Advising at Northern Illinois University is critical to retention and student success and understanding that students' needs are different depending upon where they are in their development is at the core of our advising practices. We practice both developmental advising and high-touch intervention recognizing the importance of (1) the interaction between students and the campus environment; (2) the value of supporting the "whole" student; (3) the consideration of the student's developmental level; and (4) the need to be intentional and responsive to concerns, potential risks, barriers, or challenges.

The visibility and complexity of this position mandate a professional demeanor, strong ethical behavior, good personal judgment and decision-making abilities, and the ability to be flexible in a non-routine job setting as imposed by the variety of duties.

Position Summary

The Undergraduate Program Adviser reports to the Director of the LRS Student Success Center with a dotted-line report to the appropriate college chairs depending on program assignments. Program assignments are subject to change as determined by enrollment needs. The initial student population focus for this position will be OM&IS and MGMT undergraduate students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Academic Advising and Career Coaching

• Interact with each assigned advisee in the College of Business on an individual basis at least one time per semester monitoring academic success and timely progression to degree completion.
• Assist students in meeting program and university requirements, developing career goals, and implementing plans to work towards those goals.
• Execute department and university procedures and policies thoughtfully through a developmental advising model.
• Coach students in selection of business majors and career planning options.
• Advise students regarding their academic progress and assist with their scheduling needs.
• Determine appropriate action on student appeals regarding various university and college policies including course and university withdrawals, course articulation, work permits, concurrent enrollment, and senior standing issues.
• Provide recommendations regarding appropriate courses, majors, minors, and other educational solutions.
• Identify current and potential needs and problem areas (e.g. study skills, tutoring, and counseling) and provide appropriate referrals.
• Educate students about appropriate resources and opportunities.
• Monitor progress for degree completion.

Retention

• Interact with faculty and other academic and administrative offices in coordinating special events both on and off campus to maintain and enhance student support services.
• Monitor and assess student needs/trends and implement Navigate campaigns and other interventions as appropriate.
• Prepare and implement retention campaigns for various student populations using Navigate and other retention means.
• Support student development of proficiency with university systems and expectations such as scheduling operations, deadlines, NIU Email and Blackboard.
• Participate in department and college level discussions on student trends, challenges, and opportunities with academic programs in the College of Business.
• Collaborate on the execution of re-enrollment efforts.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain individual student records and documentation, including the use of Navigate, MyNIU, Onbase, and Excel.
• Maintaining confidentiality with student academic records according to university requirements (e.g. FERPA).
• Complete and process necessary academic forms/paperwork appropriately.
• Maintain appropriate databases related to student enrollment/progress and tracking of paperwork.
• Manage enrollments and student requests during the registration period.
• Participate as assigned in annual update office advising and recruitment collateral.
• Collaborate in the development of new publications as needed.
• Support implementation and execution of programs, for example orientation and commencement.
• Interpret policy and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment involving complex tasks.
• Serve as a resource for faculty and staff in the College of Business regarding university and college policies and procedures.
• Represent advising on various university and College of Business committees.
• Serve as a resource for college and departmental curriculum committees for curricular planning and assessment.

Recruitment

• Interact with prospective students and the student's support team to promote the college and its programs through individual student meetings, orientation sessions, Admission's recruitment events, exploring major's events, and other meetings as requested.
• Communicate effectively to admitted and prospective students through University CRM, webinars, college admission letters, calling campaigns, etc.
• Foster relationships with community colleges faculty and staff and assists with providing academic and career counseling at our regional campuses and community college campuses.
• Participate in developing, delivering, and evaluating undergraduate recruitment activities for the College of Business.

Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Bachelor's degree, with four (4) years of academic advising related experience in higher education or related experience to the hiring unit.

OR

• Master's degree, with three (3) years of professional experience in higher education, leadership, student personnel, academic advising, or related experience to the hiring unit.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

Class Specific KSAs:

• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing quality educational guidance. This includes student needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of student satisfaction.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in the presentation and delivery of academic programs, strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, recruitment methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Knowledge of educational, evaluation, and measurement principles, practices, methods, and techniques, university policies and procedures.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively; ability to develop a rapport with students.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with students, faculty, and staff.

Position Specific KSAs:

• Commitment to high standards of quality, integrity, ethics, and fairness in instruction, scholarship, and service.
• Ability to develop and maintain customized pathways toward intended major.
• Commitment to participate in training and professional development.
• Ability to interpret policy and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment involving complex tasks.
• Collaboration on the execution of re-enrollment efforts.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
• Working knowledge of various database and software packages to enter, track, and maintain student information.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

None

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Demonstrated experience working with diverse individuals advocating for equity and inclusion issues and trends in higher education and student success.
• Demonstrated experience using Navigate (or similar student academic platforms) for scheduling, note-taking, referrals, and data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing various database and software packages to enter, track, maintain student information (i.e. Excel, Word, and other related software).
• Demonstrated experience using developmental advising and high touch intervention.
• Demonstrated experience managing a student caseload including regular reporting and monitoring of retention, persistence, and graduation outcomes, academic outcomes, and progress toward completion of and achievement of customized pathway to completion.
• Demonstrated experience reading, understanding, interpreting, and acting upon higher education curriculum outlined in a college, university or community college catalog.

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

Additional Requirements (SPS)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

Physical demands/requirements

Position requires a flexible work schedule that occasionally includes extended hours and organizing evening and weekend events. Availability to work some evenings, weekends, and off-campus assignments based on critical advising cycles.