Academic Strategist, Exploratory Students (First-Generation)

at  The University of Calgary

Description
The Student Success Centre in Student Experience and Support is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Academic Strategist for approximately 13 months.
The Student Success Centre (SSC) offers inclusive advising and academic support services to enhance students academic skills, support their academic wayfinding and attain their individual academic goals. We welcome prospective, open studies, undergraduate and graduate students. We strive to offer student-centred resources, and be a place where students can ask questions and learn more about strategies and resources that support their learning and university success.
Reporting to the Senior Specialist, Academic Advising in the Student Success Centre, the Academic Strategist Exploratory (First-Generation), first-generation students, provides academic support and exploratory advising for prospective and current first-generation students. As an expert in s supporting students with academic skill development and academic decision-making, the Academic Strategist, Exploratory Students (First-Generation) will help develop and implement programming and services to support the needs of first-generation students. The Strategist will play a key role in the recruitment, retention, and success of University of Calgary first-generation students, from the point of initial inquiry through to acceptance and successful degree completion.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Works in collaboration with the Senior Specialist, Academic Advising and the Student Success Centers first-generation student support team to develop programming for first-generation students, including current, prospective, and open studies students, with the aim of supporting student success, retention and completion rates for first-generation students.
• Develops and delivers university-wide programs and online resources to assist students in the development of academic skills, wayfinding and academic decision making, exploring academic interests, and preparing and succeeding in university level study.
• Provides proactive, tailored, and timely outreach, referrals, and intervention with the first-generation student population through a variety of communication methods, and through consultation and collaboration with faculties and other support units.
• Reports on and evaluates the effectiveness of advising programs and interventions in collaboration with the Senior Advisor and the Coordinator, First-Generation Programs.
• Maintains direct contact with and advises first-generation students including current, prospective students, and open studies students from all undergraduate Faculties; this includes meeting with individuals as well as small groups on an ongoing basis to build rapport, navigate university processes, interpret university calendar, degree requirements, and regulations, identify barriers, and set goals and develop action plans to support educational decision making.
• Supports students in developing skills related to academic decision-making by facilitating and interpreting a variety of learning strategy, life design, wayfinding, and interest activities.
• Assists students in identifying progression/success obstacles as well as concrete academic skills and plans to assist students in moving forward toward program selection and degree completion.
• Ensures that the integrity of information provided to students is accurate and timely and is offered with discretion and tact.
• Identifies and makes appropriate referrals for assistance from other units.
• Recommends changes to streamline workflow and improve service delivery to first-generation students, and is included in the design and development of academic support and advising processes.
• Works with Enrolment Services and Recruitment and Admissions along with the First-Generation support team in the Student Success Centre to develop services, events and effective communication strategies to ensure that first-generation students feel supported in their advising needs at the University of Calgary.
• Fosters and maintains cooperative and trusting relationships with these offices and other student affairs and service units across campus to provide seamless and efficient student support processes.
• Remains current with academic affairs and governance to understand, monitor and convey all aspects of curriculum, sequencing, academic status, registration and University policies and procedures for all student cohorts.
• Collaborates with faculty partners regarding student concerns, student progress and degree requirements.
• Supports the contributions made to the institutions enrollment management initiatives and the university’s strategic plan by providing input and feedback when requested.
• Participates in and supports all key unit operations including tracking and analyzing statistics, proper file documentation, unit meetings, strategic planning, program assessment and participation at events as required. Understand and monitor institutional priorities, decisions, and benchmarks.
• Participates in committees and working groups relating to student success and retention, enrolment management and recruitment and admissions.
• Participates in cross-training to assist in other areas when needed and to meet Student Success Centre priorities.
• Identifies professional development needs and skill priorities; continues own personal development, learning and training.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree (Masters degree preferred).
• 3-5 years of student services, student affairs, counselling, learning strategist or academic advising experience.
• Demonstrated experience in providing learning strategies and academic support to post-secondary students in a one-on-one context.
• Knowledge of first-generation student experiences and expertise in providing inclusive supports that aim to foster a sense of belonging for students from a variety of intersectional identities.
• Expertise in facilitating academic support programming, workshops and/or courses in a student service unit or in a post-secondary environment.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualizing and designing curriculum and implementing individual and small group learning sessions along with educational resources.
• Advanced expertise of all aspects of university rules and regulations in relation to undergraduate student registration, curriculum sequencing, academic status and University policies and procedures including Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP).
• General knowledge of admission criteria and degree program requirements for all faculties and their undergraduate programs.
• Expertise in developmental advising and experience in supporting student wayfinding and academic planning in relation to their interests, motivators, personal strengths, and career goals.
• Experience successfully handling a large student caseload with a positive student-centric attitude in a highly collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional, proactive student service that upholds the credibility of the university in all areas of responsibility.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills including written, 1:1, and workshop facilitation.
• Strong critical thinking, judgement, and decision-making skills.
• Abilities in problem identification, reasoning, and ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Demonstrated ability to be resourceful, creative, innovative, and flexible.
• Ability to work effectively individually and as a member of cross-functional teams and consistently demonstrate strong negotiation, leadership and customer service skills.
• Excellent computer skills including experience using technical advising tools (such as student information management systems like PeopleSoft, degree audit software and Microsoft Office).
  Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
  We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
  This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.
  For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

• Works in collaboration with the Senior Specialist, Academic Advising and the Student Success Centers first-generation student support team to develop programming for first-generation students, including current, prospective, and open studies students, with the aim of supporting student success, retention and completion rates for first-generation students.
• Develops and delivers university-wide programs and online resources to assist students in the development of academic skills, wayfinding and academic decision making, exploring academic interests, and preparing and succeeding in university level study.
• Provides proactive, tailored, and timely outreach, referrals, and intervention with the first-generation student population through a variety of communication methods, and through consultation and collaboration with faculties and other support units.
• Reports on and evaluates the effectiveness of advising programs and interventions in collaboration with the Senior Advisor and the Coordinator, First-Generation Programs.
• Maintains direct contact with and advises first-generation students including current, prospective students, and open studies students from all undergraduate Faculties; this includes meeting with individuals as well as small groups on an ongoing basis to build rapport, navigate university processes, interpret university calendar, degree requirements, and regulations, identify barriers, and set goals and develop action plans to support educational decision making.
• Supports students in developing skills related to academic decision-making by facilitating and interpreting a variety of learning strategy, life design, wayfinding, and interest activities.
• Assists students in identifying progression/success obstacles as well as concrete academic skills and plans to assist students in moving forward toward program selection and degree completion.
• Ensures that the integrity of information provided to students is accurate and timely and is offered with discretion and tact.
• Identifies and makes appropriate referrals for assistance from other units.
• Recommends changes to streamline workflow and improve service delivery to first-generation students, and is included in the design and development of academic support and advising processes.
• Works with Enrolment Services and Recruitment and Admissions along with the First-Generation support team in the Student Success Centre to develop services, events and effective communication strategies to ensure that first-generation students feel supported in their advising needs at the University of Calgary.
• Fosters and maintains cooperative and trusting relationships with these offices and other student affairs and service units across campus to provide seamless and efficient student support processes.
• Remains current with academic affairs and governance to understand, monitor and convey all aspects of curriculum, sequencing, academic status, registration and University policies and procedures for all student cohorts.
• Collaborates with faculty partners regarding student concerns, student progress and degree requirements.
• Supports the contributions made to the institutions enrollment management initiatives and the university’s strategic plan by providing input and feedback when requested.
• Participates in and supports all key unit operations including tracking and analyzing statistics, proper file documentation, unit meetings, strategic planning, program assessment and participation at events as required. Understand and monitor institutional priorities, decisions, and benchmarks.
• Participates in committees and working groups relating to student success and retention, enrolment management and recruitment and admissions.
• Participates in cross-training to assist in other areas when needed and to meet Student Success Centre priorities.
• Identifies professional development needs and skill priorities; continues own personal development, learning and training