Career Center

The College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS) at the University of Minnesota is seeking an Individualized Degrees advisor to work with our Inter-College Program and Health and Wellbeing Sciences majors, with the possibility of working with our Multidisciplinary Studies major in the future.

 This hybrid position works with advanced standing, prospective and admitted, undergraduate Individualized Degrees students, and is responsible for academic advising and individualized degree development.

This is a unique, relationship-based, developmental advising opportunity to assist traditional and non-traditional students, and carries a typical caseload of around 100 students.

 Work for a great team and College that’s student and staff-centered!  

 The search committee will begin reviewing applications the week of January 9 and will continue until the position is filled. The salary range is $58,000 - $65,000.

This position works with prospective and admitted undergraduate Individualized Degrees students and is responsible for academic advising and individualized degree development. Individualized Degrees majors include the Inter-College Program, Health and Wellbeing Sciences, and Multidisciplinary Studies. Individualized Degrees advisors help students explore curricular options and develop individualized curricula; provide writing critique and support; facilitate student development; assist in administration and program development; and provide service to the College of Continuing and Professional Studies and University of Minnesota. Dependent upon program needs and an individual’s skills and interests, there is a potential opportunity to teach ICP 3101W Proposal Development and/or a capstone course. This position reports to the Director of Undergraduate Advising.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Advising: Student Learning and Development                          50%     
The cornerstone of academic advising is the ability to build authentic relationships with individuals from varied backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. The responsibility of this role is to first build relationships, then utilize those relationships to holistically support and guide students throughout their undergraduate career.

1. Provide comprehensive advising services to prospective and admitted traditional and non-traditional students, in-person and virtually
2. Interact respectfully with all students and staff, particularly with individuals with backgrounds and/or ideas different from one’s own
3. Engage in conversations that encourage identity development, self-acceptance, critical self-reflection, and increased self-understanding, leading to advising-related learning outcomes
4. Utilize a holistic, coaching-based advising model to guide, challenge, and support students in becoming self-reliant, and more confident in decision-making about major, personal, and career aspirations
5. Facilitate retention and timely graduation by assisting students in exploring and integrating the full range of financial, academic, service, enrichment, and career development components available at the University
6. Champion the value of engagement in co-curricular experiences and how they connect to students’ academic and career goals
7. Serve as cultural navigator of the system of higher education and help students navigate policies and procedures and determine when exceptions may be appropriate

Individualized Degree Development: Curriculum and Administration                   40%
A unique aspect of this advisor position is the additional responsibility of supporting students in the development of the individualized degree proposal.

Develop Individualized Curricula

1. Assist in the development of student curricula
2. Understand liberal education and departmental curricula and determine its possibilities within the context of the strengths, interests and needs of the student
3. Critique and evaluate student writing in degree proposal development , providing referral to University writing resources as necessary
4. Assist in coordinating the involvement of individual faculty and departments in programs
5. Review degree plans, participate in their approval and supervise changes to the plans through program completion.
6. Assist students in integrating career exploration into curriculum development
7. Assist in the development and maintenance of informational materials for the Individualized Degree Programs

Program Development & Management       10%

1. Participate in select advising initiatives and trainings according to needs, outcomes, and resources
2. Participate in efforts to improve student retention rates, four-year graduation rates, and student satisfaction
3. Engage in cross-functional area collaborative projects
4. Engage in professional development and service activities related to the advising and student services profession, within the University of Minnesota community and beyond
5. Participate on advising-related College and University-wide committees as requested
 

Required
● Bachelor’s degree plus at least five years or master’s degree plus at least three years of academic advising experience in a higher education setting
● Ability to work both collaboratively and independently with minimal supervision
● Ability to manage administrative and multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines
● Excellent written and oral communication skills
● Experience exploring career interests/options with undergraduate students
● Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to develop and maintain positive professional relationships with a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students
● Commitment to student and staff diversity, equity and justice, and promotion of an inclusive working and learning environment
● High-level understanding of student development theory

Preferred
● Advanced degree plus at least five years of academic advising experience in a higher education setting
● Experience working with individualized/interdisciplinary degrees
● Relevant experience advising underrepresented students in higher education setting
● Experience with curriculum development and/or coaching/critiquing writing

About University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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