Director Of The Advising Center - Framingham State University

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Director of the Advising Center is charged with overseeing a center that is the central resource and support for advising across campus which includes collaborating with academic deans, department chairs, and faculty advisors but also with a full understanding and utilization of the various ways other departments and offices on campus advise students. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Student Success, the director is essential to maintaining the role of advising and the Advising Center as an essential part of the Division of Student Success's mission: strengthening the retention, persistence, and graduation rates of the students Framingham State serves.

The person in this position needs to have a holistic vision of advising. In addition to having a modified academic advising caseload, the Director is charged with facilitating cross-department teams, working groups, and trainings to create, coordinate, maintain, and support advising assessment strategies campus wide as well as for providing strategic vision for the Advising Center. This includes but is not limited to developing a data collection and analysis plan for the Advising Center so goals and objectives for the Center's work can be data-informed.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Vice President of Student Success

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Two Professional Advisors and Office Coordinator (shared supervision and use with Family Engagement)

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work collaboratively with the VP of Student Success on strategic vision and planning for the Advising Center which includes but is not limited to developing data-informed advising assessment plan and use data to make strategic changes to advising that directly impact retention and persistence

• Supervise professional staff and promote professional development opportunities for staff that supports strategic planning, assessment, and data analysis goals of the department as well as staff professional development goals

• Work with professional staff on developing innovative and timely advising materials in various accessible mediums (print, video, web)

• Develop and lead regular advising workshops for faculty and staff on topics relevant to strengthening faculty advisor knowledge

• Provide training on advising for new faculty hires and for new staff working directly with students

• Work closely with Academic Deans on faculty advising needs and support

• Act as Lead Advisor for Undeclared Students which includes but is not limited to advising incoming undeclared students

• Ensure that the Advising Center staff is up to date on policy changes across campus which will include but not be limited to establishing standing meetings with offices like Office of the University Registrar, Veteran Services, International Programs, and Career Development

• Collaborate with Registrar's Office on advising and registration processes

• Work with Financial Aid and Dean of Student Success and Persistence on Satisfactory Academic Progress academic appeal plans for students

• Assist with orientation programming during summer months and recruitment events throughout the year and coordinating office staff for that work.

• Chair the Academic Advising Advisory Group of faculty advisors and staff advising allies from across campus

• Responsible for Advising Center budget development and implementation and relevant grant proposals

• Other responsibilities as assigned or as developed by Director to support the division and university's strategic priorities

• Accountable for ensuring that affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The position requires some evening and weekend work, especially during new student onboarding events and advising trainings and workshops. The work associated with the Director's duties and responsibilities is performed at Framingham State's main campus and may be done periodically from a remote location consistent with the conditional provisions specified within University's Telework Guidelines and in accordance with an approved Telework Agreement.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The person who serves in this role needs to have experience advising the whole student and able to utilize holistic advising from multiple areas on campus to support student success. They need to be able to support staff within the department and across campus. To demonstrate this experience, a candidate should be able to exbibit the following:

• Bachelor's Degree

• At least five years academic advising experience in higher education

• Experience supervising staff and staff support

• Experience with workshop, training, and policy development & execution

• Work effectively and creatively with students, faculty, and staff from varied disciplines, experiences, offices, & backgrounds

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to set priorities, develop department goals, take initiative, and manage multiple demands in a busy office

• Apply sound judgment when dealing with administrative issues

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's Degree

• Experience with data collection and analysis (professional or educational)

• Ability to speak Spanish and/or Portuguese

• Experience with ERM (e.g. Banner) and student retention software (e.g. Starfish)

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit with a union title of Director. The starting salary range is $87,000-100,000.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer.

Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter,

• Resume/CV,

• Equity and Inclusion Statement*

• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references (references are not contacted automatically upon submission of application).

• The Equity and Inclusion Statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidate application materials.

For best consideration, please submit application materials by July 15, 2024. The review of applications may continue beyond that date and until the position is filled, at the discretion of the search committee.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.