Academic Advisor

Harper College; Hoffman Estates (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Harper College in the Chicago area is seeking an Academic Advisor to develop educational maps for new and current students, guiding them toward their goals and timely graduation.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and one year of advising experience; Master’s preferred. Strong communication and bilingual abilities are valued; the advisor will collaborate with Counseling Services and Hawks Care, and utilize degree audits and planning tools.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, communications or related area. Master’s preferred.
• Experience: One year of experience in student advising function or related area in an educational setting.
• Bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops academic maps for students and creates semester schedules.
• Manages caseload and monitors progress toward goals.
• Guides advising, transfer, and career development.
• Explains placement scores and course sequencing.
• Assists students with transfer planning and policy questions.
• Represents advising at outreach events.
• Uses SIS and degree audit tools to assist students.

Skills

Oral communication

Presentation skills

Written communication

Interpersonal communication

Bilingual

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology/education/communications or related area

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

ABOUT US

We are Harper College... the college in your community.

The College was established by referendum in 1965 and openedSeptember 1967. It is named for Dr. William Rainey Harper, apioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and thefirst president of the University of Chicago.

Harper College is now one of the nation's premier communitycolleges and one of the largest, serving approximately 29,000students annually in Chicago's northwest suburbs. The College'sacademic programs prepare students for rewarding careers and for transfer to four-year universities. Harper offers associate degreeand certification programs, advanced career programs, workforcetraining, professional development, continuing education classes, accelerated degree options for adults and developmental educationprograms.

At Harper College, we are committed to fair and equitable compensation for all employees. In compliance with Illinois state law, we prioritize transparency in salary information. Our salary ranges reflect our dedication to attracting and retaining top talent while ensuring equitable pay practices. We encourage open discussions about compensation and invite you to reach out with any questions you may have regarding salary details. Harper College typically offers compensation up to the median market rate for this position. We aim to ensure our pay is competitive while aligning with both the role's requirements and the candidate's experience. To review all benefit information visit us at: https://www.harpercollege.edu/about/directory/hr/index.php

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, communications or related area. Master's preferred.

Experience: One year of experience in student advisingfunction or related area in an educational setting, preferably at the post-secondary level. Demonstrates excellent oral, presentation, written and interpersonal communication skills. Bilingual preferred.

JOB DESCRIPTION

General Function: This role provides educational planning for new and currently enrolled students by developing an academic map that meets the specific needs of each individual. Advisors in this classification are responsible for case management of assigned students designed to proactively monitor their progress toward completing educational goals. This role also provides general guidance for students that support advising, transfer, and career development.

Characteristic Duties

• Provides educational planning for new and currently enrolledstudents. Assists them by creating semester-by-semester academiccourse schedules that meet the requirements of their intended majorand, if applicable, transfer school. Documents all educationalplanning interactions on appropriate forms.
• Responsible for case management of assigned students in which ameaningful rapport is developed. Conducts proactive outreach andmonitors assigned students' progress toward completing theireducational goals.
• Interprets placement scores, explains developmental coursesequencing and recommends appropriate courses for students'intended plan of study.
• Helps students with their transfer planning and explains coursetransfer differences between institutions.
• Explains stackable career pathways.
• Collaborates closely with Counseling Services and Hawks Care perestablished guidelines, determines when students need to be referred to Counselors.
• Assists students with educational transactions (i.e., schedules,drop/adds, withdrawals, waivers, etc.).
• Answers questions about College policies, procedures, academicprograms of study and support services provided by the College. Helps students resolve issues by clarifying protocols and directing them to appropriate offices/personnel.
• Instructs students on how to use online and self-service academicplanning and career development tools. Interprets degree auditreports.
• Serves as lead to assist walk-in traffic to the Center and demonstrates how to utilize software, programs, websites and Centerlibrary/lab resources. Creates users' manuals.
• Develops and maintains advising and career resources in print and online including web, portal and social media.
• Conducts outreach (e.g., phone calls, campus "walk-abouts") to students in support of retention-based programming efforts like early alert, summer bridge, etc.
• Works with a variety of technology tools (i.e., Student InformationSystem, appointment scheduler, degree audit/planner, etc.) and is able to use these tools effectively to assist students.
• Represents the Student Affairs division at student outreach events (i.e., open houses, activity fairs, information sessions, etc.) as necessary.
• Serves as lead contact to receive and respond to incoming Center alias emails. Answers those that fall within Academic Advisorpurview and refers others to Counselors as needed.
• Makes referrals to faculty, academic program chairs/coordinators, campus support services, or other resources as needed.
• Maintains professional rapport with students, parents, faculty and staff throughout the College.
• Stays current with training and professional development related to academic advising, student success/retention, multicultural competencies, and related topics.
• Assists with various projects and programs as needed and participates in College and Divisional Committees as appropriate.
• Performs related duties as assigned. Academic Advisors associated with specific support centers (i.e., Women's Program, Center for New Students, etc.) may have duties and expectations specific to that center.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily indoors and sedentary in nature.

Equipment/Tools Used

Utilizes standard office equipment, including computers, in order to perform the duties of the job.

Supervision

Under the general supervision of the Director of Advising Servicesor Director of New Student Programs. Receives oral and written instructions as needed.

42.11306

ABOUT THE TEAM

RESPONSIBILITIES