SS Pro 3-Academic Advising

Required:

• BA/BS degree plus at least four years of relevant experience, or master’s degree plus as least two years of relevant experience.
• Ability to work independently and be part of a team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Listening, interpersonal, and counseling skills along with the ability to use those skills with a highly diverse clientele of students and faculty.
• Demonstrated ability to relate meaningfully with students.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required (~10 days per year).

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Education, Engineering, Math, or the Sciences.
• Demonstrated collaborative skills.
• Experience interpreting complex policies and ability to learn and disseminate detailed information.
• Strong computer skills including Google Suite, APLUS, APAS, Coursedog, PeopleSoft, Mailchimp, and other student related computer applications
• Experience working as an Academic Advisor.
• Familiarity with College of Science and Engineering (CSE) and its student support services.
• Program development and planning experience.
• Event planning experience, especially related to student outreach and recruitment.
• Excellent time management, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with complex systems in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Ability to understand and advance the goals of the larger university mission, especially in regard to student populations and support.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is looking for an academic advisor to join a well established and dynamic program offering a top-notch educational experience for students majoring in the cutting edge field of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. The successful candidate will work closely with an existing academic advisor as the department expands its staff to continue its tradition of excellence in academic advising in response to growth in the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) and ECE. While providing support to approximately 400 (and growing) undergraduate students as they move toward graduation and onto their careers, this position will operate out of the centrally located Rice Student Services Center on the main floor of Keller Hall, working collaboratively with the current Academic Advisor, the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and the Chief of Staff (who has a background in student services). ECE Student Services is a unique advising space on campus that provides open-door access for students and prides itself on exceptional student service, wide-ranging collaboration with key partners, and a long-term mission-oriented outlook toward improving the educational experience for its students. There will be opportunities for collaborative and autonomous leadership aimed at enhancing programming and curriculum, along with continuing and strengthening partnerships with CSE and the broader university community.

Responsibilities:
60% - Undergraduate Academic Advising and Administration:

• Advise students on degree program planning, registration, and degree progress.
• Provide policy interpretation and recommend alternative courses of action to students.
• Monitor student cohort degree progress and send alerts/warnings to students who are experiencing academic challenges.
• Work with students on academic warning to support their academic success, utilizing knowledge of ECE, CSE and university services and effectively referring students to those services.
• Support student needs, including health and well-being.
• Maintain accurate student records according to UMN and CSE policies and procedures, including clearly documenting policy waivers and exceptions.
• Work with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to support the faculty guidance program and ensure positive student experiences.
• Working with the graduate advisor, provide student support for the integrated degree program (BEE/MSECE and BCompE/MSECE)
• Collaborate with appropriate advising staff in other departments/offices to support ECE students admitted to integrated degree programs outside of ECE (BCompE/MSCompSci).
• Provide exceptional customer service to students and their families from the pre-admission level to post-graduation.
• Communications: utilize a variety of communication channels to inform students about degree options, class updates, career options, events, advising requirements, etc.
• Help maintain the ECE Matrix (undergraduate advising website) and produce the ECE Current (weekly ECE undergraduate student newsletter).
• Act as an intermediary between students and ECE faculty.
• Collaborate with the CSE advising office to ensure a smooth transition into the major for ECE students and to increase the visibility of ECE programs among the CSE advising staff.
• Work with the Associate Head to support class scheduling and access to EE classes.
• Plan events such as ECE Commencement Celebration, Senior Design Show, Welcome to the Major event, and other events for current ECE students.
• Manage scholarship awards for ECE students.
• Other duties as assigned.

25% - Program Development and Management

• Help support and advise ECE department, ECE Curriculum Committee and ECE Faculty with U of M, CSE and ECE course processes including curriculum and course edits, updates and approvals. Includes supporting Coursedog class and program updates and maintaining course schedules through CCS.
• Coordinate or develop creative co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and initiatives for students including diversity, event, networking, conference, job, research and internship opportunities.
• Plan and deliver presentations and events for potential students including current CSE students and prospective high school students, coordinating with relevant partners in CSE and other university offices (ECE Department Info Sessions, Future Gopher Admitted Days, etc.).
• Partner with CSE student programs office to ensure participation of ECE students in appropriate programs and collaborate with ECE student groups to ensure successful experiences and opportunities for their members.
• Work with the Associate Head, ECE Curriculum Committee Chair, and the Chief of Staff to update curricular vision, courses, and each semester’s schedule of classes.

10% - Special Projects and Outreach

• Identify deficiencies in the curriculum, advising, diversity, retention and other key areas; redress them in consultation with experts and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with student groups, faculty, college and relevant outside entities to improve the learning and engagement environment.
• Explore ways to attract underrepresented groups/minorities to our majors.
• Engage with institutions, both academic and corporate, and programs outside of the U of M (domestic and international) to attract and promote partnerships that are academic and/or professional between the ECE department and external entities.

5% - Professional Development & Service

• Stay updated on university policies, attend required training, relevant professional conferences and workshops. Engage in continuous professional development.
• Opportunity to teach CSE 1001 each Fall semester.
• Opportunity to attend regional and national conferences.
• Identify best practices (in advising, the creation of a strong and engaging learning environment, student support, recruitment, establishing new partnerships with industry and others) followed at the U of M and other institutions; suitably replicate them within ECE.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is one of the largest departments within the College of Science and Engineering. Current research areas include Biomedical and Biological Computation Methods; Devices and Systems; Communications, Signal Processing, and Networking; Computer Engineering, VLSI, and Circuits; Fields, Photonics, and Magnetics; Micro and Nano Structures; Sustainable Energy Systems, Power Electronics and Drives; Systems and Controls. To learn more about the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Minnesota, please visit the department website.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. A cover letter and resume are required.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).

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