Director of Academic Advising and Planning
Position Summary
The Director of Academic Advising and Planning, who will serve a member of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs’ leadership team, supervises a centralized advising unit that includes a team of approximately thirty members. The Director of Academic Advising and Planning provides administrative vision and University leadership for academic advising and planning throughout the undergraduate student lifecycle at Bowling Green State University. The Director of Academic Advising and planning will coordinate the alignment and delivery of academic advising services that support the University’s strategic goals of increasing enrollment; improving retention and graduation rates, with a specific focus on eliminating equity gaps; and reducing time to degree. The incumbent will also regularly evaluate policies and procedures to identify and address barriers to degree progress, evaluate best practices and technology related to effective advising, and ensure that students are provided with effective, high-quality academic advising and planning services.
Together with University partners and stakeholders, the Director of Academic Advising and Planning is responsible for facilitating the continuous improvement of undergraduate advising and for ensuring an advising structure that provides diverse student populations with meaningful opportunities for learning, growth, and engagement throughout their academic experience. The incumbent will also provide leadership and coordination of key initiatives, strategies, and projects that contribute to the overall success of academic advising and planning at BGSU, including assessment, communication, diversity and inclusion, orientation, staff training and professional development, and technology.
Essential Duties, Tasks and Responsibilities
Leadership
- Develop, implement, and monitor the quality of standard advising operating policies, practices, procedures, and benchmarks
- Directly supervise Senior Academic Advisors and Planners and provide overall leadership for the Academic Advising and Planning unit, which includes ensuring the on-going professional development of the team
- Create, implement, and manage an advising communication plan for students, faculty, staff, and families
- Collaborate with the Office of Admissions, the Office of Parent, Family, and New Student Connections, college offices, and other campus partners to provide academic advising and planning services to new entering first-year and transfer students during orientation
- Coordinate efforts with campus partners to improve student retention, persistence, and graduation rates through effective advising practices. Partners include all academic colleges in addition to College Credit Plus; Financial Aid; the Career Center; the Division of Diversity and Belonging; International Programs and Partnerships; eCampus; Firelands Pathway; Honors College; Learning Communities; Life Design; Parent, Family, and New Student Connections; Registration and Records; Student Athlete Services; Thompson Scholarship Programs; and TRIO/SSS
- Lead campus-wide conversations about academic advising and planning
- Provide leadership in developing interdepartmental procedures and processes, as well as system configurations, that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of academic advising and planning practices
- Review, evaluate, and recommend revisions to University policies and procedures that impact advising practices, retention, and student degree completion, as well as ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations
- Develop programming and an overall system to ensure that all undergraduate students interact with faculty mentors and receive timely support toward degree completion and preparation for success upon graduation
- Develop and implement improved business processes related to University, college, and other departmental policies and procedures that include student degree progress and graduation requirements, course substitutions, overrides, secondary admission requirements, certification, transfer advising, and graduation approval
- Represent the Academic Advising and Planning community on various University standing and ad hoc committees and workgroups, as assigned by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.
Assessment and Analytics
- Analyze and evaluate data and trends (institutional, regional, national) to develop short- and long-term strategic goals for the Academic Advising and Planning unit
- Develop and implement best-practice and data-informed programming efforts and intervention strategies for targeted populations of students that include students with minoritized identities, first-generation students, transfer students, post-traditional students, and military students
- Develop and implement a comprehensive and recurring assessment strategy to measure advising effectiveness; engage in a process of continuous improvement based on the results.
Communication
- Communicate with campus partners about academic advising and planning efforts
- Collaborate with deans, associate and assistant deans, and academic unit leaders to ensure that students receive accurate, up-to-date information about academic programs, degree and graduation requirements, and important deadlines
- Serve as the primary campus contact for matters associated with academic advising and planning.
Other Duties as Assigned
Knowledge, Skills or Abilities
- Understanding of college student development theory
- Excellent communication (written and oral), interpersonal, collaborative, and supervisory skills
- Skilled in organization and coordination of complex projects
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity and an ability to work with individuals or groups with diverse backgrounds
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to interpret and implement University policies and procedures
- Assessment, data analysis, and data management
- Knowledge of computer applications including but not limited to: People Soft/CSS, student success software, various learning management systems, and an ability to learn and adopt other technologies
- Experience with budget management
Diversity Statement
In addition to your cover letter and resume, you will be required to upload a written response to the diversity and inclusion question listed below. The Diversity Statement should not exceed 1 page that is double-spaced with 1-inch margins, using 12pt. font.
- Is there a way you envision diversity and inclusion playing a role in this position? Please explain your answer.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's degree is required. Doctoral degree in any field preferred. Degree must be conferred at the time of application.
The following experience is required:
- 7 years of experience in academic advising and planning in a college or university setting
- 3 years of experience supervising professional staff
Salary
Full-time, Administrative staff position available. Administrative Grade Level 360. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Full benefits package available.
Deadline to apply: May 16, 2022
Benefits
Bowling Green State University provides a comprehensive benefit program as part of a total compensation package. This includes medical, prescription, dental, vision, health accounts (medical & dependent), life & disability insurance, retirement plans, employee assistance program and tuition fee waivers for employees and their eligible dependents as well as paid time off, flexible work options, holidays and parental leave. For more information please visit Benefits-at-a-Glance.pdf (bgsu.edu)
To Apply
For a complete job description & to apply for this position visit https://bgsu.hiretouch.com/ or contact the Office of Human Resources at (419) 372-8421. BGSU. AA/EEO/Disabilities/Veterans. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Bowling Green State University, please call 419-372-8421.