Academic Advisor (PT)

Delaware County Community College; Downingtown (Chester County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Delaware County Community College in Downingtown seeks an Academic Advisor to join its Career & Counseling Center. The ideal candidate provides proactive and holistic advising to help students select majors, plan curricula, set graduation timelines, and achieve transfer goals.

The role requires familiarity with FERPA, strong communication, and the ability to work with diverse student populations across campuses via in-person and virtual formats. Master’s degree preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university in related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in academic advising and student-centered approach.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive and holistic academic advising to students via in-person, email, and virtual formats.
• Lead group and individual advising sessions and assist with transfer planning.
• Develop and deliver workshops on time management, study skills, and major/career planning.
• Utilize Degree Works, Starfish, and Canvas to communicate and track student progress.
• Stay current with admissions requirements, program changes, and college initiatives.

Skills

Academic advising

FERPA knowledge

Student coaching

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Degree Works

Starfish

Canvas

Advising software

Job description

Delaware County Community College (DCCC), located in Downingtown is looking for a talented and dynamicAcademic Advisorin our Career & Counseling Center to join our team of diverse higher education professionals who are committed to student success.

The Academic Advisor provides a proactive and holistic advising approach with students to understand their choice of major and career, develop an academic plan with estimated graduation date, and transfer goals (as applicable). Academic Advisors maintain extensive knowledge of course sequencing, academic programs, transfer institutions, student services, and collaborate with the colleges’ faculty and staff to enhance student performance and retention. This position directly impacts student success, completion, and retention, and requires considerable contact with a diverse population of students through individual and group sessions, email, in-person, and virtual sessions, as well as telephone contact.

• Provide proactive and holistic academic advising to students utilizing both individual and group formats via in-person and virtual delivery systems for all campuses.
• Maintain regular advising hours as assigned, create, develop and facilitate materials, presentations, and workshops such as time management, study skills, test taking strategies, and major/career specific related workshops.
• Academic advisement across all academic programs, including assistance with special populations such as career & technical programs, international students, and ELL students.
• Review and interpret placement and other standardized test scores, course prerequisites, explain developmental course sequencing, and recommend appropriate courses for students based on intended plan of study.
• Lead and facilitate New Student Registration Sessions for students new to college and participate in and attend college wide Open House, Accepted Students Day, and Commencement.
• Stay abreast of changing institutional information including admissions requirements, new programs, course changes, deadlines, important dates, college-wide initiatives, transfer requirements, and state and federal mandates
• Maintain knowledge of academic policies and standards such as academic probation, academic suspension, academic dismissal, and connect students to appropriate support services, and educational experiences as needed.
• Utilize the Colleges early alert system to assess the progress of students. Follow up with students and faculty on early alert warnings in a timely manner.
• Maintain knowledge of changing institutional information including admissions requirements, new programs, course and prerequisite changes, deadlines, important institutional dates, costs, updates in college-wide initiatives, transfer requirements, and state and federal mandates.
• Recommend appropriate courses and course load based upon students’ abilities, personal obligations, career and transfer intentions and educational outcomes.
• Employ technology-enabled tools to enhance communication such as Degree Works, Starfish, and Canvas to maintain communication between colleagues and students.
• Understand the institutions' interpretation of FERPA rules for the student's release of information to faculty, parents, and students.
• Stay current in professional knowledge of advising theory, current literature, and best practices in academic advising and building information technology skills to enhance work performance.
• Participate and implement advising initiatives to support student retention and completion.
• Connect students to appropriate resources, support services, and educational experiences. This may include, but is not limited to: Tutoring, Counseling, International Student Services, Financial Aid, Disability Services, Veteran Affairs, First Year Experience, KEYS, Student Resources, and Student Life.
• Provide transfer advisement for students and assist with running transfer information events including outreach to partner schools, workshops, tabling events, and supporting the transfer fairs.
• Assist in updating, development and maintaining transfer materials and resources as needed.
• Advocate for students, when appropriate, with faculty and others on various campus offices.
• Foster intentional relationships with students, other advisors, offices, and departments.
• Engage in assessment processes to conduct assessment of academic advising services and use results to enhance services; participate in college-wide assessment projects of academic advising services.
• Utilize advising skills to help students develop accountability for their decisions and an understanding of how those decisions impact their success; refer to counseling services for personal issues.
• Develop advising materials and presentations to support individual student meetings, workshops, and classroom presentations.
• Deliver quality customer service to both internal and external constituencies in a professional, helpful, and courteous manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Advising.

The successful candidate must be an engaging, effective, innovative, and dynamic professional who fosters collaboration. This individual will be able to demonstrate the use of best practice strategies associated with all aspects of higher education advising. This individual will demonstrate a spirit of an independent problem-solver and a strong understanding of the College’s mission and goals. Academic Advisors will demonstrate a high level of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism when dealing with sensitive student information within the stated guidelines. The Academic Advisor will also have a demonstrated ability to encourage, model, embrace, and incorporate diverse thoughts and perspectives of all individuals of various backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives to foster an all-inclusive environment and drive retention and completion results. Qualified candidates will have some experience in academic advising as well as a demonstrated commitment to student-centeredness. Knowledge of FERPA privacy regulations and the ability to handle confidential information. Flexibility to work varied hours including evenings, weekends, and travel to branch campus locations, particularly around registration events with one (1) evening per week required; occasional Saturdays required. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in related field of study or equivalent combination of education and experience is required; Master’s degree preferred.

Background Clearances:

Act 153 Clearances (Act 34 PA Criminal Background History, Act 151 PA Child Abuse History, Act 114 FBI Clearance); Verification of educational credentials

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. DCCC fosters a work environment, and a learning community focused on student success by delivering quality, affordable, and responsive educational opportunities in a technologically rich and supportive environment. We celebrate differences and commit to an “open door” policy for individuals with varying levels of knowledge, skills, experiences, and needs. By embracing diverse collegial perspectives, we seek to make inclusivity, teamwork, and respect the foundation for our students to reach their academic goals and on staff to thrive professionally. Delaware County Community College strongly encourages applications from members of traditionally under-represented groups. DCCC promotes an organizational culture and structure that honors diversity through integration of the principles of access, inclusion and most importantly equality. DCCC is an equal employment opportunity employer, valuing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.