Job Description

General Summary: 

The mission of the Pathways and Student Success Programs department is to provide culturally sustaining advising and university curricula as well as high-quality services including individualized tutoring support and mentoring, both in and out of the classroom. Our program is built on a commitment to racial equity, inclusiveness, and multilingualism. We strive to build community and foster students’ sense of belonging through a comprehensive advising model as well as extracurricular activities. Most importantly, we center our work on listening to our students’ narratives to gain holistic knowledge about who they are and to support their progress across their time at UMass Boston.

The Academic Success Advisor works with targeted student populations within Pathways and Student Support programs, particularly the Student Support Services (SSS) program. Using asset-based educational, cultural, and linguistic frameworks, the Academic Success Advisor provides support to the students from their initial transition to college through graduation. The Academic Success Advisor will ensure high-quality, comprehensive advising sessions through educational approaches that promote equity, transformational practice, and academic literacies to guarantee the successful retention of the students we serve. Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, working with a caseload of approximately 125- 150 students to assist them in navigating academic and non-academic issues as well as connecting them to other appropriate resources and services on campus and beyond.

Examples of Duties: 

Advising

• Advise a caseload of 125-150 undergraduate students, individually and in groups.
• Assist in developing and implementing programming to support students from all academic backgrounds.
• Analyze advisees’ degree audits to ensure academic progress.
• Assist undecided students in selecting potential majors.
• Counsel and advocate for students experiencing academic or personal difficulties.
• Maintain up-to-date notes and records of each student meeting, including those related to tracking academic progress and outcomes, using the advising case management tool and/or program database to ensure appropriate and adequate documentation of services in compliance with university and federal regulations.
• Assist students with the application process to undergraduate programs, including providing letters of recommendation.
• Provide resources and referrals to various university services, such as the Ross Center for Disability Services, Tutoring, Financial Aid, Counseling and Mental Health Services.
• Liaise between the student and the university, working with other departments and offices to ensure student service functions are performed efficiently and consistently.

Teaching

• Teach up to four one-credit university literacy courses during the academic year (including summer).
• Create and implement engaging, student-centered workshops and programs to enhance knowledge that will help students navigate academic requirements such as financial literacy; student success strategies; federal, state, and institutional policies that directly impact students.

Data Analysis, Compliance, and Assessment

• In collaboration with the Director and Associate Director of Advising, analyze qualitative and quantitative student data related to persistence, retention, engagement, satisfaction, and completion to make informed recommendations for new or modified programs and services.
• In collaboration with the Director and Associate Director of Advising, analyze institutional and federal policy changes to determine the impact on students from all academic backgrounds and develop strategies designed to assist them.
• Maintain consistency and compliance within ADA, FERPA, SEVIS, and other state, federal, university, and departmental guidelines.
• Participate in assessment efforts, including the development of progress benchmarks.

Student Recruitment and Program Representation

• Present in-person and virtually to prospective and admitted students during open house, accepted student day, transfer day, orientation, and information sessions.
• Interact with other members of the university community to promote departmental programs and services.
• Represent the department on university committees, such as Advising Collaborative monthly meetings.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree and at least 1-3 years in a higher education setting or similar setting involving teaching, counseling and/or academic advising required; master's degree in counseling, higher education, human development or a related field preferred.

• Knowledge of trends and issues facing low-income and first-generation college students.
• Knowledge of federal and state policies and issues impacting higher education and students from all academic backgrounds.
• Proven ability to work with diverse populations is required: Experience working with multilingual, first- generation, and low-income students from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.
• Strong commitment to student success, multiculturalism, multilingualism, and equitable student outcomes.
• Strong knowledge base of effective advising and career coaching principles.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure, in a team capacity and independently.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with proven ability to manage and manipulate data.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and the aptitude to learn in-house platform technologies required; experience with PeopleSoft software, preferred.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends required.
• Experience speaking and writing in one or more languages other than English, preferred.
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Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 30             

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [email protected] 617-287-5150.

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