TITLE
Senior Academic Advisor & Retention Specialist
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist provides academic advising and retention support to undergraduate students at Texas Woman’s University. The Senior Academic Advisor reports to a designated advising administrator in University Academic Advising and supports a diverse population of students, including pre-nursing, first-generation, Pell-eligible, DACA, or underrepresented student populations.
This position promotes student persistence and retention by addressing barriers that may impact student success and degree completion. The Senior Academic Advisor monitors, tracks, and measures student retention through metrics such as continued enrollment, migration to a new major, completed credit hours, and academic standing. They will implement retention projects that support the institution's enrollment goals and collaborate with campus stakeholders on university-wide initiatives to increase the persistence of current and unenrolled students.
The Senior Academic Advisor will be assigned additional advising duties during peak advising periods, registration, and orientation. They will analyze data to create projects that support enrollment and retention goals and department advising initiatives. Work is performed independently under limited supervision and performance is based upon completion of assignments and results obtained. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to : Designated Academic Administrator
Supervises: May supervise student assistants.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:
Academic Advising (50%)
Provides proactive advising to current students about academic requirements and selection of courses.
Conducts advising sessions using multiple platforms (in-person, email, phone, virtual).
Assists students with short and long-term program evaluation and degree planning.
Analyzes and processes degree audits, change of major, and other required academic forms.
Assists students in understanding university and state rules for college readiness, course repetition, credit limits, and related guidelines required to graduate in a timely manner.
Uses computer software and university data systems to maintain records and document advising interactions (TSI compliance, Student Planning, Colleague, GMedia, etc.).
Connects students to relevant on-campus and off-campus resources.
Retention (50%)
Identifies and advises students who are not reaching degree program and academic milestones as defined by university policies and academic program requirements.
Prepares reports on student progress and creates interventions to address student barriers to success.
Monitors and tracks the retention, progression , and graduation of students within assigned cohorts.
Guides students in using university resources and academic planning to enhance retention and graduation rates.
Designs and implements individualized outreach to students who are identified as academically vulnerable.
Assists with the implementation of university retention strategies.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES
Represents advising at campus events and programs.
Supports students in reaching their academic and career goals.
Provides advising at new student and transfer student orientation programs.
Provides mentorship to advisors pertaining to best practices and university policy.
Establishes and maintains contact with university departments to clarify and document departmental expectations for advising.
Promotes positive working relationships with students, staff, and faculty.
Participates in advisor professional development and training.
Supports advising initiatives as directed by University Academic Advising.
Performs other duties as requested.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, or related degree is preferred.
EXPERIENCE
Five years of academic advising experience is required. Work experience with vulnerable, first generation, and non-traditional student populations is strongly preferred. Knowledge of NACADA best practices preferred. Additional job-related education may be substituted for required experience.
REQUIREMENT
Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.
All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:
Work independently, and communicate institutional policies, procedures, and language to the general population.
Use professional judgment in ambiguous situations.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Work effectively and collaboratively in a diverse work environment.
Work in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and changing needs.
Knowledge of Texas Woman's University policies and procedures.
Experience with undergraduate degree programs in general subject areas of placement.
Establishes and maintains positive work relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the public.
Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
The employee will be required to travel. Employee may be required to work evenings and weekends.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment.
SAFETY
TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.
Texas Woman’s University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.
All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate’s ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman’s University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.
If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government. For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov .
