Program Advisor - Nursing & Health Professions

Program Advisor - Nursing & Health Professions

Virginia Western Community College is a two-year public institution of higher education operating under the Virginia Community College System, a statewide system of community colleges. The College operates under the policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Virginia Western Community College Local Advisory Board. Virginia Western is located on a 70-acre campus in southwest Roanoke, VA. The service region of the College includes Roanoke, Salem, Roanoke County, Craig County, Franklin County, and southern Botetourt County.

The College was established in 1966 and has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current annual enrollment of over 9,000 students in credit courses and more than 1,400 enrollments in fast-track workforce and continuing education courses. Virginia Western is seeking to fill a Program Advisor position supporting our Nursing and Health Professions students. The Program Advisor serves returning students as they continue their educational programs after initial enrollment to the college.

Duties performed are in accordance with delivery of a team approach for successful student learning outcomes utilizing a progressive advising model. Incumbents fulfill the mission of academic advising, which includes efforts to partner with students to help them define, plan and progress towards their educational goals by fostering independence, facilitating a professional, supportive environment and promoting student development skills. Located within the assigned academic school, the Program Advisors will serve returning program-placed students with guidance and information relative to course requirements for specific programs, program differentiations, details about guaranteed admissions and articulation agreements with four-year institutions, graduation requirements and processes, goal-setting for program completion, and financial planning for sustained enrollment through graduation.

Program Advisors will actively participate in college-wide retention efforts, including proactive student outreach, to promote equity, access, success, and completion. Establishment and maintenance of close working relationships with teaching faculty and academic deans is essential in this role. Located in and specific to the assigned academic school, the position is a member of the overall Advising team of new student advisors, program advisors and faculty advisors.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience providing direct student support in a helping profession, advising, or case management environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, written, and active listening skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customer service to diverse student populations.
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to assess student needs, develop action plans, and connect students with appropriate resources.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and multiple technology platforms, including student information systems and advising software.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of academic advising, student success practices, and the mission of a community college.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and Saturdays as needed.

Additional Considerations:

• Experience providing academic advising in higher education, K-12, Non-Profit, or in a community college setting.
• Experience with case management and holistic student support.
• Experience advising students in competitive admission programs.
• Experience facilitating workshops, orientations, or student success programming.
• Knowledge of career goal setting, transfer, and student support services.
• Background in or knowledge of health professions programs.
• Experience using student success technologies, including advising, degree planning, or early alert systems.
• Experience using data to improve student retention, persistence, and completion.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer