Senior Academic Advisor

Job Title

Senior Academic Advisor

Agency

West Texas A&M University

Department

Graduate School

Proposed Minimum Salary

$3,555.50 monthly

Job Location

Canyon, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The A&M System strives to maintain a competitive, high-quality benefit package to support the health and wellness needs of our workforce. This includes comprehensive health and welfare insurance plans, additional health and lifestyle programs, and optional retirement savings opportunities. Eligible employees will have access to paid leave programs in addition to 13-15 paid holidays each year. For more information regarding the benefit package go to: West Texas A&M University: Human Resources Benefits

NOTICE - All posted positions are subject to budget approval.

General Summary:

The Senior Academic Advisor, under general supervision, advises students on program and course selection, discusses career goals, and counsels’ students on challenges in completing the degree program. This position participates in and supports preparation for recruitment, admissions, development events, and graduation.  The work environment for this position is in an open office.

Responsibilities:

• Provides academic advice and guidance to current and prospective students.
• Advises students with academic and financial concerns and determines possible courses of action.
• Advises students on academic probation terms and rules.
• Refers students to university resources and responds appropriately to inquiries from students, parents and university staff and faculty.
• Processes admission applications, graduation applications, change of term forms, and transcripts for new and returning students using university standard software.
• Processes degree plans and course substitutions for current students.
• Supports all graduation ceremonies.
• Verifies completion of degree requirements.
• Monitors student progress and degree requirements.
• Tracks student academic status.
• Determines student residency status.
• Identifies, schedules, and lends support to activities that enhance the students’ experience and retention.
• Develops and supervises systems for maintaining student records.
• Develops and presents training materials and programs.
• May process Graduate School scholarships
• Develops and revises informational material, handbooks, and newsletters.
• Participates in proactive communication with current and prospective students.
• Identifies appropriate outreach opportunities that support student recruitment and establish advantageous partnerships that may provide internship opportunities.
• May provide oversight of outreach activities.
• May organize campus tours and other on-campus recruitment activities.
• Recruits students for graduate program participation.
• Represents the University, disseminates appropriate information to prospective graduate students and other interested parties at recruiting events.
• Coordinates the direction of professional and support personnel.
• May supervise or direct functions of the office.
• Collects and communicates information pertinent to off-campus students from a variety of support/service offices on the main campus.
• Processes application fee payments and receipts. Handles cash, money and checks.
• Maintains 100% compliance with timely completion of required System, University and job-specific online training courses.
• This document represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions.  Other duties as assigned.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) years of related experience.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Knowledge of student information systems, degree planning, and degree audits.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Ability to collect, write and report various types of data sets.
• Skills necessary to utilize technology to track, process, and communicate with students during the recruitment and admission process.
• Skilled in use of MS Office and Outlook to support report submission, and calendar management.
• Ability to communicate effectively and supportively with others (to include students, faculty, staff. community members, and donors); strong organizational skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects with frequent deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Flexibility and willingness to assume new tasks and special projects.  Ability to travel, occasionally

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of university operations; experience in a university setting.

Applicant Instructions:

Please include the following with your application:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Three references

Please attach all documents in the attachment box at the bottom of the “My Experience” page before continuing through the application.  Please use the “Upload” button to add each document individually. All revisions must be made prior to application submission.  If you need assistance with uploading documents, please contact WTAMU Human Resources at hr@wtamu.edu.

Due to budgetary reasons, West Texas A&M University will not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Texas law requires all males age 18 through 25 to be properly registered with the Selective Service System.

Equal Opportunity /Veterans/Disability Employer. 

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.