Senior Academic Advisor - Undergraduate Engineering

Led by the Dean of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies, the advising team fosters academic growth, empowerment, and success of undergraduate students in the School of Engineering at Tufts University. We partner with faculty to plan and guide the academic experience from the time students accept their offers of admission to the time they graduate. Specifically, the advising team provides students with advising, academic support, direction, and the necessary information for students to make informed academic decisions. We take an individualized and holistic approach to helping students, while working to maintain fairness and consistency. We advocate for student needs while also educating them about University and School policies and procedures and helping them understand their responsibility. We work closely with other campus offices and centers including Office of Student Life, StAAR Center, Global Education, Career Center, Office of the Registrar, Center for STEM Diversity, Health and Wellness, Scholar Development, and the School of Arts & Sciences advising team. And we engage with university constituencies to improve the academic experience of undergraduate students at Tufts.

Student Advising

* Counsel and advise students on academic program, including course selection and requirements for majors and minors
* Maintain a detailed understanding of cohort-specific program requirements as curricula and policies evolve
* Assist students in making thoughtful and appropriate educational choices and decisions
* Assist students with degree progress, applying for graduation, and completing necessary paperwork
* Work closely with the department chairs and other staff in the Departments of Computer Science and Electrical & Computer Engineering to address advising questions posed by faculty and students
* Collaborate with faculty to develop advising strategies and to support students
* Proactively identify and support students of concern
* Facilitate connection to University resources in support of student success
* Conduct group information sessions as well as provide individual counseling
* Meet regularly with the School of Engineering advising team to share information and best practices about students and academic advising in the departments
* Participate in advising-related major declaration and Orientation events and activities

Faculty and Department Support

* Review student petitions and aid in their approval and submission
* Assign faculty advisor's to new majors
* Manage work-flow of major and minor declaration forms
* Support degree certification with student records team and program director
* Assist faculty and staff with managing high-enrollment courses during the registration period

Advising Communications

* Write and update orientation materials and documentation
* Write and update major guides and other undergraduate-facing documentation
* Maintain and update text academic sections of department website, especially as pertains to course listings; maintain course offering brochure and high enrollment policy guide
* Maintain web and print resources to better communicate academic policies
* Respond to prospective student queries

Partner Support

* Support Tufts Global Education and the StAAR Center with curricular expertise
* Support the Center for STEM Diversity with academic advising expertise
* Collaborate with the School of Arts & Sciences advising team, Office of the Registrar, Office of Student Life, and Career Center to support student success.

The Senior Academic Advisor will focus on advising and counseling students on their selected program of study; monitoring student academic progress; and identifying students of concern. The successful candidate will work on a team of two Senior Academic Advisors supporting the Departments of Computer Science and Electrical & Computer Engineering. The position requires effective communication and collaboration with the faculty in these departments, as well as the School of Engineering Advising team. Senior Academic Advisors manage undergraduate student records and student-related academic processes. The position also creates and maintains advising guides and other resource materials.

Basic Requirements:

* Bachelor's degree in science, math, or engineering required.
* Two or more years experience in academic advising, mentor-ship or education
* Commitment to advising, mentoring, and guiding college students.
* Superior interpersonal skills, including flexibility and approachability.
* Excellent skills in written and oral communication; able to write, edit, and proofread educational documents and other publications. Confidence and experience in teaching, public speaking, or giving effective presentations before large groups.
* Proficient with technology, including various software programs and applications for writing documents, making spreadsheets, creating databases, producing brochures and slide-shows, and communicating through web-based audio-video services.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Master's degree preferred. Preferred educational background in STEM.
* Two or more years of related experience as an instructor, advisor, tutor, mentor, or administrator in a college or university setting.
* Additional experience working in other areas of university student services, such as student affairs, campus life programs, college learning centers, multicultural affairs, bridge programs, and retention programs is beneficial.
* Dedication to serving and supporting a diverse student population, including students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, students with disabilities, and students who do not conform to gender stereotypes.
* Proficient with a variety of social media platforms and tools for sharing documents, images, and video online.
* Must be able to work independently, think on one's feet, set priorities, and manage time effectively.