Academic Advisor

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Upload Resume or Curriculum Vitae for automatic population of information to the application. The contact information, work experience, and education listed on your Resume/CV will be parsed and input into your Montclair application. Review information and double-check all fields containing information that the system parsed – the software is intelligent, but you need to verify that the data is accurate. In the “My Experience” section, you will find a Resume/CV upload option where you can submit your cover letter and all other supporting documents. Note: If you have an expansive CV, we recommend that you apply manually and only include the positions you have held in the last ten (10) years. You will then be able to attach your Resume/CV, as well as all other supporting documentation in the "My Experience" section of your application. Job Description SUMMARY: Reporting to the Associate Director, School of Communication and Media, the Academic Advisor works in conjunction with the CART Advisors/Leads Team to provide advising services to undergraduate School of Communication and Media (SCM) students majoring in Advertising, Animation and Visual Effects, Communication and Media Studies, Film and Television, Journalism and Digital Media, Social Media and Public Relations, and Sports Communication. This position is primarily responsible for guiding students in their programmatic coursework, spanning major requirements and electives, General Education requirements, and free electives. The Academic Advisor helps advance initiatives that support student retention and timely degree completion; supports college and university advising initiatives; and partners with faculty in expanding their advising skills. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide year-round holistic advising and registration assistance in close collaboration with academic program coordinators, peer staff and faculty advisors, Registrar’s office and other campus partners. Assist students in understanding their academic progress; the four-year-graduation-plan for their major (including all course requirements); course selection; how to navigate university procedures; participation in international study programs; and effects of changing a major to ensure completion of their degrees. Evaluate transcripts of transfer applicants, where needed, to determine course equivalencies that satisfy major requirements. Evaluate transcripts of seniors to determine eligibility for graduation. Establish a plan to accommodate scheduled and walk-in advising hours as well as individual and group advising practices, where appropriate. Maintain and communicate CART/SCM advising policies and procedures and provide training or support to faculty in their academic advising role. Conduct intrusive advising with students, where needed, in relation to academic warnings, probation, and other risk alerts. Outreach to non-registered students to foster their retention. Implement academic adjustments related to exceptions such as credit adjustments, course overloads, late registrations and permits. Onboard new students during orientation sessions. Pre-register freshmen into first-year courses. Where related to advising, work with SCM staff to inform course scheduling and enrollment decisions. Provide service to events such as New Student Orientations, admissions open house events, majors fairs for non-declared students, Communication and Media Days, community college outreach events, and transfer student information sessions. Develop and implement presentations, trainings and workshops that relay academic policies and support student success. Help expand student mentoring and peer advising. Partner with campus services (e.g. career, psychological, disability, tutoring) to provide student referrals. Work collaboratively with CART staff and peer school/department advisors, attending meetings and sometimes leading initiatives. Represent CART and SCM on university committees. Learn and fully utilize information technology related to advising and tracking student progress (e.g., Banner, Degree Works, Navigate, Tableau). Participate with data gathering to make recommendations for continuous improvement. Teach a section of New Student Seminar (GNED 199, 1 credit). Perform other duties as assigned. Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time. QUALIFICATIONS: REQUIRED: Master’s degree, preferably in Counseling, Student Affairs or Higher Education Administration, or a related field. Minimum of three years of professional academic advising experience in a higher education setting. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced working environment with multi-functional areas and diverse stakeholders. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and presentational skills, in both speech and writing. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Comfort with multiple reporting relationships. Ability to leverage technology in advising activities. Detail/results oriented; ability to handle simultaneous projects and work some evenings and weekends when programming requires. PREFERRED: Experience with communication and media curricula and/or appreciation for students working in these disciplines. Proficiency with multiple advising methods including developmental, transactional, appreciative, intrusive, and group advising. Demonstrated understanding of the needs of traditional, non-traditional and at-risk student populations. Experience using Banner, Degree Works, and Navigate systems. Teaching background; experience teaching New Student Seminar. Experience with planning and organizing advising programs. PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY Applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing how their background, skills and education match the needs of the University. When applying, please take a moment to carefully read and follow the steps in the application instructions. Department School of Communication and Media Position Type Professional - Non-Faculty Contact Information: For questions or concerns, please contact Human Resources' Workday Recruiting Support at 973-655-5000 (Option 2), or email talent@montclair.edu. EEO/AA Statement Montclair State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution with a strong commitment to diversity. Additional information can be found on the website at www.montclair.edu/human-resources/about-us/eo-aa-and-diversity/ Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 Policy Montclair State is required by Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex or gender, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities. The requirement to not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities extends to admission and employment. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/job-seekers/ With a proud history and a vibrant future, Montclair State University is one of New Jersey’s most diverse and dynamic institutions of higher education. One of four public research institutions in the state, and the second largest, Montclair State is a designated R2 Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Located 12 miles west of New York City on a 252-acre suburban campus which boasts modern, state-of-the-art facilities complemented by green spaces, public plazas and striking Spanish Mission architecture, and a spectacular view of the New York City skyline. The University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs through 10 colleges and schools. With a student body of 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 22 states and 13 countries, the University has an expansive campus life with on-campus residential capacity of 5,300, more than 120 student organizations, and 18 NCAA Division III athletic teams. The dynamic diversity of the University’s community has been acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education through its recognition of Montclair State as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and by Diverse Issues in Higher Education as a “Top Degree Producer” among institutions that confer the most degrees to minority students. Montclair State University is proud to be committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in its recruitment and employment practices. The University is an inclusive, richly diverse community that fosters mutual respect, tolerance and understanding among all students and employees.