. Our over-arching goal for Inclusive Excellence is to adopt a university-wide Inclusive Excellence approach to academic, administrative support, and service functions of the university. We believe Inclusive Excellence must be infused in every step we take.

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