(Hybrid) Senior Advising Specialist - Multidisciplinary Studies Programs

The Multidisciplinary Studies Program in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Senior Advising Specialist.

About the Opportunity

The Senior Advising Specialist in the Multidisciplinary Studies Program is responsible for maintaining and implementing a proactive advising culture rooted in best practices for the different majors (Multidisciplinary Studies, Integrated Studies and Regents Bachelor of Arts). The position assists students in the development of an educational plan of study and/or clarifying educational goals and monitoring student progress. The Senior Advising Specialist directly provides assistance and special programming services to students. These traditional and non-traditional students have highly diverse needs, and the Senior Advising Specialist must have strong knowledge in the areas of learning and human development, pedagogical theory and practice, and specific curricular requirements of WVU academic programs.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
  
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
  
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
  
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
  
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
  
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
  
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Advising:

• Develop academic and career orientation advising to students who are transitioning into the program.
• Advise approximately 150 traditional and non-traditional undergraduate majors in the three programs (BIS, MDS, RBA).
• Conduct one-on-one advising sessions with students to explore career goals, explain program requirements, and provide a detailed course plan based on the student's strengths and career aspirations.
• Reviews RBA and BIS students' academic records to evaluate benefits of F-Forgiveness, or, in appropriate cases, of Academic Forgiveness.
• Evaluate credit for prior learning for professional, volunteer, and military experiences in select areas via the many credits for prior learning options available through the RBA and BIS majors.
• Collaborate with students to build schedules with the necessary degree pursuant courses based on their academic and career goals as well as financial aid packages
• Analyze students' schedules to ensure they will pass a Veteran or a Financial aid audit; make recommendations on alternate coursework that will allow students to maintain their aid and progress toward graduation.
• Create academic connections between major coursework and career opportunities. Provide students connections to departmental, college, university, and/or community experiential opportunities.
• Monitor students' progress in the major (90-credit checks, benchmark reports), early alert, and mid-semester grades.
• Based on the data collected, contact students and make recommendations for graduation.
• Establish short-term plans of study for students who are not meeting their chosen major 's benchmarks.
• Assist students to select from alternative majors that will lead to graduation and a career of interest to them.
• Analyze student performance, retention, career preparedness, and outreach data in consultation with director and team of advisers for departmental programmatic assessment.
• Participate in New Student Orientation to advise incoming freshmen.
• Respond to student requests/emails in a timely manner.

Retention and Recruitment:

• Identify and provide timely outreach for at-risk students to assist in college/university retention initiatives. Provide follow-up advising for those students.
• Assists adult learners in analyzing and identifying solutions to academic problems; identify personal issues and refer students to appropriate resources/representatives/units (e.g. assistant dean, associate dean, academic chairpersons, Office of Student Life, etc.).
• Recruit back: prepare messaging campaigns and recruit students who want to come back to WVU to complete their degree.
• Attend recruitment events.

Miscellaneous:

• Acquire an active knowledge of university policies, procedures, and degree-auditing platforms with regards to student
  advising and graduation certification.
• Assist students with federal financial aid appeals in compliance with the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility and deadlines established by the Office of Financial Aid.
• Work closely throughout the year with the director and advising/instruction team on advising strategies, college retention, at-risk student support, department-taught course content and delivery, and participate in staff meetings and development
  activities.
• Actively participate in college committees and College/University workshops on advising and undergraduate performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Master's degree in a related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience advising and teaching at the College level.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong presentation skills (virtual and in person).
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills for scheduling and records maintenance.
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures and established rules and regulations.
• Ability to work with an academically and culturally diverse group of students.
• Ability to use computer software for communication and organization.
• Ability to understand and resolve issues that arise with students concerning the areas of academics, person, social and career development.
• Ability to synthesize data trends (enrollment, grades, advising) to identify patterns and propose action based on those findings.
• Ability to perform office and administrative procedures and keep accurate and updated records.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and with students on a group and individual basis.
• Ability to evaluate high school and college transcripts based on established eligibility and major degree requirements.
• Ability to accurately plan program of study and advise students on progress towards their degree.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.