Academic Advisor II, Hospitality Business Management

GRADE: 29E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The University of Delaware’s business school, the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, is a hub for innovation, business and economics research and career success. With hands-on experiences and a technology-driven curriculum, Lerner equips students to navigate the evolving business world and drive change worldwide.

Under the general direction of the Department Chair of Hospitality & Sport Business Management (with input from the Senior Assistant Dean, Student Services), the Academic Advisor II is responsible for providing academic advising services to freshman through senior-level Hospitality Industry Management and Hospitality Business Management majors in the Department of Hospitality & Sport Business Management of the Lerner College of Business & Economics.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advise undergraduate students, including dual enrollment, exchange and honors students, from matriculation through graduation, help with degree requirements, academic policies, registration, experiential learning, study abroad programs, internships, and graduation requirements.
• Support student success, retention, and degree completion by monitoring academic progress, implementing early intervention strategies, evaluating transfer coursework, conducting degree audits, guiding students through graduation, and connecting students with appropriate academic and well-being resources.
• Monitor key performance indicators related to student engagement, satisfaction, retention, graduation, and career outcomes. Provide data to the Department Chair for review. Support departmental evaluation and continuous improvement efforts.
• Represent the Hospitality department at Blue & Gold Days, Decision Days, Discovery Days, New Student Orientation, transfer events, and other University recruitment events to engage with prospective students and families to promote the Hospitality program. Participate in Lerner College undergraduate events including convocation, academic orientations, major fairs, and probation meetings.
• Handle the logistics of the Paul Wise speaker series.
• Perform senior checkouts to include reviewing student transcripts for completion of degree requirements, submission of course substitution requests, and communication with students regarding degree completion and accuracy of audits. Contacts students on probation or in academic difficulty through individual contact, and continual follow-up.
• Serve as the contact for prospective and transfer students. Advise students on applicability of transfer credits.
• Administer and support current and future dual enrollment agreements and other high-school related recruiting activities together with department chair and faculty.
• Inform students of the opportunities available within Lerner Career Services such as: professional development and career readiness programming, workshops, résumé reviews, LinkedIn training, mock interviews, professional etiquette programs, mentoring programs, employer information sessions, networking events, and industry panels. Act as a liaison between the Hospitality department and Lerner Career Services.
• Support Hospitality recruitment and enrollment initiatives through the collection of student success stories and the development of advising related communication materials, assist with the coordination of student ambassadors, collaborate with Admissions and Lerner College recruitment staff to support departmental strategies for enrollment growth.
• Provide administrative support for the engagement and activities of the Hospitality Advisory Board as well as alumni engagement efforts.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in student personnel, college counseling or other related field preferred. Master’s degree preferred.
• A strong customer service orientation
• Knowledge of hospitality, and/or sport business education preferred, including neighboring fields like travel and tourism management or real estate.
• Effective presentation and group facilitation skills. Ability to present effectively to small and large groups and to work productively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to grasp, retain, and disseminate an extensive and varied body of information.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and employ decision making skills under the guidance of the supervisor.
• Ability to evaluate student transcripts and/or records. 
• Knowledge of academic standards governing student probation, suspension, and/or expulsion and student recruitment and retention issues.
• Ability to communicate student course prerequisites, certification, and/or curriculum/graduation requirements.
• Advanced working knowledge of advisement policies, procedures, systems, regulations, and standards at the university level.
• Effective analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to analyze, summarize, and effectively present data.
• Proficient computer skills including use of presentation software, Excel, Zoom, and experience with UDSIS. 
• Ability to communicate professionally and employ tact and diplomacy with multiple stakeholders including students, parents, faculty, alumni, corporate representatives, other universities, government officials and funding agencies.

 Special requirements:

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, as the responsibilities of the position will require participation in evening and weekend activities.