The Student Success Advisor, Kendall College is responsible for providing holistic support and services to guide undergraduate students in achieving academic and ultimately career success in their Kendall College program. The Student Success Advisor works with student holistically providing overarching academic guidance which included creating an academic plan that provides a path to graduation and employment. This position is the main support person for an assigned population of approximately 150-175 undergraduate students during their enrollment at the institution and has primary responsibility for resolving barriers to retention and providing proactive support.
The successful candidate will be expected to advise students on academic programs, curriculum, college and university academic policies and procedures focused on fostering their success and academic growth. The successful candidate will assist students individually and in groups in-person, over the phone or through video conference. The successful candidate will strive to understand their students and function as academic coach and mentor. This position is under the supervision of the Dean with a dotted line to the University Registrar and is a member of the Provost division regarding academic policy. The individual works closely and collaboratively with the Kendall faculty both individually and through weekly Student Support meetings. This individual is also expected to attend college engagement events, Open House events, and other college events that support student success, thus functioning as in integrated member of the Kendall College community. Moreover, the position must collaborate with staff from other student service units including Student Finance, Enrollment, Admissions and Registrar, serving as the student’s primary point of contact for questions and assistance.
In order to best serve students, this is a full-time on campus position which requires in-person presence at meetings and events.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Provide single point of contact advising service to an assigned group of students from admission through graduation to retain students. Advisors should ensure students are eligible to continue their degree and registered for courses on their degree plan on a quarterly basis, and will assist with constructing this schedule with the Dean. In addition, students should be supported to access wraparound supports available as needed and through academic and personal challenge areas.
- Effectively communicate the curriculum and graduation requirements for program, college and university academic policies and procedures. Work with Dean on creating and updating program schedule for the upcoming term to ensure the appropriate courses are available for students’ needs.
- Build collaborative relationships with Kendall program faculty, Department Chairs and Dean to ensure a cohesive student experience. Participates in department meetings, as well as weekly Kendall Student Support meetings. These meetings require feedback on student participation and absences, share information on conversations and recommendations for next steps. Advisors will collaborate with Career Bridge to prepare students into Professional Development courses and internship requirements.
- Maintain accurate and timely student records in Banner and use data tools and retention systems, including EAB Navigate, to work with at risk students proactively and assist students on SAP/SAR.
- Provide student with general information on the university that students need to be successful and collaborate with other student service areas to support students.
- Attend Saturday Open House and Kendall After Dark (evening open house) to support potential students and recruitment, as well as New Student Orientations for NLU and Kendall Specific engagements/presentations. Attend classroom visits to individual courses per request of the Chair and/or Dean. Additional engagement opportunities include end of quarter meetings and Kendall Connections where all college staff/faculty engage, and other Kendall events where students are participating.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree Required
- Minimum of two years of experience in academic advising or career services
- General knowledge of the Culinary and/or Hospitality Industry (experience in the field strongly preferred)
- Customer Focus - Personally demonstrates that external (or internal) customers are a high priority. Identifies customer needs and expectations and responds to them in a timely and effective manner. Anticipates and prevents delays or other things that can adversely affect the customer. Keeps customers informed about the status of pending actions and inquires about customer satisfaction with products or services.
- Interpersonal Communication - Communicates effectively and appropriately. Uses good judgment as to what to communicate to whom as well as the best way to get that accomplished. Speaks in a clear and credible manner, selecting the right tone for the situation and audience. Listens to others and allows them to make their point.
- Problem Solving - Takes a proactive approach to anticipating and preventing problems. When problems occur, defines those problems, investigates obstacles, gathers relevant information, decides whether solving the problem should be a group decision, generates and analyzes alternate solutions and arrives at a workable solution.
- Team Orientation - Establishes an environment that creates incentives for, and eliminates barriers to, a team environment. For example, articulates common goals, communicates how individual roles contribute to team success, provides both clear direction and sufficient resources while removing or reducing obstacles to team success.
- Time Management - Prioritizes tasks and manages time to ensure that deadlines are met. Plans his or her time and sticks to those plans. Prevents or manages interruptions until the highest priority tasks are accomplished.
- Results Focus - Achieves results within established timelines. Understands and demonstrates that intentions, activities and results are not the same. Expects that obstacles will occur and refuses to use them as an excuse for not achieving results.