Academic Advisor II, College of Engineering

Pay Grade:  29E

Context of the Job:

Under the general direction of the Chair, Associate Chair for Graduate Education, and the Business Administrator, the Academic Advisor II is responsible for the academic advisement of current graduate students and transfer students majoring in civil, construction, and environmental engineering and a few interdisciplinary programs.  The Academic Advisor II develops and manages program coordination and works cooperatively with other members of the College of Engineering and department advisement enterprise and maintain regular contact with other academic units at the University in order to facilitate the students’ degree completion.

The Academic Advisor II is also responsible for the admission decision process, degree audit process, the graduate student funding process. The Academic Advisor II manages the department recruiting events for prospective graduate students, and coordinates faculty and student volunteers who assist with recruitment and department student programming.  The Academic Advisor II conducts new student orientation presentations and collaborates with department leadership to create student materials such as handbooks, forms, printed materials and online content relative to the graduate programs.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide advisement services to Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering graduate students, guiding them to formulate educational goals and to make appropriate educational decisions to reach their career goals.  Assist students in transition from bachelor’s to master’s, and master’s to PhD degree programs and expedite the process whenever possible. In collaboration with faculty, advance students’ career goals through educational avenues and professional development including conference presentations, seminars and workshops and course work.
• Monitor the progress of all master’s and PhD students in Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and those students enrolled in interdisciplinary, dual degree  and certificate programs through regular contact and collaboration with primary and secondary faculty advisors.
• Interpret policy, explain GPA and academic requirements, review transfer credits, and provide guidance on courses to meet the desired advanced degree concentration(s) and career goals of the student.  Audit degree program requirements for individual students and assist with degree certification; disseminate accurate and up-to-date academic information and policies to students, faculty, and others.
• Work with faculty to explain and interpret academic policies
• Develop and facilitate workshops, seminars, video tutorials and printed materials to support faculty and students on university, college and department expectations, policies and procedures; including but not limited to academic policies, “what to expect as a graduate student”; strategies for success, communications skills, Teaching Assistantship requirements, research advisor/advisee relationships and UDSIS.
• Provide support with course scheduling, registration, and academic/career options. Respond to inquiries, investigate, and resolve problems related to graduate contracts, student financials, international student visas, health insurance,  human resources and faculty advisors.
• Provide support to faculty and students for nominations and applications for several University, College and Department award opportunities. (e.g., Graduate College Fellowships, Laird Fellowship).
• Provide support and referral services for academic and personal issues to students, working with offices including but not limited to the Graduate College, College of Engineering Dean’s Office, International Students and Scholar Services and the Center for Counseling and Student Development.
• Plan, coordinate and participate in on-campus and pre-admission activities including local evening and/or weekend fairs, and virtual open house events.
• Lead department graduate student social organization to build community among students; develop opportunities for on-campus and off campus events such as coffee hours, picnics and game nights.
• Compile, verify, and analyze statistical reports; prepare administrative forms that may contain confidential information including verification of student stipends, tuition waivers and graduate student contracts; create departmental forms to track degree and/or certificate progress, 4+1 transfer courses, and course selection.
• Manage and update students’ applications, files, and records. Verify accuracy of course load, curriculum requirements and course pre-requisite requirements, transition to sustaining status; qualifier exam preparation and completion, dissertation defense (PhD), thesis defense (MCE) and graduation eligibility.
• Identify potential problem areas (e.g., study skills, tutoring) and refer students to appropriate campus resources for assistance.
• Avoid/resolve conflicts of departmental graduate courses and with courses outside the department that are part of the curriculum.
• Manage the submission of additions and edits to the UD Course Catalog to reflect all changes in graduate course descriptions.  Submit proposals in the Curriculog system for any, and all changes to the degree programs’ requirements.
• Contribute to web content for department graduate programs; create and update content for the Grad Student Resources web page
• Serve as a member of the Department Graduate Committee
• Facilitate registration for non-matriculated graduate students through the Professional and Continuing Studies Office. 
• Advise Master’s degree applicants with an insufficient GPA of the College of Engineering’s Pathway Program and facilitate registration of graduate courses through the Professional and Continuing Studies Office.
• Serve on related university, college or departmental committees as needed.
• Manage key orders, distribution and deposit/refund process for the department.
• Provide assistance with course registration to undergraduate students in the absence of Undergraduate Academic Advisor.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of academic advising experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Effective leadership, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate student transcripts and/or records.
• Ability to present effectively to small and large groups and to work productively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to grasp, retain, and disseminate an extensive and varied body of information.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and employ decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of academic standards governing student probation, suspension, and/or expulsion and student recruitment and retention issues.
• Ability to communicate, to students, course prerequisites, certification, and/or curriculum/graduation requirements.
• Advanced working knowledge of advisement policies, procedures, systems, regulations, and standards at the university level.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills and ability to analyze, summarize, and effectively present data.
• Proficient computer skills including use of presentation software, Excel, Access. Experience with UDSIS, and SLATE preferred.