Academic Advisor

STATUS: Full-Time
DIVISION: Academic Advising & Registration (AARO)
REPORTS TO: Director of Academic Advising, Registrar
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Academic Advisor position (within AARO) will report to the Director of Academic Advising for all job duties specific to advising and general registration. Advisors will report to the Registrar in the absence of the Director, and/or for additional support regarding curriculum, policies, or academic concerns.  Advisors will have a caseload of approximately 300 – 350 domestic students from the undergraduate program and is responsible for providing general academic advising and registration services to students. CCS Academic Advisors will provide assistance to assigned students, as well as new, current, and readmitted students in various majors. 

Academic Advisors will be expected to understand and communicate college policies, curriculum requirements of each academic department on campus, and collaborate with CCS student support resources.  The position will work closely with students, faculty, department administrators, and department chairs to assist students in their major decisions. Advisors will participate in student engagement activities, Commencement, retention efforts, and college initiatives. 

CCS Academic Advisors will work to maintain a professional environment that promotes student success and strive continuously for professional excellence within our advising and registration team.

ACCOUNTABILITIES & ESSNTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Advise an assigned caseload of undergraduate domestic students on major goals, curriculum and relevant issues, course selection and degree planning.
• Become proficient and knowledgeable with all CCS undergraduate curricula to assist/advise students within any major department at CCS.
• Develop a high level of accuracy interpreting program academic evaluations and transcripts on file.
• Monitor and track student progress towards degree completion; audit academic evaluations to ensure students are following curriculum and assess potential problems.
• Review low grades (midterm and final) for academic or schedule concerns; assess student needs and collaborate outreach with departments as required. 
• Place holds on student records and communicates academic/hold status to students who are in need of registration permission related to academic standing, class level, grade point average, low grades, etc.
• Advise at-risk, probation, and conditionally admitted students by following appropriate procedures and advising methods to develop academic plans that connect students to resources that facilitate student success.
• Respond to Early Alerts or other inquiries by faculty or staff in a timely manner regarding student concerns; submit appropriate referrals and follow-up.
• Conduct outreach as required (by phone, email, and/or U.S. mail) to assist with student success, retention efforts, and new student preregistration (i.e., first-week attendance notice, early alerts, at-risk or low midterm concerns, other individual student concerns or confirmations).
• Document all academic planning, advising meeting notes, student interactions, or concerns using the student record systems (Colleague, Student Planning, and Degree Audit).
• Use and process forms that coordinate with the appropriate advising and/or registration procedures (complete withdrawals, add/drop, registration permission, referrals forms, probation, etc.).
• Process new student files and follow the procedure to complete accurate registration and semester preparation for first-semester students.
• Instruct students how to use Access Manager for CCS Apps, Self-Service, Student Planning, to support advising and registration functions and to promote student self-sufficiency for registration and course planning.
• File all student records and meeting documentation using the Image Now Filing system.
• Uphold confidentiality of student records by adhering to the FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) policy.
• Answer questions and help students resolve issues by clarifying college policies, procedures and directing them to appropriate office/departments for assistance; send referrals as needed. 
• Report inconsistencies or inaccuracies with polices or procedures immediately to the Director or Registrar
• Plan and execute advising and registration workshops or group advising sessions each semester under the supervision of the Director.
• Attend department meetings and events to enhance student connection and to develop an understanding of trends and expectations within the major and career/industry. 
• Develop proficiency in the use of the College’s administrative database for student records, reporting systems, and business functions (Colleague, Informer, etc).
• Act as liaison for assigned major departments; communicate department updates or other notifications that impact the student experience, registration, or degree progress to the Director.
• Work and/or present at events such as New Student Orientation, Graduation, Admissions Open House events, etc.
• Assist with Academic Advising and Registration office support (phone coverage, filing, front desk coverage).
• Work cooperatively with the Director, Registrar, and across campus with Students, Enrollment and Student Services Offices, Department Administrators, Chairs, Faculty and Mentors and other Student Support Services.
• Maintain an open-door policy for all students needing assistance; provide general advising & registration assistance as needed.
• Participate in professional development activities that enhance academic advising outcomes and 
• Act as AICAD Exchange Program Coordinator (if assigned to that position).
• Perform additional duties as required.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in College Student Personnel or related field is strongly preferred.  
• 2-4 years academic advising experience
• Strong interpersonal skills with a high level of tact, empathy and diplomacy. 
• Ability to work diplomatically and effectively with faculty, staff, and students, and to use sound judgment.
• Detail-oriented with outstanding organizational, problem-solving and multi-tasking skills.
• Previous experience in an academic environment is preferred.
• Proficient computer skills are required in MS Word, Excel.  
• Experience in Colleague, Self Service/Student Planning and Image Now, preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office and college campus environment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site is required.

ABOUT CCS

College for Creative Studies is a nonprofit institution; it is one of the leading art and design colleges in the world. CCS is ranked by LinkedIn as a top three design school in the US and the best in the Midwest, based on alumni success. CCS has state-of-the-art facilities to support the complete range of creative production, from traditional art forms such as painting, glassblowing, foundry, and printmaking, to the most contemporary systems, including the latest digital imaging technology and extensive rapid prototyping output tools. The College currently enrolls more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 13 majors:  Advertising Design, Art Education, Art Practice, Communication Design, Craft and Material Studies, Entertainment Arts, Fashion Accessories Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, and Transportation Design. It also offers a Master’s degrees in four majors: Color and Materials Design, Interaction Design, Systems Design Thinking, and Transportation Design

Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format:  Resume and a letter of application should be submitted to:  [email protected]

CCS website: https://www.ccsdetroit.edu/

The College for Creative Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.