Position Overview
The School of Kinesiology Academic Advisor assists students in meeting their academic and professional objectives. This individual will serve as the primary contact and the academic advisor for undergraduate students admitted into the School of Kinesiology majors, minors, and certificate programs.   These programs include: Kinesiology B.S., Physical Activity and Health Promotion B.S., Sport Management B.S., Coaching Minor, Esports Management Minor, Health and Wellness Promotion Minor, Sport Management Minor, and Coaching Certificate. In addition to advising students and supporting the curriculum needs of the department, this role will play a significant part in maintaining and increasing enrollment numbers in applicable departmental programs and courses.

The ideal candidate has a strong work ethic and advising experience, is motivated to suggest improvements, can work with minimal supervision, is enthusiastic about working collaboratively with the departmentâ™s undergraduate program team, and is driven to improve the undergraduate student experience in our department in collaboration with fellow advisors, faculty, and the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

This position is an annually renewable 12-month appointment reporting to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager.  All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.  

The budgeted salary range for this position is $55,000 to 65,000. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Job Responsibilities

Direct Service (60%)

• Guide Student Development: Use theories to help students make important decisions and adapt to their changing needs.
• Communication Planning: Create a plan that informs students of their requirements, builds relationships, encourages timely degree completion, and acknowledges all student identities.
• Student Interaction: Connect with students through various methods, such as appointments, drop-ins, group advising, and online communication.
• Monitor Progress: Review student progress reports to ensure they meet program requirements, approve exceptions, and help with academic planning.
• Use Advising and UMN Tools: Develop skills in using advising and management tools like APLUS, APAS, Schedule Builder, PeopleSoft, and Google Docs.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of student interactions to provide informed support.
• Policy Communication: Explain and enforce academic policies to students and faculty, influencing decisions.
• Problem-Solving: Use independent judgment to solve problems with students and faculty.
• Knowledge Maintenance: Stay updated on university and department policies, procedures, and resources to support academic and post-graduation success.
• Teach Classes: Instruct field experience, practicum, and internship classes as needed
• Collaborate: Work with CEHD Student Services to provide seamless support to students.
• Adapt Advising: Effectively advise students from diverse backgrounds by adapting strategies to cultural contexts.
• Career Support: Help students explore careers and prepare for internships.
• Postgraduate Advising: Advise students on planning for graduate school and professional careers.

Service and Outreach (30%)

• Leadership in Committees: Lead college and university committees to develop strategies for effective student advising.
• Information Sharing: Create and share information about advising trends and research with staff and faculty.
• Mentor Colleagues: Guide advising colleagues on tasks, policies, systems, case consultations, and decision-making skills.
• Onboard New Staff: Lead the onboarding process for new advising staff and be their primary resource during the transition.
• Committee Participation: Serve on various committees and work groups as needed.
• Promote Programs: Represent and promote the university, college, and department through presentations and activities for recruitment, orientation, and informational events.
• Event Staffing: Staff annual commencement, orientation, recruiting events, and other promotional activities.
• Support Awards Nominations: Help colleagues with nominations for institutional awards by writing letters of nomination and recommendation.
• Build Relationships: Create a network of relationships with students, faculty, and staff to deliver effective advising and support services.

Program Development and Management (10%)

• Advocate for Improvements: Push for better systems, workflows, processes, policies, and practices to benefit the department and students.
• Improve Efficiency: Enhance the flow of student data to faculty to serve student and departmental interests.
• Student Advocacy: Strongly support student understanding and success.
• Resolve Issues: Address and solve enrollment and degree progress issues related to course access and availability.
• Lead Programming: Develop, implement, and evaluate programs that support student success.
• Data Analysis: Create methods to collect, analyze, and summarize data to understand trends and recommend practice improvements.
   

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least four years of relevant experience, OR Masterâ™s degree plus at least two years of relevant experience in academic advising, including advising in a college and/or advising in individualized higher education, non-traditional education, or similar, related experience.  
• Demonstrated commitment to integrating equity awareness into work practices and ability to support students with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build meaningful relationships with a large and diverse student, staff, and faculty population in an education setting.  
• Demonstrated understanding of student development theories and ability to integrate advising philosophies with daily practice.
• Experience in an educational setting developing, planning, and implementing support and advising activities for students.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to disseminate detailed information and present to large groups.

Additional Required Qualifications for Senior Academic Advisor (9704AA)

• BA/BS degree plus at least five years of relevant experience; OR Masterâ™s degree plus at least three years of relevant experience in student counseling and advising or a closely related field. 
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education and student affairs, college student personnel psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field, including advising or the School of Kinesiology.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in college-level academic advising.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Proven conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent time management, attention to detail, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding for the career development process and experience supporting undergraduate students in their career journey.
• Experience with database programs, including familiarity with PeopleSoft, Google Apps for Business, and University of Minnesota systems such as APLUS, UM Reports, and APAS.
• Knowledge of kinesiology, sport management, physical activity, and health promotion industries.
• Familiarity with university-wide student support services and related technological tools.
• Prior leadership experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to learn and disseminate detailed information and present to large groups.
• Ability to work effectively with complex systems in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Work independently, collaboratively, flexibly, and unsupervised in a dynamic work environment.
• Strong advocacy skills to positively communicate and advocate for studentsâ™ best interests.
   

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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