Senior Academic Advisor

Department:
Education & Social Policy

Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

Provides guidance and counsel to students designed to assist them in making decisions associated with their academic goals. Assesses individual situations and circumstances, and creates, implements and monitors recommendations, partnering with internal resources and departments/external organizations that meet student needs. Ensures compliance with associated policies, rules and regulations. While this academic advisor role serves a diverse portfolio of SESP graduate programs, a significant number of students will be pursuing teacher licensure or will be practicing teachers.

Experience working in K12 schools, with a background in state licensure requirements, is preferred.

Please note:

There may be occasional evening and weekend duties for student events.

Specific Responsibilities:

* Advises and supports portfolio of students (~120-150) across diverse SESP graduate programs and non-credit bearing certificates, regarding course selection, enrollment, graduation requirements, degree customization (e.g., timing, certificates), student support and resources, navigating university enrollment systems, student/faculty relations, course completion, etc. Works with students to create program plans and approves program plan changes.

* Provides student-centered, policy-compliant advising tailored to individual needs; develops and implements practices to enhance advising effectiveness; addresses complex student issues, including retention, academic probation, special needs, and extended absences. Interacts with university partner offices (Graduate Financial Aid, Accessible NU, Office of International Student and Scholar Support, Registrar, etc.) proactively and in response to specific student needs to ensure student success.

* Familiarizes themselves with unique academic and professional culture of those academic programs for which they advise students by interacting with program faculty, attending academic program events and programs, familiarizing themselves with course content, and understanding industry standards, needs, and trends.

* Serve on team that designs and manages services to support graduate student enrollment-related needs and activities, including onboarding, program planning, course registration, quarterly tracking, offboarding, graduation, etc.

* Provides collaborative support to - and attend relevant programs of - other SESP Graduate Studies departments including:
1) Marketing and Communications in identifying students to feature in news stories;
2) Admissions and Enrollment team in the admissions process (occasionally meeting with prospective/admitted students to discuss academic scheduling and program-specific concerns, attend admitted student academic affairs related programming; and
3) academic program directors in their efforts to create program-specific programming (reunions, open houses, receptions, etc.).

* Tracks, reports, and addresses compliance with ongoing student expectations. Monitors and escalates student progress and probation, course in completes, etc. Works with Directors to address ongoing student issues as needed.

* Identifies and resolves administrative issues associated with ongoing student enrollment and advising. Contributes to development of effective departmental advising processes.

* Oversees and communicates program schedule throughout academic year, including student pre-quarter preparation, Final date to receive applicationss, enrollment and registration deadlines, onboarding checklist and schedule, offboarding and graduation schedule/deadlines, etc.

* Creates and contributes content and resources on regular basis to online Student Services sites (Canvas and other collaboration platforms) to provide needed and helpful information to students. Assists with creation, implementation, and delivery of academic advising-related newsletters and other communication tools and platforms.

* Reviews administrative processes and procedures regarding student services and recommends changes. Assists the director with creating and maintaining student handbooks.

* Provides  input on design and development of graduate student/program databases for student services and engagement throughout the student lifecycle. Provides strategic management of Salesforce student records and reporting. Uses Northwestern and departmental tools such as SES, Salesforce (customer relationship management system), Canvas, and Sharepoint to create, collaborate, and archive documents in support of student success and student affairs. Ensures program planner online tool reflects accurate course schedule and graduation/certificate requirements.

* Responsible for maintaining accurate student program records in SES (Student Enterprise System) and Salesforce. Troubleshoots, recommends changes, designs reports, and updates Salesforce system as needed.

* Liaison with other schools/departments outside of SESP to enroll SESP graduate students in non-SESP courses (and…