Assistant Director of Advisement – School and Program Specialist
Danbury, CT
Full Time
University Advisement
Experienced
Western Connecticut State University is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for an Assistant Director of Advisement – School and Program Specialist.
Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) is committed to enhancing our diverse university community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, veterans, and women to apply. We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion. WCSU is honored to be awarded the federal designation as a Hispanic Servicing Institution (HSI). This accomplishment marks a pivotal moment in our progress toward fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our campus community.
The University Advisement Center at WCSU plays a crucial role in supporting students' academic success. WCSU follows a holistic model of academic advisement, ensuring that each student is paired with an advisor, starting with the University Advisement Center, and transitioning to a Faculty Mentor within their declared major. This model helps provide consistent and personalized guidance throughout a student’s academic journey.
The University Advisement Center assists students with understanding major requirements, selecting courses each semester, and navigating university policies and procedures. Students are encouraged to take an active role in their academic progress by initiating contact with their assigned advisor early each semester to build a strong advising relationship. Additional information on the department may be found on www.wcsu.edu/advising. Information on the University may be found on www.wcsu.edu.
Position Summary: Delivers comprehensive advising services to students. Contributes to the university’s goals of increased student satisfaction, retention, and graduation rates. Serves to support student success and progress towards a degree in a related collection of departments or programs, ensures the delivery of a highly effective advisement experience to students in pursuit of programs within those departments.
Advises students, including new transfer, re-entry, and first-time students. Develops strategies and programming to help them to explore programs and options, understand academic requirements, policies, and procedures, utilize university resources, and identify and pursue a successful path towards a degree.
Identifies and supports students experiencing challenges affecting academics, who may be at higher risk of disengagement, through Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system early alerts, advisement meetings, referrals from other departments or faculty.
May supervise part-time staff, graduate assistants, and/or student workers.
Position Responsibilities:
Application Process: Prospective candidates must submit a cover letter, which includes the names and contact information for three professional references and a resume. Application materials must be submitted no later than Sunday, April 6, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. Submit applications to:
https://westernconnecticutstateuniversity.applytojob.com/apply/VXxUb9Ak4p/Assistant-Director-Of-Advisement-School-And-Program-Specialist. Questions may be directed to [email protected] - please reference University Advisement in subject line.
Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) is committed to enhancing our diverse university community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, veterans, and women to apply. We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion. WCSU is honored to be awarded the federal designation as a Hispanic Servicing Institution (HSI). This accomplishment marks a pivotal moment in our progress toward fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our campus community.
The University Advisement Center at WCSU plays a crucial role in supporting students' academic success. WCSU follows a holistic model of academic advisement, ensuring that each student is paired with an advisor, starting with the University Advisement Center, and transitioning to a Faculty Mentor within their declared major. This model helps provide consistent and personalized guidance throughout a student’s academic journey.
The University Advisement Center assists students with understanding major requirements, selecting courses each semester, and navigating university policies and procedures. Students are encouraged to take an active role in their academic progress by initiating contact with their assigned advisor early each semester to build a strong advising relationship. Additional information on the department may be found on www.wcsu.edu/advising. Information on the University may be found on www.wcsu.edu.
Position Summary: Delivers comprehensive advising services to students. Contributes to the university’s goals of increased student satisfaction, retention, and graduation rates. Serves to support student success and progress towards a degree in a related collection of departments or programs, ensures the delivery of a highly effective advisement experience to students in pursuit of programs within those departments.
Advises students, including new transfer, re-entry, and first-time students. Develops strategies and programming to help them to explore programs and options, understand academic requirements, policies, and procedures, utilize university resources, and identify and pursue a successful path towards a degree.
Identifies and supports students experiencing challenges affecting academics, who may be at higher risk of disengagement, through Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system early alerts, advisement meetings, referrals from other departments or faculty.
May supervise part-time staff, graduate assistants, and/or student workers.
Position Responsibilities:
- Works with department chairs and program coordinators, transfer counselors, and faculty to develop initiatives to introduce students to advisement and expectations, relationships, and to acquaint students with their major, and support students through the transition to their faculty mentor/advisor.
- Serves as an expert on the specific and unique needs of students pursuing majors in the departments affiliated with their assigned school and/or departments, along with the instructional aspects of academic planning. Utilizes Degree Works, CRM, Student Information System, assessments, and other technology and information available to understand and provide knowledge to advise students and support broad advisement initiatives. Compiles and uses data in partnership with the Advisement Center team and School and/or departments to inform advising practices across the department and School. Participates in follow-up surveys for evaluation and improvement of advising services.
- Collaborates with school and/or departments to develop, maintain, and utilize advisement materials, tools, and best practices to deliver consistent advisement practice across the Advisement Center and their school/departments.
- Advises students who are not successfully progressing toward their declared major or program or who may be facing challenges which disrupt academic success through the Academic Recovery Program. Develops and implements initiatives to support students struggling to make satisfactory academic progress, students not on-track for admission to major or program, and students who are on warning for academic standing or are actively on Academic Probation or Suspension. Develops a plan to address barriers, improve performance, explore viable major program options, and position the student for academic success.
- Works collaboratively with colleagues in Enrollment Services, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and specifically offices with peer-to-peer programs, tutoring and academic support, Career Services, and Dean of Students to support student success.
- Advises new students as they enter the university, facilitating their initial advisement and enrollment into courses, with high level of service working as the conduit between Admission and Major program advisor/mentor to ensure seamless transition into the university.
- Remains as the secondary advisor to students based on school and/or departments for their major, as assigned. Works closely with Career Services and academic departments.
- Assists with advising continuing students as needed.
- Performs other duties related to those above which do not alter the basic level of responsibility of the position.
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Three (3) years of experience providing educational and/or support to college students.
- Working knowledge of student development theory and best practices of academic advisement, retention, and student success.
- Experience working with diverse populations, demonstrating multicultural awareness, and a clear passion for working at a university with a mission of service.
- Experience engaging with students, especially students who have been academically challenged or unsuccessful.
- Excellent communication skills, strong ability to create and develop innovative and evolving student support programming, experience using technology and tools related to student success and student retention, willingness to learn, and manage projects independently and collaboratively as a member of a team.
- Experience with Student Information Systems, Customer Relationship Management, and Office 365.
- Multilingual or bilingual skills preferred.
- May involve occasional evening and/or weekend work.
Application Process: Prospective candidates must submit a cover letter, which includes the names and contact information for three professional references and a resume. Application materials must be submitted no later than Sunday, April 6, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. Submit applications to:
https://westernconnecticutstateuniversity.applytojob.com/apply/VXxUb9Ak4p/Assistant-Director-Of-Advisement-School-And-Program-Specialist. Questions may be directed to [email protected] - please reference University Advisement in subject line.
Western is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Educator/Employer
Apply for this position
Required*