A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) is the largest college at the University of Michigan, enrolling the majority of U-M's undergraduate students. The Newnan Academic Advising Center plays a central role in supporting and engaging these students throughout their academic journey. Newnan advisors prioritize each student's unique needs and interests, offering personalized guidance as they navigate their academic paths and uncover meaningful opportunities within LSA. In addition to this individualized support, Newnan provides specialized advising for students across the College who are pursuing pre-law and pre-health pathways. Through a combination of best practices in advising, innovative programming, and experiential learning, we help students and alumni explore their interests, prepare effectively, and successfully apply to professional programs in law and health.
The Newnan Academic Advising Center supports undergraduate liberal arts students in achieving their success and growth by empowering them to make informed and purpose driven decisions.
Newnan advisors work with students to:
- connect and synthesize experiences inside and outside the classroom
- co-create their academic journey
- talk through the decision making process
The student success advisor position is situated within the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center and is responsible for the individual engagement of students from orientation to graduation that is grounded in best practices and research in advising and student success. The successful candidate will play a central role in supporting LSA undergraduate students who are experiencing academic challenges, with a particular focus on students on Academic Progress Notice and those navigating barriers to academic success. During peak times, the student success advisor may also support advising needs beyond their student success caseload. Through a holistic, student-centered approach, they will partner with students to develop individualized success plans, promote self-efficacy, and connect students with appropriate campus resources and support services. They will build collaborative relationships across the college and university to facilitate timely referrals and coordinated care, ensuring students have access to the academic, personal, financial, and wellness resources needed to persist and thrive. The successful candidate will also contribute to a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment that values the diverse identities, experiences, and strengths of students and staff.
The student success advisor position is expected to maintain an assigned caseload of student success advising students. Additionally, they will work to provide student success programming and resources for individuals and groups that aim to support student persistence and retention college-wide.
Student Advising (50%)
- Assist students in their self-assessment of interests and skills pertinent to academic work, co-curricular interests, and career options
- Advise students regarding probation, suspension, and exceptions to College policies and requirements
- Coordinate with partners on campus to help students get back on track after academic difficulties
- Help students make connections between their coursework and the Liberal Arts
- Provide accurate information about College courses and curriculum
- Provide accurate information about College and University policies, procedures, resources and programs
- Serve as an informed resource for students and make referrals when appropriate
- May advise students regarding course selection during the Summer, Fall, and Winter Orientation and Registration programs
- Alert students to options and new opportunities consistent with their growth and development
Student Success - Administrative Activities (30%)
- Create and administer student success resources including group advising materials and presentations and systems to support student persistence and retention College-wide
- Research and implement national best practices pertaining to student success and support to ensure work is proactive, streamlined, and student centered
- Educate, train, and advise students, parents, faculty, and staff on College and Academic Progress Notice policies and procedures
Service to Newnan (20%)
- Serve as a campus partner with UM academic departments, schools, colleges or administrative units
- Represent the Newnan and/or the college by establishing and maintaining relationships with both internal and external schools, programs, and professional organizations
- Contribute to the design and/or delivery of support programming that responds to the current needs of students as well as current trends
- Represent Newnan and/or the college at recruitment and retention activities and events
- Participate in opportunities such as committees, task forces, working groups, etc.
- Ongoing professional development and continuous learning
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
General supervision is received from the Associate Director for Student Success in the Newnan Advising Center.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year university
- Demonstrated experience in advising or mentoring college students
- Previous experience providing and developing supports for students of academic concern
- Ability and commitment to foster a welcoming and supportive community, working with students from diverse backgrounds and identities
- Proven ability to successfully work in a collaborative team environment
- Understanding of student success work in a college setting and high-impact practices (i.e. utilizing learning outcomes)
- Experience creating and implementing student programming
- Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive and respectful working relationships with students, staff, and faculty
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Ability to maintain the integrity of confidential materials and student information
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/about/vision-mission-values.html.
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
