Career Center

The Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising directs the operations and student services staff serving over 600 Political Science B.A. majors, minors, and individualized degree program students. The position ensures that systems are in place and staff are effectively trained to deliver consistent, efficient, and culturally appropriate academic advising, including developing and supporting a welcoming environment for diverse students. The Coordinator directs student services programming and events, including the design and implementation of new student services initiatives. As the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies (ADUS), the position adjudicates student petitions; interprets existing policy for faculty, staff, and students; serves as a key consultant for undergraduate curriculum planning and review; and works closely with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS).

This position is up to 40% remote (two days/week), and the desired start date is August 1, 2022 . Candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.

Advising Operations Management and Supervision (50%)

• Oversees work of CLA Regional Advisor, including training in department procedures and delegation of duties. Serves as official supervisor to the undergraduate student peer-advisors.
• Manages systems, processes, and operational budget for the undergraduate advising office. Develops goals, priorities, and deadlines regarding daily and project-based work of staff. Coordinates and integrates advising efforts with CLA and other University units as necessary.
• Serves on the Political Science Undergraduate Work Committee (UWC), including the Scholarship subcommittee. Responsible for continuing to monitor awardees during academic year to ensure compliance with enrollment, registration, and project completion requirements.
• Oversees Distinguished Undergraduate Research Program (DURP) and Undergraduate Travel Awards processes, including collaborating with Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) on final student/faculty matches and award allocation as necessary.
• Helps facilitate the department’s Internship Program, in coordination with the Director of Internships. Includes organizing and promoting informational sessions and working with individuals and community organizations outside of the University to draft internship announcements for distribution (per department policy and procedure).
• Creates and oversees events for undergraduate students. Serves as staff advisor for the Undergraduate Political Science Association (UPSA), the Political Science-Undergraduate Diversity Advisory Committee (PS-UDAC), and the Multicultural Undergraduate Political Science Coalition (MUPSC).
• Collaborates with the Administrative Associate on the oversight and content of the department’s Alumni-Student Mentorship Program, including the pairings of students with alumni mentors.
• Monitors undergraduate course enrollment. Generates and distributes permission numbers and class lists, and enters undergraduate grades, as needed. Obtains undergraduate grade books and course syllabi (for department “Syllabi Bank”). Makes syllabi available to current and prospective students.
• Publicizes and promotes the program to undergraduate students, including reviewing applicable website and social media content. Oversees weekly newsletter process to declared majors and minors via listserv.
• Responds to requests for program information, data, and/or reports from department administration, CLA, and others as needed. Identifies data collection and operational problems and develops solutions. Independently troubleshoots and manages the day-to-day operations of the undergraduate advising office.

Academic Advising (20%)

• Advises current and prospective undergraduate students (for major, minor, and individualized degrees) on program requirements and planning strategies, registration, and funding opportunities (scholarships/grants).
• Guides students using a holistic advising approach. Helps students to navigate major curriculum, post-graduation planning (including career development and preparation for graduate studies), and different resources on campus to enhance their undergraduate experience and future opportunities.
• Processes major/minor declarations and team meets with all new undergraduate majors, minors, and individualized degree-seeking students to explain and review requirements for the program. Holds orientation sessions for transfer students, and works with incoming freshman and transfer students during orientation. Works with the Office of Admissions and the CLA Transfer Advising Team to recruit prospective students.
• Maintains and updates student files and records. Processes relevant paperwork and responds to policy and procedure questions. Remains up-to-date on pertinent policy changes and training. Responds to program inquiries by email, phone, and in-person.
• Monitors student progress, including reviewing graduation candidates for completion of major requirements. Initiates contact with students who will not satisfy major requirements for graduation and identifies solutions to on-time degree clearance. Works with instructors and/or department administration and recommends solutions to problems as necessary.

Program and Policy Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (15%)

• Serves as primary resource for instructors, staff, and students on undergraduate program policy and classroom management, including applicable college- and university-level policies.
• Serves as Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies (ADUS) and a main point of interface between the undergraduate curriculum and students’ academic experiences. Provides consultation to department administration on curriculum planning and policy decisions. Serves on ad hoc departmental groups that work to improve and enhance the undergraduate experience.
• Adjudicates petitions from students involving program requirements, and transfer course evaluation requests.
• Creates, initiates, and implements new and innovative approaches, practices, and policies to accomplish academic advising goals and continuously improve the quality and efficiency of processes, procedures, and systems. Includes devising and utilizing methods of assessment.
• Develops initiatives and makes recommendations to department administration to support a welcoming environment for diverse students.

Professional Development, Outreach, and Service (10%)

• Functions as a liaison with relevant academic departments, programs, and units. Participates in the appropriate CLA and University advising networks and committees, including committees focused on the betterment of advising. Attends CLA and Office of Admissions undergraduate events (prospective student showcases, commencement, etc.).
• Attends and presents at professional conferences.
• Actively maintains contact with alumni of the undergraduate program.

Other (5%)

• Attends and participates in department staff meetings and strategic planning. Coordinates work with other department staff as necessary.
• Other departmental duties and responsibilities as assigned and/or required.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree.
• At least six years of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree, preferably in political science or other social science, higher education administration, counseling, or other field directly related to the position.
• Progressively responsible experience in higher education and significant experience in working directly with undergraduates. Experience in academic advising, student services, and student development.
• Depth of knowledge in evaluating situations, developing and implementing plans to meet the needs of individual and groups of students. Familiarity with university-wide student support services.
• Demonstrated commitment to equal opportunity and promoting a culture that respects and advances diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Superior interpersonal skills and a proven ability to develop and maintain positive professional relationships with a diverse community of faculty, staff, students, and administrators.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including a proven ability to analyze and communicate complex issues from multiple frames of reference and perspectives.
• Ability to work independently and as a dependable team member, successfully managing a substantial workload that includes multiple commitments, competing priorities, and ambiguity. Proven administrative and operations leadership skills with a collaborative management style.

Salary range: $54,000-$96,000, depending on qualifications and experience.