Black Student Advisor - Designated

at  Dalhousie University

JOB SUMMARY

A unit of the Division of Student Affairs, the Black Student Advising Centre is a gathering place, offering a supportive environment for students to access academic supports and other services, engage with peers, and participate in cultural programming. Reporting to the Director, Student Academic Success, the Black Student Advisor serves as a key support for students of African descent at Dalhousie (including the Faculty of Agriculture and the University of King’s College), extending a high level of advocacy on behalf of, and alongside, students. The incumbent works collaboratively with other Advisors and units within Student Affairs, as well as partners across the University and external community. This position complements an existing position in the Centre.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree, plus three to five years’ advising or mentoring students of African descent (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).
• Experience in program development, implementation and assessment.
• Ability to demonstrate sufficient understanding of history, values, culture and contemporary contexts with a focus on African Nova Scotians.
• Ability to provide guidance and support to students at varying degrees of the academic lifecycle is vital to this role.
• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various stakeholders and an ability to build a network of contacts.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to work in a fast-paced, results oriented, collaborative team environment while maintaining a high level of confidentially.

• Support Black students in both 1-1 and group activities to build skills related to engagement and leadership, wellness and belonging, and academic success. Advocate with, and/or for, students.
• Develop and deliver orientation and transition programming for new-to-Dalhousie Black students that help navigate their entry into and throughout their university experience.
• Develop, deliver and assess educational, wellness and social programs responsive to the needs of Dalhousie’s diverse Black student population with a particular focus on African Nova Scotian students. Ensure that the programming is based on current research, data and student learning and development theories.
• Make informed referrals to appropriate on- and off-campus support services e.g., Bissett Student Success Centre (academic and career advising), Health and Wellness, Human Rights and Equity Services, etc.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Centre, in collaboration with professional BSAC staff, including the oversight of the drop-in components of the Centre.
• Actively represent the Black Student Advising Centre on relevant committees included but not limited to scholarship selection, equitable admissions.