Academic Advisor/Recruitment And Retention Specialist

The University of Washington Tacoma is an anchor institution that is deeply invested in its local communities and in student success. As one of three campuses of a world-class university, UW Tacoma is dedicated to interdisciplinary and innovative teaching and scholarship and to engaging the community in mutually beneficial partnerships.

UW Tacoma's commitment to access and diversity is central to an environment where students, staff, faculty and South Sound residents find abundant opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth. More information about UW Tacoma and its strategic plan can be found here.

The School of Education (SOE) at UW Tacoma (UWT) has an outstanding opportunity for a full-time professional staff to serve as an Academic Advisor/Recruitment and Retention Specialist (Counseling Services Coordinator) as part of our dynamic Advising Team. This position will closely collaborate with faculty and staff colleagues to ensure that all recruitment and retention activities align with the expectations outlined by the Washington State Professional Educators Standards Board (PESB), other relevant accrediting bodies/professional organizations, as well as our school-wide Strategic Enrollment Management Plan (SEM), and will collaborate and coordinate with UWT Enrollment Services, University Academic Advising, and Marketing and Communications on campus-wide enrollment management, student success and communication initiatives and strategies. This role will require active engagement with UW Tacoma students, local communities, professional organizations, and school districts to recruit, retain, and support students who represent the demographics of the South Sound.

This role will report directly to the Enrollment & Student Services Lead (Advising Lead) in the School of Education. This role will be assigned a caseload of students by the Advising Lead. Strong candidates must demonstrate an ability and willingness to work effectively with a diverse range of students, administrators, faculty, staff, and external constituencies; and possess a work style that reflects cultural humility, flexibility, inclusive excellence, and teamwork.

SOE offers 6 academic programs, including a new Bachelor of Arts in Education (with 2 tracks), 2 Education Minors, Teacher Certification Program (with 4 tracks at the graduate level), Master of Education for Practicing Educators, Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology, Educational Administration Program (K-12 Principal and Central Administrator preparation), and Doctorate in Educational Leadership. To learn more about SOE, visit our website: https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/soe

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Advising (40%)

Main duties include the following, which may include 1:1 and group advising.

Recruitment and Pre-Admissions:

Manage the admissions process and monitor electronic application materials through UW MyGrad, Slate or other applicable admission systems.

Screen all applicant materials for minimum qualifications. Conduct preliminary review of all completed files, including transcript evaluation for potential prerequisite classes, calculating GPA, and obtaining required test scores as applicable.

Provide assistance to prospective students from the first point of contact through submitting a completed application. Advising includes informing applicants of any required WA State tests for admission or completion of certification.

Correspond with and support applicants regarding the status of their application files, providing accurate and timely academic and professional advising to prospective students. Discuss campus services, programs, and policies, and procedures in depth.

Create and maintain application files that represent the e-files that are used for admission review by program faculty and post-admission advisors.

Document and confirm final admission decisions, communicating final outcomes to prospective students in a timely manner. Track and document student acceptance.

Retention & Support:

Work with the Advising Team and faculty directors to support admitted students to complete admission steps.

Work with the Advising Team and faculty directors to retain and support students through program completion.

Provide course scheduling advice and registration codes to enrolled students.

Support admitted and enrolled students with tasks such as grade appeals and petition requests.

Provide enrolled students with information and resources related to campus services and wrap-around support as needed.

Partner with appropriate faculty and staff colleagues to address student concerns. Similarly, support students in navigating conflict and other challenging situations that may impede their performance and progress.

Partner with faculty and staff, and other external stakeholders, in coordinating and planning relevant career-related events and services.

Academic Program Recruiting (50%)

Actively coordinate and participate in recruitment events in collaboration with the Advising Team and faculty directors and program faculty, under the primary supervision of the Advising Lead. Examples of representative work include:

Update and maintain recruitment materials, including program advertisements, brochures, and web content.

Regularly update the school's social media channels and presence (i.e., Facebook) with recruiting and program information. Develop new recruitment and social media channels as appropriate.

Host multiple information sessions off and on site per year (including virtual sessions) that offer detailed information about our academic programs and student admission processes to the UW. Follow up with attendees as appropriate to continue the recruiting cycle and answer their questions in a timely manner.

Serve as the school's representative at UWT meetings related to recruitment and advising. e.g., participate in Graduate Program Nights and other UWT new/prospective student events.

With the Advising Team, coordinate, schedule, and participate in career fairs and recruitment events in PK-12 districts and in the community, as well as at UWT (e.g., with class visits, Registered Student Organizations, etc.).

Maintain and update lists of prospective students for each program. The goal is to move prospective students through the admissions process and have a high yield of admitted applicants who commit to/register for courses.

Maintain close relationships with external organizations and actively network to recruit future students into our academic programs.

Other Support Duties (10%):

Attend/participate in program and school-wide faculty-staff meetings.

Provide program-related data, such as enrollment and retention numbers, as needed to key stakeholders.

Serve on SOE and/or UWT campus committees, specifically those that are aligned to the position and candidate's interests.

Attend and support SOE and UWT events such as new-student orientation, open houses, hooding/commencement/graduation ceremonies, career fairs, etc.

Provide occasional front-desk coverage as needed to support inquiries from the public during regular business hours.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 2 years of academic advising or related experience serving diverse students.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications, except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

A demonstrated commitment to serving diverse communities and learners.

A clear commitment to advancing equity-centered approaches to advising, mentoring, and support diverse students.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information accurately and succinctly to diverse communities, groups, and individuals.

The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, including attention to details and skills in project management, especially the ability to work in a self-directed way to manage multiple projects and tasks.

Punctuality and other professional work habits are vital, as this team member often co-leads and co-plans (or does so on own) key events or meetings.

The ability to provide accurate, confidential, sound, and timely guidance to students and other stakeholders who need information about program requirements.

Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Willingness to learn new technologies.

Technological proficiency with basic data, web-based, and other information systems.

Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines and projects.

Willing to work a flexible schedule with some evening and/or weekend hours.

Must be able to frequently travel and occasionally travel to in-state meetings. Transportation and travel-related costs will be reimbursed in accordance with UW's travel policy.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree with a minimum of 2 years academic advising or related experience.

Experience advising diverse students in professional programs.

Application Process:

To apply for this position, please submit the following:

A cover letter, no longer than 2 pages, describing your interest and qualifications for this position. In your cover letter, also integrate specific examples of your commitment to and experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion.

An updated resume showing all degrees/credentials earned or in progress, as well as your employment history.

A list of 3 professional references. Per UW policy, UW employees who advance in a search must use a current or immediate supervisor as a reference. Finalists may be asked to prepare a short presentation and submit work samples relevant to the role.

Please direct any questions about this position to uwted@uw.edu.

Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.

These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.