| Location | Mesa, AZ |
(Multiple Positions Available)
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT
The Division of Student Affairs is comprised of student-centered units and services that are dedicated to advancing the quality, cohesiveness, and cultural relevancy of the student experience at MCC and beyond. The Office of Student Retention and Completion is a part of the Student Affairs Division and drives the successful improvement of student retention and graduation rates while serving as a centralized space for students to access common student services to strengthen their ability to navigate Mesa Community College and achieve their academic and career aspirations. The goal of the Retention and Completion area is to enhance the student experience by providing support with educational planning, resource awareness, and success strategies. The unit leads, coordinates, and implements targeted interventions guided by evidence-based practices and institutional data and analytics to support student success and the institution's retention and persistence goals through the provision of academic supports and early intervention strategies that promote student success. The office provides a myriad of workshops, activities, and programming that promote a successful college transition, student development and self-efficacy, academic and personal success, engagement, timely graduation, and lifelong learning from the first year to graduation. In addition, the Office of Student Retention and Completion leads and supports large- and small-scale assessment projects, while developing and monitoring early alert systems and protocols. The unit is comprised of critical functional areas that include: Academic Advising, First-Year Success, TRiO, American Indian Institute, International Education, and Mesa College Promise.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The academic advisor plays a critical retention role in providing academic advising services and has a strong commitment to advising students for academic, personal, and career success. The Academic Advisor serves as the primary advisor for their assigned student caseload and works closely with the faculty and other student service departments to provide students with the support and resources needed to achieve their goals. The purpose of the academic advisor position is to provide students with personalized guidance for academic planning and career pathways. The scope of the role entails in-person and virtual student services in support of persistence and retention for credential/degree completion.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
Within a case management model approach to interacting and managing students with academic advising needs, the advisor provides guidance to MCC students about academic, transfer, career/workforce, and student development issues, needs, or experiences. The Academic Advisor is student focused, connection building, and compassionate problem solvers. An advisor works closely with potential and currently enrolled students to identify career pathways in academic and workforce programs that match their interests and skills. The advisor serves as a resource to assist individuals in overcoming academic and non-academic barriers that may affect their ability to complete their educational goals successfully. Knowledge and understanding of specific needs of varying student populations and a commitment to helping learners attain educational success are critical responsibilities for this role. The work of an advisor is proactive and designed to assist the student to the completion of a credential or degree. Advisors will utilize a variety of technology solutions in addition in-person and virtual interactions to connect with students. The ability to utilize and learn new technology and the willingness to work in different environments is essential. The successful candidate must be caring, organized, communicative, and flexible.
Essential Functions
40% Academic Advising
Provide in-person, phone, virtual, face-to-face, chat, and email academic planning and advising to current, returning, and 'Stop Out' students on degree programs, including course selection, academic planning, college adjustment, and referrals to college resources.
Manage a caseload of students and guide MCC students on academic, transfer, career/workforce, and student development issues, needs, or experiences through ongoing assessment of individualized resources and access-based needs to support the achievement of the students' goals including, but not limited to, executing skill building, ensuring proper program placement, successful enrollment, course completion, retention, graduation, transfer and/or job placement, and triaging student crises.
Apply advanced student development and academic advising theories, knowledge, and experience to support community college students in identifying, defining, and obtaining educational goals.
Engage and build relationships with students through scheduled advising appointments, drop-in advising hours, email communications, workshops, and presentations to maximize their experience at MCC.
Empower students through holistic, high-touch, collaborative advising to achieve their own definition of academic and personal success.
Advise students on a wide range of course possibilities and ways to complete complicated degree requirements.
Educate students on the full range of academic and nonacademic opportunities, such as internships, undergraduate research, scholarships, and extracurricular activities.
Verify degree completion requirements.
Communicating regularly with students.
Conduct timely outreach to at-risk students and help them create action plans for improvement.
Communicate accurate and timely information and feedback to students.
Provide expert advice on institutional policies, academic standing, and graduation requirements, ensuring students remain on track.
Track and monitor student academic progress and maintain accurate student outreach records and other interactions utilizing technology and system.
Conduct assessments of students' needs to make referrals to supports and services.
Provide guidance to students in the development of academic plans, selection of courses to meet program, graduation, and transfer requirements and registration procedures by using knowledge of sound academic advising, curriculum/course requirements, and policies and procedures of the admissions/enrollment, business, financial aid, and veteran affairs offices.
Provide academic planning and advising guidance to current, returning, and prospective MCC students in-person, via phone, virtual face-to-face meeting, chat, and email.
Identify at-risk students and implement strategies that promote and support student success.
Provide coaching to students on academic and learning strategies.
Embed learning opportunities into practices to develop student self-advocacy skills and foster autonomy.
Work collaboratively with unit colleagues to develop high-quality student resources (e.g., training, handbooks, workshops, presentations, forums).
Connect students with relevant on- and off-campus resources and offer guidance and support in navigating dynamic, fast-paced learning environments.
Demonstrate capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
Support students and counsel them to better understand their MCC experience.
Implement and continually develop best practices.
Contribute toward creating a positive and respectful workplace.
30% Early Alert and Student Support
Use the full functionality of the early alert system to maintain information regarding student appointments, alerts, progress surveys, and other necessary information adhering to data integrity standards.
Assist with monitoring the early alert system for first-year students and implement interventions to promote retention.
Monitor and respond to the early alert flags for assigned students at risk and implement interventions to promote retention.
Respond to the early alert flags for assigned students at risk and implement interventions to promote retention.
Collaborate with students to identify barriers contributing to academic decline and/or disengagement, as well as personal strengths and community resources to overcome those obstacles.
Provide outreach to students who miss classes or fall behind.
Support students under Academic Review after their student status is no longer in "Good Standing."
10% Program and Event Participation
Assist with and participate in planning and executing retention-related programs, workshops, and events.
Assist with planning and facilitate/co-facilitate presentations, workshops, and/or online supplemental resources to teach specific academic skill sets to the students who most need them (e.g., Strategic Study Skills, Time Management, Learning Strategy, Avoiding Procrastination).
Assist with planning and facilitate/co-facilitate workshops, panel discussions, (e.g., New Student Orientation, Major Declaration, Campus Days, Tutor Training, Academic Coaching, Faculty Orientation) and other sessions for students, faculty, and staff on a variety of topics including advising, transfer, etc.
Support the development of recruitment strategies and events for the college in collaboration with college leadership.
Review data and adjust details to increase program effectiveness and student outcomes.
10% Data, Reporting, and Compliance
Ensure compliance and adhere to federal, state, District Office, and institutional regulations/laws/policies.
Maintain confidentiality and accuracy of student records, files, and correspondence as required by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), accreditation agencies, organizational policies, and administrative regulations to ensure compliance.
Research, collect, and analyze data or information and prepare reports or responses to inquiries.
Support data collection efforts for evaluating program effectiveness and student outcomes.
Collect and organize data related to student retention, academic performance, and engagement.
Use access to sensitive and/or not yet public college-related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of the position and exercise care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
Utilize relevant, appropriate, and approved systems to communicate and monitor student interaction and progress.
Remain abreast of district, state, and federal regulations.
Prepare accurate reports and documentation as required and requested.
Ensure students equal access to MCC's curricular and co-curricular activities.
5% Leadership
Participate in assigned strategic enrollment initiatives which include but are not limited to new student orientation, Guided Pathways initiatives, and First-Year Experience activities.
Evaluate effectiveness of student engagement and prepare reports as needed for supervisors.
Develop and coordinate appropriate group-mentoring initiatives to provide academic, personal, and career enrichment activities, such as welcome events, team building, and service learning.
Assist with the overall evaluation of the program including disaggregated data collection and analysis of key measurements of the Program.
5% Other
Serve on various executive boards, college and district committees (including locally, regionally, and nationally) as designated and participate in meetings and conferences.
Responsible for other reasonable related duties as assigned commensurate to the grade level of the position.