Full-time
December 20, 2018
Akron, OH
Located in Akron, Ohio, The University of Akron (UA) is one of the largest employers in the region and offers an array of employment opportunities. Here you'll find a metropolitan setting that places you in the heart of a dynamic, regional economy and in sync with the pulse of business, government and the community.
We're committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff by including individuals from varied backgrounds and characteristics, including age, gender, religion, ethnicity, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. We're also committed to offering competitive salary and benefits packages to qualified candidates.
Assist students in the Choose Ohio First STEMM Scholarship Program, Collegiate Success Scholars, Summer Bridge, and other retention initiatives. The Retention Coordinator will support scholars to achieve their educational goals by offering advisement, life coaching, and support throughout their academic career. Serve as a liaison to other departments on campus and provide special services to traditional, non-traditional, post-baccalaureate, transfer, new and returning students. Assist in supporting diverse students throughout their pursuit of a professional degree. Provide program/project planning and management and case management/advising as well as recruit students into the programs. Establish and build rapport through collaboration with internal and external partners.
Supervise and train professional and student staff, implement new strategies and initiatives for student success.
Support and advise students regarding academic matters and the educational alternatives open to them. Interpret and disseminate information to students regarding University requirements and academic/administration procedures. Contact students and maintain relationships to monitor academic progress. Advise students at new student orientation programs regarding the interpretation of placement assessment, curricular requirements related to academic objectives, career options, and registration procedures.
Provide academic advising and “Life Coaching” of students, as well as mentoring. Maintain accurate student records and assigned curriculum guides. Act as a liaison between Choose Ohio First and appointed academic departments. Supervision of assigned professional staff and student staff. Program development and implementations. Assist students in contacting appropriate campus and community services.
Familiarity with campus resources and University policies and procedures preferred. The job is physically comfortable; the individual is normally seated and has discretion about walking, standing, etc. May occasionally lift very lightweight objects. Standard working environment with possible minor inconveniences due to occasional noise, crowded working conditions and/or minor heating/cooling or ventilation problems. Near-continuous use (>70% of the time) of a video display terminal.
Requires relevant Master's Degree with a minimum of 3 years work experience in academic advising and/or counseling within a higher education setting. Strong organizational skills and basic computer skills including word processing and database capabilities, and excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Ability to provide student services in a higher education setting required. Experience working with non-traditional, minority and/or first-generation populations in an educational setting required. Knowledge of and experience developing curriculum and a willingness and ability to travel for recruiting purposes and be available for evening advising required. Event planning experience required. Direct supervision as a first-line supervisor over exempt staff (and non-exempt staff, if applicable).