Academic Advisor​/Assistant Professor Occupational Support Programs​/Promise Zone, Tenure Track

Academic Advisor

Academic Advisors serve a vital role in supporting the academic success and holistic development of our diverse student population. They work closely with students to provide guidance, support, and resources to help them navigate their educational journey effectively. A primary focus for this position is to empower students to make informed decisions and set academic and career goals. In addition, Academic Advisors develop personalized academic plans, course recommendations, as well as interventions and resources that lead to successful academic program completion.

At Grand Rapids Community College, academic advising is provided throughout the student lifecycle and across various student support programs. Based on location and/or department assignment, advisors will serve a caseload of students in the clarification of their academic and career goals and the development of a personalized academic plan. In addition, Academic Advisors will contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of academic program advising plans and transfer resources.

Academic Advisors will also provide additional services that promote student belonging, engagement, and academic success.

The Grand Rapids Promise Zone is a place-based scholarship program that provides qualifying high school students with access to attend Grand Rapids Community College for free, and pursue the academic, job-training or certificate program of their choice with support throughout their post-secondary journey. The Grand Rapids Promise Zone represents the first city-wide partnership between public, public charter, and private schools in Grand Rapids' history.

Promise Zone Academic Advisors will support students throughout their academic journey, including their transition from high school to college, with an emphasis on successful completion of their first year of college.

Our Promise Zone Academic Advisors will provide targeted, relevant, support to Promise Zone students through their caseload assignment. They will work in close partnership with Promise Zone team members to identify needs and deliver coordinated, holistic support, resources, and programming to Promise Zone students in high schools, as well as those attending GRCC. This may include—but is not limited to—workshops, new student orientation, and career exploration activities.

Essential Functions

• Provide proactive, personalized, and strategic academic and career advising for students regarding academic and workforce programs, degree and transfer requirements, and successful entry into a career field.
• Provide advising case management for assigned students that includes individualized academic planning, identification of potential obstacles and opportunities, and student development of decision-making skills that promote continued academic progress and success.
• Assist students to learn and apply skills that will help them to gather, organize, and use relevant information necessary to inform their educational, career, and personal development.
• Maintain clear and concise notes to document history of academic advice and engagement provided to individual students.
• Maintain a deep understanding of Promise Zone policies and procedures to anticipate student needs and barriers, and offer effective solutions and support strategies.
• Develop deep knowledge of Promise Zone transfer partnerships and requirements, and collaborate closely with advisors at the transfer institution to support a smooth student transition.
• Continuously develop expertise in supporting underrepresented student populations through research, training, and engagement with emerging trends.
• Develop and implement workshops and events to support students' transition to college, success skills and sense of belonging at GRCC.
• Use campus technology and data systems to develop, implement, and evaluate outreach, identify gaps in retention and completion outcomes, and support initiatives that improve student success outcomes.
• Participate and contribute to the assessment of student learning outcomes and departmental effectiveness.
• Work proactively to engage students through various means such as e-mail, phone,…