Director, Academic Advising

Job Title

Director, Academic Advising

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Dean's Office Staff

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M Forest Service
• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

We are seeking a Director of Advising, who under general direction from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, is responsible for the advising, retention, and graduation of undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. This position works with college-wide leadership to improve academic advising programs related to undergraduate and graduate student advising, retention and graduation rates. In addition, this position supervises senior academic advisors in each advising center and provides oversight and management of advising functions for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Director of Advising will oversee daily advising operations and provide guidance for academic advising staff in the college. The Director of Advising will oversee new student conferences and work with the Director of Student Success to ensure that the college’s advising staff contributes to the achievement of objectives and outcomes related to student success.
 

Job Responsibilities

College Advising Leadership

• Provide oversight and leadership in the development and maintenance of academic advising standards for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
• Oversee the college’s advising centers.
• Direct and supervise the lead advisor for each advising center.
• Assist with hiring and provide training for academic advising staff.
• Oversee new student conferences.
• Track objectives and outcomes throughout each semester in consultation with the academic associate dean and the director of student success.
• Streamline and strengthen undergraduate and graduate academic advising in the college in consultation with the academic associate dean and with input from academic advisors.
• Implement professional advising standards and best practices regarding the advising, retention, and graduation of students.
• Works collaboratively with college leadership providing information for effective decision-making.
• Works collaboratively with advising center supervisors and advising staff to foster teamwork and team building.
• Ensures that adequate data on academic advising is collected, maintained, and disseminated to the academic associate dean and other appropriate college leadership. 
• Collaborate with other college staff to create, maintain, assess, and modify intervention strategies to increase student success, retention, and completion.
• Maintain professional relationships with academic and student support offices across campus.
• Oversee and implement academic advising award committee.
• Review and make decisions on all readmission applicants.
• Oversee professional development funding for academic advisors.
• Serve on college and university level committees related to academic advising.
• Provides guidance, resources, and communications to lead advisors to support adherence to university and college rules and processes.
• Identify areas of need and implement professional development programs and opportunities for COALS advising staff.
• Connect with satellite advising hub locations on a routine basis (e.g., weekly).
• Work collaboratively with college leadership (e.g., Director of Student Success, Director of Operations, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, etc.) and serve as advising liaison to help support related college goals.

Records Maintenance

• Track objectives and outcomes throughout each semester in consultation with the academic associate dean and the director of student success
• Collect, maintain and disseminate data on academic advising, student load, etc.
• Track professional development funding for academic advisors

Student Outreach Oversight

• Advise students in the AGLS program, the college’s student retention program.
• Serve as an instructor for a section of the college’s First Year Experience course (AGLS 125) or other course(s) as appropriate.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:
- Master’s degree in agriculture or Life Sciences, Student Affairs, Higher Education, or related field.
-Ten (10) years of related experience in higher education, includes at least 3 years of experience with academic advising, academic programs, and student support programs.

Preferred Education and Experience:

-Five (5) years of experience with academic advising.

-Three (3) years of supervisory experience.

-Demonstrated experience advising undergraduate and graduate student populations.

-Experience working with campus organizations like records, admissions, registrar, and financial aid.

-Experience using Education Advisor Board’s Navigate system and the university COMPASS system.

Required Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

-Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

-Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure understanding.

-Ability to be helpful, respectful, approachable, and team oriented.

-Ability to build strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

-Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

-Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation applications.

-Demonstrated academic professional writing skills.

-Proficiency in project management software.

-Excellent data analytical skills.

-Effective verbal and written communication skills.

-Knowledge of processes related to student recruitment, admission, retention, and graduation.

-Strong supervisory skills and a proven track record of supervision.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays  
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas  
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover letter
• List of 3 references with contact information

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.