Job Summary
This position reports to the Executive Director for Academic Advising. The Associate Director of Advisement Training and Technology is a key member of East Tennessee State University's central advisement team. The advising model features professional advisors and some faculty advisors in a decentralized advisement structure across seven academic colleges and one central advisement center serving undecided students. The Associate Director designs and conducts training for academic advisors and related staff; organizes and funds opportunities supporting the professional development of academic advisors and related staff; designs and maintains ETSU's central advisement website for students, faculty, and staff; and provides user support for ETSU's electronic advisement systems. The position assists the Executive Director in developing and implementing advising initiatives and training, supporting faculty and academic advisors, and collecting and assessing data to inform advising practices and coordinated care strategies using EAB Navigate.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of best practices in academic advising and ability to provide administrative support in areas of policy and coordination between various campus entities Thorough knowledge of student information systems (e.g., Banner), degree-audit systems (e.g., Degree Works), and student success management systems
- Knowledge of ETSU policies, processes, procedures, structure, academic programs, and student services
- Knowledge of university curriculum, including graduation, general education, and learning support requirements
- Knowledge of ETSU's academic and student support services
- Ability to communicate effectively with large groups and individuals, especially in training settings
- Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data to assess advising programs, standardize reporting, and monitor advising quality and capacity
- Strong teamwork, leadership, and collaborative problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Thorough knowledge of presentation software
- Ability to effectively interact with a diverse faculty, staff and student population while representing academic advising
- Ability to design and maintain websites with technical support from Information Technology Services
Required Qualifications
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with students in academic support services or related field in higher education
- One (1) year of professional work experience as an academic advisor or counselor
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree with a specialization in student services, counseling, education, or related field.
- Three (3) years of experience as an effective college-level academic advisor
- Experience with student success, educational, and advising technologies
- Project management experience
Job Duties
Essential Job Duties:
- Supports long-term strategic planning and vision for academic advising by collaborating with the Executive Director to develop and implement initiatives that enhance advising effectiveness, student success, and retention while assessing emerging trends, setting goals, and aligning advising strategies with the university's mission and student success priorities
- Works with the Executive Director of Academic Advisement to assess academic advisement practices and outcomes at ETSU
- Participates in developing initiatives to enhance the overall effectiveness of academic advising.
- Leads or serves on committees and working groups related to advising, retention, and the student experience and contributes to policy development to support transitional advising services and student handoffs between advisors
- Designs, maintains, and updates ETSU's central advisement website, onboarding materials, advisor manuals, and process documents to support standardized advising best practices across campus
- Provides strategic leadership, implementation, information sessions, and training for key areas university-wide to promote student success, retention, persistence, progression, time-to-degree, and graduation
- Monitors compliance with institutional standards, policies, and procedures to ensure alignment with university, state, and federal regulations while collaborating with stakeholders to refine best practices and provide guidance on policy interpretation to support effective and ethical advising
- Provides system application administration for student success and advising technologies, including the operation, maintenance, and development of these tools
- Provides user support for ETSU's electronic advisement systems
- Collaborates with ITS staff to troubleshoot technical issues related to advisement platforms and appropriately escalate issues when necessary
- Coordinates academic advising procedures with campus departments, schools, and colleges
- Oversees distribution of information to academic advisors and other affected parties concerning curricular changes, enrollment practices, training and professional development opportunities, and other matters
- Assists in the facilitation of summer pre-orientation registration advising and day-of orientation advising for incoming first-year and transfer students
- Designs, conducts, and evaluates training for academic advisors, program specialists, faculty mentors, and undergraduate student staff in advisement
- Organizes and funds opportunities supporting the professional development of academic advising staff.
- Oversees advisor social and appreciation activities and events
- Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises one to two graduate assistants
- Manages the budget for advisement training and technology initiatives, including allocating funds for professional development opportunities and training resources
- Works with the Executive Director of Academic Advisement to leverage data analytics and student success platforms to improve undergraduate retention, graduation, and time to degree
- Assists in developing strategies to improve ETSU's early alert process to enhance student engagement, success, and retention
Works with campus stakeholders (Registration and Records, Center for Academic Achievement, Disability Services, Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, and pre-professional advisors) and program directors to ensure coordinated efforts, efficient communication, strategic and targeted outreach to high-support students, and comprehensive student advising services with the goal of integrated, holistic advising that fosters a sense of belonging and supports student success