Director of Academic Advising and Retention

The Director of Academic Advising Services will report directly to the Associate Provost and Dean of UC. The Director will provide vision and oversight for advising services and retention efforts. The Director will collaborate with university constituents regarding persistence, retention, and graduation of students. The Director will serve on various university and external committees that address issues such as general education, strategies for student success, pedagogy, and to ensure that academic advising and career counseling are not independent of one another. Additionally, the Director will support student success unit-wide initiatives and events such as the Academic/Major Fairs, Residential Academic Program events, Admissions events, etc. It will be the responsibility of the Director to ensure that there is collaborative programming and engagement with the other units in UC.

Job responsibilities require excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to provide leadership and work collaboratively with a wide range of constituencies to support the mission and strategic initiatives of the institution specifically as they relate to academic advising. Work activities are carried out independently, under general direction, working from established policies and objectives. The Director should exercise sound judgment in prioritizing, planning, and organizing their own work within time, process and results requirements; determines processes and sequences to follow based on needs and urgency required by the circumstances. Problems found in this position are varied, often complex, and sometimes ill-defined, requiring analysis and interpretation of the situation and related circumstances. Decisions have broad, significant implications for the management and operations of the undergraduate academic advising unit within the University.

Oversees and manages all aspects pertaining to day-to-day operations and coordination of undergraduate academic advising at WSSU. As well, as working with graduate programs to ensure that advising services is abreast of graduate programs and curriculum to provide advising assistance and consultation when needed.

Supervises all assigned personnel ((Coordinators of Pre-Major and Transfer Advising and all ASCs) in collaboration with the Associate Provost and Dean within UC. Shared supervisory responsibilities typically include recommendations for hiring, firing, performance evaluation, work allocation, and problem resolution. Focused supervisory responsibilities include training, advising strategy development, and student-centered customer service.

Serves as liaison between advisors and academic departments in coordinating advising in relation to curriculum requirements to enhance or support degree completion and retention.

Collaborates with supervisor to create, implement, and maintain a campus-wide academic advising council representative of all appropriate undergraduate advising constituencies.

Collaborates with supervisor and academic advising advisory team to develop, create, implement and maintain an advising mission, vision, goal statements, student learning outcomes, and advisor performance outcomes that align with the University's mission and vision.

Collaborates with supervisor and academic advising advisory team to develop and maintain advising and advisor assessment programs.

Collaborates with supervisor and academic advising advisory team to create and maintain an academic advising syllabus.

Collaborates with supervisor and academic advising advisory team to create, implement, and maintain a student/customer service protocol for undergraduate academic advising.

Advisor Training & Development Initiatives
Facilitate regular new advisor training sessions, including management of access requests, training invitations and approval processes, developing and maintaining advisor resource guides, creating and communicating training schedules.

Assist in the development and facilitation of advisor workshops and training series, and advanced advisor professional development opportunities.

Support advisor training and resources associated with New Students Orientation/Ramdition.

Provide daily end-user support for faculty/staff utilizing EAB, which includes but is not limited to, responding to email requests for help, hosting departmental based training sessions, etc.

Hill Hall, Room 230

8 am - 5pm Monday - Friday
Some evening and weekend hours required

Bachelor's required, Masters degree preferred in Student Development/Higher Education, Adult Education, or related field preferred; a minimum of two (2) years professional experience in advising; excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.

12 months

Please Note: A criminal background check will be conducted on candidate finalist prior to the offer of employment.

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and T&E requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. The application must be competed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered.

Failure to complete the application completely may result in you not being considered for the vacant position.

Your application for the position will not be complete until you receive an online confirmation number at the end of the process of applying for a position.

Winston Salem State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran and National Guard.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at OHR@wssu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodation in the application and interview process, please call 336-750-2834