Director, College Advising Center
Basic Position Information
Job Code: 2147
Title: Director, College Advising Center
Department: Various
Essential Personnel: N
Job Family: Student Operations
Job Sub-Family: Academic Advising
FLSA Classification: E
Job Grade: 17
Grade Min: $72,265
Grade Mid: $88,524
UHD Succession Plan: N
Criticality of Position: N/A
Career Ladder: Individualized
Campus Security Authority: Y
Screening Committee: Y
Motor Vehicle Record Check: N
Job Summary
The Director, College Advising Center, directs the day-to-day center and staffing operations of the College Advising Center. The Director independently manages a comprehensive, proactive, and holistic academic advising and career readiness program for new, transferred, continuing, and re-admitted students to assigned caseloads.
Duties
- Provides leadership to the Academic Success Coordinators in academic advising, degree progress, career readiness, and student support services
- Oversees long-range planning for the College Advising Center; develops the budgets, ensures the Center is run in a cost-efficient manner that is consistent with institutional protocols
- Leads the review and approvals of college graduation applications. Maintains continuous communication with students via email, telephone, and in-person. Run communication campaigns in venues, such as EAB, and support efforts with the Early Alert and Mid-term grades for assigned caseloads.
- Provides leadership of academic advising, degree progress/audits, and timely graduation of students within the respective college
- Provides student career development strategies for the Advising Center and Coordinates with UHD Career Center
- Interprets and maintains online data and resource files related to this position in the student information and advising systems
- Guides students in career exploration, networking, and job-seeking strategies and coordinates career fairs for internships and job searches. Facilitates workshops and events for assigned caseloads
- Educates students on how to use advising tools, degree audits, and course prerequisites and serves as a student advocate, and assists students by making appropriate referrals to staff in Scholarships and Financial Aid offices, Student Business Services, Learning Support, and Counseling Services, and other campus support services
- Provides qualitative and quantitative assessments of the overall effectiveness of the Advising Center
- Develops and monitors data on advising, mentoring, and degree progression to track growth
- Manages, maintains, and audits student advising records; assists students with processing paperwork and other issues
- Mentors and develops staff personally and professionally
- Supports retention and timely graduation efforts for college and UHD students
- Participates in on and off-campus recruitment and registration activities with Houston area community colleges, high schools, and community events
- Participates, attends, and assists with pre-commencement and commencement ceremonies/activities
- Collaborates and coordinates with various departments and colleges as required concerning recruitment, retention, and graduation
- Maintains a strong, positive, and collaborative relationship with the College Leadership, Enrollment Management, and Faculty
- Represents college Advising Center on university committees and at functions as necessary
Marginal Duties
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Supervisory Responsibilities
Direct Reports:
- Full Time Employees
Delegation of Work:
- Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s)
Supervision Given:
- Makes final decision on evaluating employee performance, hiring new employees, disciplinary actions, scheduling work hours, granting time off, and making recommendations on handling employee grievances and complaints.
Qualifications
Required Education:
- Master's degree
Required Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years in academic advising or student support experience within higher education
- Management and supervision experience
License/Certification:
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- None
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to the position
Skills:
- Candidate exhibits strong interpersonal skills, and experience working with students, parents, faculty, and staff
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external constituents
- Excellent computer proficiency (MS Office Word, Excel, and Outlook)
Abilities:
- Proven ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary student service
- Ability to comply with all UHD and UH System policies and procedures
Work Location and Physical Demands
Primary Work Location:
- Works in an office environment or at off campus locations for recruitment and advising events
Physical Demands:
- Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements
- Position is physically comfortable; individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc.
- Work environment involves minimal exposure to physical risks
- Typical work occurs during business hours Monday through Friday however this position may require flexible hours as needed to include evenings and weekends serving students in virtual, on-, and off-campus environments
Position Specific Competencies
Commitment to Excellence - UHD
- Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
- Continuously strives to improve work performance.
- Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
- Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
Integrity
- Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
- Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
- Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.
Respect and Cooperation
- Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
- Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.
Dependability
- Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
- Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
- Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
- Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.
Proficiency
- Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
- Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.
Flexibility
- Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
- Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
- Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
- Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
- Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.
Decision Making
- Demonstrates the ability to make informed decisions in a timely manner.
- Assimilates and/or secures relevant information to assess the risks and benefits of alternatives.
- Considers impact of decision in the long and short term.
Operations Management
- Manages department or section operations consistent with department/section goals and objectives.
- Administers the department/section budget ensuring effective utilization of financial resources and appropriate disbursement of funds.
- Fosters a cooperative and productive work environment through motivation, encouragement, and mentorship of staff.
- Ensures department/section compliance with university and department policies, procedures, and work rules.
- Keeps management apprised of department/section activities and issues requiring senior management input.
Supervision
- Supervises the work of staff employees.
- Sets clear goals and expectations within reasonable timeframes.
- Motivates staff through constructive feedback, challenging assignments, and recognition of achievements.
- Provides mentorship and guidance by sharing expertise and best practices.
- Supports staff by providing essential resources, professional development opportunities, and open communication.
- Promptly addresses performance issues with appropriate measures and discretion.
Writing Proficiency
- Demonstrates the ability to express information clearly and concisely in writing.
- Formulates and writes information to effectively communicate messages, ideas, and/or concepts for the intended recipient or audience.
- Uses appropriate words and tone, and correct grammar.
Computer/Automated System Proficiency
- Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
- Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.
Problem Solving
- Formulates plans and strategies to proactively resolve anticipated problems.
- Prudently responds to unforeseen problems through careful consideration and analysis of problem and relevant information and circumstances.
- Recognizes and apprises appropriate university administrator when resolution requires senior management input and/or approval.
Student Success Direct Support
- Assists and/or advises students and/or prospective students with academic plans and course selection, financial options, career plans, and/or student opportunities.
- Contributes to student success through careful monitoring of student progress within caseload.
- Promotes student success through regular and persistent outreach to student caseload.
- Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
- Shares relevant knowledge and insight to apprise students of programs and services available to them.
- Listens and responds to student requests and concerns with patience and understanding.
- Treats students with respect.
This job description may not encompass all duties and responsibilities associated with the position.