Graduate Advisor - Aurora, IL

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaborati ...

Job description

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples' lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

The Graduate Academic Advisor supports learning by fostering a culture of empowerment by promoting goal-setting, responsibility, and accountability. Staff members serving in this role will engage in a variety of activities designed to achieve, maintain, and improve student success and retention and provide students with access to the information and resources necessary for the attainment of academic success, professional development, and personal goals.

Core Competencies:

• Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
• Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, our singular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personal and professional success. We do this by being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and purposeful lives.
• Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
• Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions:

Academic Advising

• Possess a strong understanding of requirements and policies as stated in the University Catalog including, but not limited to, information on general education, university requirements, degree requirements and academic policies and procedures.
• Deliver presentations and advise students on course selection and academic policies during new student orientation.
• Conduct individual academic advising sessions and small group sessions with new and continuing students.
• Provide students with the resources to become knowledgeable about, the online registration process.
• Review academic transcripts and student files in preparation for student appointments and new student orientation.
• Proactively communicate information to students that is relevant to their academic success.
• Demonstrate expertise in Self-Service, Student Planning, and Colleague

Mentoring

• Assist students in confirming degree and program selection in support of their educational and professional interests and goals.
• Assist students through the process of vocational discernment by discussing their strengths, values, and interests and encouraging vocational exploration.
• Intentionally focus on moving students toward increased professionalism by the conclusion of their program.
• Listen to, advocate on behalf of, and build positive working relationships with students.
• Strategically mentor at-risk students.
• Encourage students to utilize appropriate university resources.

University Partnerships

• Establish and maintain relationships with assigned department chairs to understand and clarify departmental expectations to assist in maintaining current knowledge of assigned degree programs.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs to review academic materials for accuracy (e.g. degree audits, academic catalog, online resources) and provide feedback regarding course offerings.
• Collaborate with university departments (registrar, student accounts, financial aid, admission, athletics, etc.) to help facilitate student retention and academic progress.

Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Master's degree in a relevant field preferred.

Experience:

• Two years of higher education work experience.
• Advising experience in higher education preferred

Skills:

• Strong communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented.
• Knowledge of student data and communication systems.
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and parents.
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to use a computer terminal
• Ability to move about campus

The anticipated pay rate for this position is $50,000-$55,000 per year. This compensation is subject to change at the sole discretion of the university, based on institutional needs.

The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Aurora University offers competitive, flexible benefits to eligible employees.

• Health Insurance
  
  Choice of HMO or PPO offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
• Dental and Vision Insurance
  
  Choice of two dental plans and vision insurance offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Life Insurance and AD&D
  
  1.5 times annual salary, dependent on age. Additional life insurance also may be purchased for self, spouse, and children.
• Long Term Disability
  
  60% of salary, taxable and nontaxable options.
• TIAA Retirement Account
  
  The University offers a 403b retirement plan, administered by TIAA. Matching contributions offered first day of employment to eligible employees, at the discretion of the University and Board of Directors.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  
  FSAs are available for medical costs and dependent care costs.
• Paid Time Off
  
  Vacation, personal, and sick leave are provided to eligible employees.
• Holidays
  
  The university observes nine major holidays where the university is closed.
• Tuition Assistance
  
  Tuition assistance for AU undergraduate courses is available to eligible employees and eligible family members beginning the term following one (1) year of regular, full-time employment. Tuition assistance for graduate programs paid at 60% for employee following Senior Leadership approval.
• Tuition Exchange Consortiums
  
  AU is a member of the Tuition Exchange (TE) and the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP) enabling full-time employees and eligible family members to be eligible for tuition assistance at more than 600 universities nationwide. Eligibility for the CIC-TEP and TE programs is one (1) year of regular, full-time employment as of 8/31.

To see more benefits details and breakdowns please see our benefits guide here (Download PDF reader).