Academic Advisor and Student Engagement Coordinator

Department: Col of Ed and Human Development

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The School of Sport Recreation and Tourism Management (SRTM) delivers exceptional educational opportunities, research of consequence, and meaningful service in sport, recreation, tourism, events, and hospitality to meet the needs and interests of a diverse community of engaged stakeholders.

The School of SRTM aspires to become a global leader in research, teaching, and service, related to the management of sport, recreation, tourism, events, and hospitality. Through quality educational practices, the school will enhance the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions of students and graduates, providing them with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Through theoretical and applied research, in combination with relevant professional development activities, the school will add to the understanding of, and be a positive change agent for, these interrelated economic segments. Through our dynamic world-class faculty, cutting-edge curricula, and innovative thinking, the school will remain at the forefront of research productivity, professional development, and functional impact at the local, national, and international levels across its content area foci. The school represents innovative and entrepreneurial thinking that yields new opportunities for all stakeholders.

About the Position:

The SRTM Academic Advisor and Student Engagement Coordinator plays an important role in helping undergraduate and graduate students choose an appropriate course of study and to pursue that academic program in an efficient manner. The Academic Advisor and Student Engagement Coordinator is a full-time, 12-month classified staff member who meets regularly with students, helping them to meet their educational and career goals. The position works closely with SRTM School Director and Academic Program Coordinators as well as the CEHD Student and Academic Affairs Office. The position also works closely with admissions, performing outreach duties to connect with new and prospective students. This position engages students through SRTM-specific events and communications; planning and promoting events and encouraging participation. Promotes and coordinates SRTM communication (announcements, surveys, school news, etc.) with students. This position is an essential part of the school management team who will contribute to event and strategy development. The position is primarily located on the Fairfax campus. Occasional evening and weekend activities are required based on SRTM and Admission events schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Advises SRTM undergraduate and graduate students from their initial experience at new student orientation through graduation via face-to-face meetings, virtual, phone and email communication;
• Teaches students to engage in a process of self-reflection and goal setting by guiding them to find degree pathways and minors that match their interests, skills, and abilities;
• Maintains advising records for each student;
• Represents SRTM at various admissions events, committees, and phone campaigns throughout the academic year;
• Engages with prospective students/families/groups via face-to-face meetings, WebEx/Skype, phone, and email communication;
• Connects students to campus resources and co-curricular opportunities to provide a holistic learning environment for the students;
• Assists students with initiating academic actions such as course substitutions, transfer credit evaluations, study elsewhere, leaves of absence and late graduation applications;
• Liaises with SAA Deans on complex student cases;
• Develops and maintains relationships with SRTM faculty, staff, Academic Program Coordinators, School Director, and the CEHD Office of Student and Academic Affairs to work together to resolve student issues;
• Provides programmatic support to Academic Program Coordinators on issues such as course scheduling, course prerequisites, and GPA requirements;
• Provides support and leadership for development and implementation of events by the school, including collaboration with key units on campus to develop programs and co-curricular activities;
• Student-focused events specific to SRTM must be planned and implemented in a coordinated manner to meet student needs and interests that do not interfere with previously scheduled activities, and garner the support of faculty and staff;
• Each event requires the coordination with college and campus entities such as Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Communications, Admissions, Enrollment Management, Event Management, Facilities, Campus Police, etc;
• Advises and supports SRTM strategic management, including formulation and updates of strategic planning. This includes environmental scanning to help inform strategies and engagement with students to further inform strategies; and
• Engages with program, school and college personnel to help inform strategies for learning, enrollment grown (recruitment and retention), and student development. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Some previous experience in advising students is essential;
• Understanding of basic advising strategies, i.e., how to guide students through self-reflection and goal setting during face-to-face, virtual, phone, or email advising sessions;
• Proficient in one-on-one and group advising, utilizing multiple platforms (face-to-face, WebEx/Skype, phone, email) to meet students' needs; and
• Ability to maintain accurate advising records and use them to track student progress, ensuring personalized advising for each student.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Experience in advising students in similar programs;
• Experience with systems used by George Mason University;
• Familiarity with SRTM programs, including course scheduling, prerequisites, and GPA requirements, enabling informed support to other staff and students;
• Knowledge of the university's academic and co-curricular offerings to advise students on program options matching their skills and interests;
• Comprehension of diverse student backgrounds and experiences, which aids in personalizing advising strategies and academic planning; and
• Awareness of the unique challenges and goals of undergraduate and graduate students, allowing for tailored support through all academic stages, from orientation to graduation.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Academic Advisor and Student Engagement Coordinator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent, Resume and Certification for review.

Posting Open Date: September 23, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  October 18, 2024

Open Until Filled:  Yes