Academic Exploration Advisor (Student Services Professional 2 - MR09)

Center for Academic Support and Advisement

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

This advisor will assist students who have not declared a major and students denied admission to specific academic programs. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Identify, contact, and track students with undeclared majors through formal advising campaigns; report on campaign results; meet one-one-one with current and prospective students/families to discuss major/career options; teach multiple sections of USTU courses targeted at helping students find a major; administer inventories (Focus II, MBTI, SII) to students and hold meetings to discuss results; co-coordinate a Residential Learning Community for Academic and Career Exploration. A broad scope of knowledge about curriculum and progression requirements across campus must be maintained to successfully support students through the exploration process as they ultimately make decisions that impact their opportunities and academic path.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Academic Advising

• Use a broad scope of curriculum to provide quality academic advisement to assigned caseload, primarily consisting of students with a major of Undecided: first-year freshmen, transfer students, and continuing undeclared students during the academic year and orientation. Also includes covering designated office walk-in hours.

• Counsel students on academic issues, programmatic progress, and assist students in identifying and exploring academic areas of interest as they navigate through thoughtful educational planning.

• Assess individual student needs, make appropriate referrals to other campus services and resources as needed and aid students in establishing realistic and attainable academic goals.

• Develop, execute, and report on multiple advising campaigns each semester.

• Preregister incoming students, present information sessions, and assist students with registering during New Student Orientation.

Teaching/Exploration/Programming

• Teach multiple sections of USTU 1300: Exploring Majors and Decision Making (2 credit-hours) targeted at helping students research major options and making decisions.

• Meet with current and potential students wanting to discuss academic options that have a declared major other than Undecided.

• Administer inventories (Focus II, MBTI, SII) to students and interpret results for the purpose of wanting to supplement information to the major decision-making process.

• Co-coordinate and facilitate the Residential Learning Community for Academic and Career Exploration, which includes recruitment, teaching, and offering programming to student participants.

Academic Exploration Resources

• Maintain the Clear Path for Advising and TN Transfer Pathway Guide online resources.

• Create/update presentations about being an Undecided Major for use at New Student Orientation.

• Plan and execute the campus-wide Majors Fair.

• Create/maintain resources and/or hold events appropriate for academic exploration.

Community Partnerships

• Develop/maintain relationships with academic and student service departments.

• Coordinate with departments to identify and advise students who are not meeting progression requirements.

• Serve as a referral for faculty/professional advisors when meeting with students who are unsure of their academic path.

Special Projects and Other Duties

• Serve on other university committees as needed.

• Actively participate in regional/national organizations relevant to advising duties (i.e. NACADA); expected to present and/or publish with related organizations on a regular basis.

• Respond to departmental email.

• Provide front desk coverage.

• Other duties as assigned

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Must have excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills

• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently

• Ability to work effectively with students, parents, faculty, staff, and community members of all cultural backgrounds and experience levels

• Attentiveness to detail, strong organization skills, and the ability to prioritize multiple requests and handle them in an efficient and timely manner

• Flexibility and willingness to adapt to the needs of the position/office as they arise

• Ability to thoroughly understand and abide by federal and university guidelines regarding student confidentiality requirements

Review of applications will begin August 20, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration.

Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree; experience in higher education setting working with students' academic needs, providing advising services, and coordinating support services; proficient experience in the use of computers and related software programs (Microsoft software programs, Student Information Systems, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications: Academic advising in higher education as primary job responsibility for a minimum of three years; experience administering and interpreting inventories used in academic exploration, i.e., FOCUS 2, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory; experience with relevant higher education software programs including Banner, Degree Works, and SSC Campus.