The Specialist-Advisor position will advise undergraduate students in the Department of Physics & Astronomy (PA). This position will work collaboratively with the undergraduate program team to engage in proactive and holistic advising, offered through an equity lens, to support and empower students to reach their goals and to make a difference in the MSU community and the world at large.
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment. This position is expected to be primarily on-campus, with office space provided in the department’s academic office in the Biomedical & Physical Sciences building. Some duties can be performed remotely, as mutually agreed upon.
As an advisor, this individual will:
Assist undergraduate students in course selection, while maintaining and monitoring student records towards degree completion.
Assist current students with identifying transfer credit equivalents as appropriate and help transfer students to develop academic plans based on incoming transfer credit.
Approve and manage course overrides and academic program degree substitutions in collaboration with the undergraduate program director and undergraduate secretary.
Support students by providing academic success strategies while encouraging growth in career development, including preparation for graduate school.
Create connections with on-campus resources and help students find undergraduate research and internship opportunities.
Work with the department and college on tracking of career outcomes, on-campus and off-campus undergraduate research, and internship positions.
Bridge connections between students and other members of PA (undergraduates, faculty, staff, specialists, graduate students, postdocs, and alumni) and the broader MSU community.
Participate in various undergraduate events such as New Student Orientation, department-associated undergraduate clubs, undergraduate commencement, and recruitment during the annual ADS competition and at College Colloquium. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.
Help with development of advertising and recruitment materials for Physics and Astronomy and related degree programs and the REU program, and professionally represent the PA department when meeting with prospective students and parents.
Participate in undergraduate curriculum review and program updates as a member of the PA Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
Engage with faculty and academic staff in the department, the College of Natural Science Dean’s Office, the Honors College, and other units on campus.
Collaborate and foster intentional relationships with advising colleagues through college-wide advisor meetings and professional development activities to promote professional growth and to support the student’s academic success.
Work collaboratively through an equity lens to ensure all students and members of the PA undergraduate program feel supported and respected in their roles towards success.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Masters -Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Curriculum Development
Minimum Requirements
Master’s degree in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Curriculum Development, Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or related field. Successful applicants should have:
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, one year minimum experience.
Strong work ethic, including professionalism and accountability.
A commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.
Successfully demonstrated the ability to work closely and comfortably a diverse student population, faculty, as well as other academic units.
Proficiency in standard computer software (e.g., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams; Google Docs; Google Sheets, etc.)
Desired Qualifications
Desired attributes:
Experience in advising and career planning, or similar professional experience.
Experience with creating academic success-centered initiatives, including long term planning and implementation.
Experience working with STEM majors.
Previous experience developing connections with and supporting a diverse group of students and colleagues.
Familiarity with University policies, procedures, and software systems (e.g., Campus Solutions, D2L).
Required Application Materials
(1) Resume/CV
(2) Cover Letter
(3) An Advising Philosophy Statement which addresses the applicant’s academic advising priorities and includes the applicant's efforts to address issues of diversity and inclusion.
(4) Names and contact information for three references.
Review of applications will begin two weeks from the initial position posting and will continue until the position has been filled.
Together-we-will Statement
The university is requiring all MSU students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with limited exceptions. Learn more at: https://msu.edu/together-we-will/
Special Instructions
For more information, please contact Prof. Stuart Tessmer ([email protected])
Review of Applications Begins On
11/18/2022
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.