Assistant Director of Graduate Advising - School of Social Work
VCU School of Social Work, Richmond, VA, United States
Overview
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Social Work (SSW) welcomes applications for the position of Assistant Director of Graduate Advising. The Assistant Director will work closely with the Master of Social Work (MSW) Advising Team, the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, program directors, faculty, and staff to foster responsibility and empowerment for students as they progress toward successful completion of their program.
General Responsibilities The Assistant Director of Graduate Advising will provide holistic academic advising to an assigned caseload of students. They will facilitate efficient and effective advising‑related internal processes and develop/enhance retention initiatives and programming to proactively address retention and student engagement. They will collaborate with the MSW Advising Team to implement student engagement programs for students on campus and online and oversee the coordination of events, including synchronous and asynchronous new student orientation events held within the School of Social Work. The Assistant Director will play an integral role in onboarding new advising staff and serve as a supervisor to the MSW Advising Team. They will provide coverage and act as a backup in areas related to student success in the absence of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.
Typical Duties
Provide academic advising services to an assigned caseload of students, including knowledge of advising role, student profiles, curricula, graduation requirements, academic regulations, and deadlines.
Advise, assist, and monitor current students individually and in groups on academic areas such as navigating policies, time management, study strategies, course selection/registration, internship requirements, transfer information, and post‑graduation options.
Advise and assist students in areas related to social integration such as residential life, community engagement opportunities, and professional development opportunities.
Evaluate and proactively address student strengths and challenges related to professional development as a social worker (academic, administrative, personal).
Refer students to appropriate academic and non‑academic resources at the school and university.
Communicate student advising issues and updates with relevant faculty, program directors, and administrators.
Contact students after receipt of early alerts and midterm grades of D or F and conduct retention outreach for potential enrollment stop‑out.
Maintain current and accurate documentation of advising communication and information.
Oversee MSW Academic Advising Operations
Develop efficient and effective advising‑related internal processes.
Maintain awareness and dissemination of advising‑related resources and current policies and processes related to advising and degree requirements.
Collaborate with internal and external programs and offices to ensure an intentional student experience.
Coordinate and facilitate training and use of advising technology such as DegreeWorks, Navigate, eServices, and Banner.
Assist the advising team with effective case management strategies.
Mentor advisors to enhance their professional development and job satisfaction.
Leadership and Liaison Role
Provide supervision to the MSW Advising Team.
Provide procedural oversight for onboarding and training student success advisors, including development of training materials.
Lead collaboration on development of efficient and effective advising‑related processes, including program and office administrators and staff.
Assist advisors with challenges and responsibilities associated with their position.
Serve and provide leadership on program, school, and university committees that enhance retention and overall student experience.
Provide coverage and act as backup for retention and advising duties in absence of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.
Develop Retention Initiatives and Programming for MSW Students
Assist in identifying strategies for proactively addressing potential retention issues, including execution of university and school campaigns and coordination of the school’s early advisory alert process.
Assist in the development of retention‑related programming, such as workshops and panels related to financial literacy, wellness/self‑care, time management, and activities that encourage student engagement.
Oversee coordination of retention‑related events, including synchronous and asynchronous new student orientation events, both online and on campus.
Collaborate with the Office of Communications on content development, timeline, and accurate dissemination of retention‑related student communications.
Track and report retention‑related information such as attrition data.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in social work, education, professional counseling, psychology, or related field.
3‑5 years of academic advising, student success, and/or retention‑related experience.
Demonstrated experience fostering a welcoming and supportive environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds.
Excellent written, interpersonal, and oral communication skills, including public speaking.
Ability to support and contribute to a dynamic and healthy team environment.
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks concurrently and independently.
Ability to maintain confidential, accurate records and databases.
Excellent computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite products, as well as various communication technologies including Google Apps, Zoom, and social media.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience providing academic advising and/or retention initiatives with social work students in a college or university setting.
Experience using university advising platforms such as Navigate, DegreeWorks, Banner, etc.
Experience planning and implementing retention and student success efforts such as supporting targeted population initiatives, new and continuing student orientation, commencement, and student programming.
Experience supervising staff, including providing guidance, feedback, and support for professional development.
Experience working with non‑traditional students in an in‑person and online degree program.
Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $62,000 – $65,000.
All full‑time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package, including comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax‑deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well‑being resources, and abundant opportunities for career development and advancement.
Other Information FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: YES
Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid
University Job Title: Manager 1, Academic and Faculty Affairs
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General Responsibilities The Assistant Director of Graduate Advising will provide holistic academic advising to an assigned caseload of students. They will facilitate efficient and effective advising‑related internal processes and develop/enhance retention initiatives and programming to proactively address retention and student engagement. They will collaborate with the MSW Advising Team to implement student engagement programs for students on campus and online and oversee the coordination of events, including synchronous and asynchronous new student orientation events held within the School of Social Work. The Assistant Director will play an integral role in onboarding new advising staff and serve as a supervisor to the MSW Advising Team. They will provide coverage and act as a backup in areas related to student success in the absence of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.
Typical Duties
Provide academic advising services to an assigned caseload of students, including knowledge of advising role, student profiles, curricula, graduation requirements, academic regulations, and deadlines.
Advise, assist, and monitor current students individually and in groups on academic areas such as navigating policies, time management, study strategies, course selection/registration, internship requirements, transfer information, and post‑graduation options.
Advise and assist students in areas related to social integration such as residential life, community engagement opportunities, and professional development opportunities.
Evaluate and proactively address student strengths and challenges related to professional development as a social worker (academic, administrative, personal).
Refer students to appropriate academic and non‑academic resources at the school and university.
Communicate student advising issues and updates with relevant faculty, program directors, and administrators.
Contact students after receipt of early alerts and midterm grades of D or F and conduct retention outreach for potential enrollment stop‑out.
Maintain current and accurate documentation of advising communication and information.
Oversee MSW Academic Advising Operations
Develop efficient and effective advising‑related internal processes.
Maintain awareness and dissemination of advising‑related resources and current policies and processes related to advising and degree requirements.
Collaborate with internal and external programs and offices to ensure an intentional student experience.
Coordinate and facilitate training and use of advising technology such as DegreeWorks, Navigate, eServices, and Banner.
Assist the advising team with effective case management strategies.
Mentor advisors to enhance their professional development and job satisfaction.
Leadership and Liaison Role
Provide supervision to the MSW Advising Team.
Provide procedural oversight for onboarding and training student success advisors, including development of training materials.
Lead collaboration on development of efficient and effective advising‑related processes, including program and office administrators and staff.
Assist advisors with challenges and responsibilities associated with their position.
Serve and provide leadership on program, school, and university committees that enhance retention and overall student experience.
Provide coverage and act as backup for retention and advising duties in absence of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.
Develop Retention Initiatives and Programming for MSW Students
Assist in identifying strategies for proactively addressing potential retention issues, including execution of university and school campaigns and coordination of the school’s early advisory alert process.
Assist in the development of retention‑related programming, such as workshops and panels related to financial literacy, wellness/self‑care, time management, and activities that encourage student engagement.
Oversee coordination of retention‑related events, including synchronous and asynchronous new student orientation events, both online and on campus.
Collaborate with the Office of Communications on content development, timeline, and accurate dissemination of retention‑related student communications.
Track and report retention‑related information such as attrition data.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in social work, education, professional counseling, psychology, or related field.
3‑5 years of academic advising, student success, and/or retention‑related experience.
Demonstrated experience fostering a welcoming and supportive environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds.
Excellent written, interpersonal, and oral communication skills, including public speaking.
Ability to support and contribute to a dynamic and healthy team environment.
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks concurrently and independently.
Ability to maintain confidential, accurate records and databases.
Excellent computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite products, as well as various communication technologies including Google Apps, Zoom, and social media.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience providing academic advising and/or retention initiatives with social work students in a college or university setting.
Experience using university advising platforms such as Navigate, DegreeWorks, Banner, etc.
Experience planning and implementing retention and student success efforts such as supporting targeted population initiatives, new and continuing student orientation, commencement, and student programming.
Experience supervising staff, including providing guidance, feedback, and support for professional development.
Experience working with non‑traditional students in an in‑person and online degree program.
Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $62,000 – $65,000.
All full‑time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package, including comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax‑deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well‑being resources, and abundant opportunities for career development and advancement.
Other Information FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: YES
Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid
University Job Title: Manager 1, Academic and Faculty Affairs
#J-18808-Ljbffr