Graduate Academic Advisor at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky

Job Description:

DEPARTMENT: Graduate Studies                                               

REPORTS TO: Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs 

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time        

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: 
Exempt
             

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY: 

The Graduate Studies at KSU serves all students to provide seamless, robust, focused, and comprehensive educational support. The Full-Time Graduate Academic Advisor will join a team of outstanding individuals with diverse professional and personal backgrounds in the Graduate Studies who form a high-functioning community of practice. The Full-Time Graduate Academic Advisor will provide personalized, one-on-one support in navigating the road to academic success, and staying on track towards degree completion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serves as advisor and interfaces with representatives of industrial, governmental, and educational employers.


• Closely coordinates communication with deans, department chairs, and other faculty to ensure that the Graduate Studies is meeting the needs and desires of the academic colleges and departments, within the limitations imposed by the size of the staff and financial support provided by the university.


• Constantly monitors, analyzes, and evaluates the current scope of services offered through the Graduate Studies and plans, implements, and directs new programs under the supervision of the graduate studies.


• Provides career advising expertise to graduate students and alumni regarding the job-search process, interviewing, resume, letter writing, and all other facets of career planning.


• Conduct personalized academic advising meetings to assist graduate students with course selection and graduation plans tailored to their academic interests and goals.


• Assist with the selection of majors and the fulfillment of the curriculum requirements.


• Help students gain an understanding of Graduate Studies requirements.


• Assist with course selection and registration.


• Monitor academic progress.


• Assist with transition issues as needed and provide referrals to campus resources.


• Assist with retention programming efforts.


• Represent the Graduate Studies at open houses, admission events, and other functions as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree or a closely related field with applicable experience in higher education settings


• 1-2 year’s experience working in Higher Education

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Superior listening and critical thinking skills and the ability to multi-task


• Experience with retention data collection and reporting


• Working knowledge of postsecondary academic advising and retention strategies


• Candidates should have the ability to become knowledgeable of the range of varied student services available, enrollment services, academic policies, requirements, and procedures of Kentucky State University


• Strong interpersonal/human relations skills essential


• Ability to initiate and maintain professional relationships with diverse groups, demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student population including low-income, first-generation, students of color, disabled, underrepresented, older and non-traditional, and international students


• Must have excellent verbal and written communication


• The ability to maintain confidentiality is essential


• Must have attention to detail


• Basic skills in productivity software (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel)


• Proactively engage and advise graduate students in one-on-one (phone, face to face, Microsoft Teams, email) and group settings


• Must be able to multi-task, prioritize, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines


• Must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and possess excellent organizational skills


• Coaching students in strategies to foster their personal and professional growth and development; identifying, planning and executing needed educational programs and resources for students; effectively and efficiently utilizing the University’s technology tools, including our student communication platform, and student information system, to assess individual student progress and ensuring a quality student experience


• Serve as an advocate for the students in the campus community, assist students in resolving problems and challenges and proactively engage in registration outreach


• Establish and maintain working relationships with faculty and develop a thorough understanding of all aspects and nuances of the academic programs and curricular options

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior and/or office work environment.


• Ability to travel for recruiting students.


• No or very limited physical effort is required.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.