Student Success Advisor (Remote Eligible)

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Student Success Advisor is integral in creating a cohesive, transparent experience for online students from the time of inquiry to graduation. Works with students to enhance academic planning, student satisfaction, student persistence, and retention.

This position may have the opportunity to work remotely where all work is performed from an alternative work location either within or outside the state of Idaho. Candidates in this role must be able to work Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Mountain Time) to actively provide student advising through phone, zoom, and email appointments while also completing assigned duties based on priority.

Department Overview:

The Division of Extended Studies is on a mission to extend higher education beyond traditional boundaries. Our collaborative teams expand student access and improve student success with innovative programs that reach across our metropolitan area, Idaho, and beyond. We facilitate online education, community-based programs, concurrent enrollment at high schools, summer sessions, continuing education programs, and other lifelong learning options. Join us!

The Boise State Online advising team works with online and flex students throughout their entire educational journey. We care deeply about providing both fully online and flex students with a positive advising experience from admission to graduation. Our team onboards students to Boise State, supports them during their time at the university, and celebrates with them at graduation. We treat each student as a unique individual, empowering and equipping them with the information and tools they need to reach their goals. We care deeply about student success and meet students where they are at to help them reach their goals. Join us as our next Student Success Advisor!

Level Scope:

Fully competent and productive professional contributor who applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete substantive assignments/projects/tasks of moderate scope and complexity. Works independently with general supervision; exercises judgment within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action. May provide guidance and assistance to entry-level professionals and/or support employees.

Essential Functions:

● Serve as an academic advisor for an online degree program. Assist students in course sequencing, registration, adding and dropping courses, university forms, and paperwork.
● Advise admitted students through an orientation to Boise State and the academic program, selecting classes, registration, textbook ordering, and preparing for class start-up.
● Track and project student enrollment, degree plan, and degree progression.
● Discuss academic progress as it relates to degree requirements and student interests. Advise students at key points in time while students are enrolled to get a progress update, identify an appropriate degree path, point out critical future deadlines, and gather feedback regarding the overall program experience.
● Coach students through academic difficulties, developing a growth mindset and improving academic beliefs and behaviors to achieve success.
● Engage in intentional and continuous efforts to improve service to and coaching of students, which includes improving internal processes, procedures, resources, and published content.
● Interpret academic policy, rules, and regulations of online programs and universities as needed.
● Coordinate with the program coordinator, field advisors, faculty and support staff within the online program to provide coordinated support and advising for the student.
● Demonstrate a high level of maturity and independent judgment when working with various constituencies to analyze and evaluate the needs of the student, accurately assess the situation, determine appropriate information and referrals, exercise discretion to resolve issues, and tailor the message to fit each unique situation.
● Maintain professional flexibility to accommodate rapidly changing processes, program information, and priorities.
● Provide resources to students regarding how to prepare for taking and being successful in face-to-face and online classes. In addition to web-based orientation regarding online learning, also advise students on time management, communicating in an online setting, and use of Canvas as needed.
● Communicate effectively, proactively, and regularly with students using telephone, email, and virtual communication tools.
● Serve as a student services advocate by providing accurate information related to registration, graduation, credit transfer, degree requirements, tutoring, financial aid, fee payment, course materials/tests, counseling services, and community resources. Refer to service specialists as needed.
● Interpret academic policy, rules and regulations of online and flex programs and university as needed. Problem-solve a variety of student-related issues that will involve interpreting policies and procedures, fact-finding, communicating with field experts, creating options, and deciding final action.
● Support the enrollment, retention, and graduation goals of the assigned program(s), Extended Studies, and the University.
● Serve as a contact and advise individuals who indicate interest in pursuing an online or flex degree program through Boise State University. Providing accurate information regarding the academic program attributes, admissions, financial aid, online education, and degree plans.
● Provide advice to prospective students about university policies, programs of study, and degree options
● Be fully informed of Boise State admission policies and procedures to communicate the intricacies of the process to prospective students.
● Follow up with prospective students regularly, sharing academic degree details, admission materials needed by the university, and the academic program and processes that need to be completed.
● Work with applicants, encouraging them to complete university and academic program-specific admission requirements.
● Support the Student Success team to provide information for follow-up with prospective students. Coordinate messaging to create uniformity and consistency across the teams
● Engage in intentional and continuous efforts to improve recruitment of new students who are a good fit for the online and flex programs.
● Successfully develop and maintain positive, collaborative, respect-based relationships with co-workers, customers, and stakeholders within and outside of Boise State, including online program coordinators, academic department leadership, faculty and support staff; Boise State Enrollment Service Offices, Graduate Admissions and Degree Services, Academic Advising and Enhancement, community college transfer center coordinators and academic advisors, community college administrative staff, and professional educators.
● Complete and balance multiple work projects, respond with adaptability to rapidly changing priorities, and work well under pressure. Proven work performance that is reliable, dedicated, productive, and exhibits strong self-initiative.
● Provide effective customer service and actively listen and appropriately respond to colleagues, stakeholders, and supervisor needs/requests.
● Work effectively both independently and cooperatively as a member of a team. Willingness to take direction, remain open and amenable to instruction, and quickly acquire/learn/share new knowledge/skills as needed.
● May perform other duties as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

● Ability to perform in a manner that is reliable, dedicated, productive, and exhibits strong self-initiative.
● Experience in providing excellent customer service.
● Ability to collaborate and negotiate to achieve a desired outcome, to persuade and motivate others to pursue action.
● Experience in handling difficult and sensitive situations, using sound, independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines. Defuse tension in customer interactions, should it arise.
● Ability to assimilate and organize material and ideas to communicate effectively in a variety of forms.
● Communicate virtually in a professional manner. Compose written material with a succinct, articulate message free of spelling or grammatical errors.
● Knowledge of and understanding of the online learning environment.
● Establish and maintain effective working relationships with and elicit cooperation from colleagues, members of external groups, and co-workers on complex issues.
● Ability to preserve confidentiality of sensitive information.
● Ability to thrive in a dynamic atmosphere and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
● Be sensitive to the concerns and needs of a variety of student populations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree and 2 years of professional experience or equivalent relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

● Master’s degree in an appropriate field from an accredited college or university.
● 2 years experience in academic advising in a higher education environment.
● 1 year experience in degree planning and course sequencing.
● 1 year experience with PeopleSoft or a similar student information system.
● 1 year experience with Slate or similar Customer Relations Management (CRM) database.

Salary and Benefits:   Starting salary of $48,609.60/annually and is commensurate with experience. Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 12 paid holidays AND the University is closed between Christmas and New Year's (requires use of 3 vacation days)
• Between 12-24 annual paid vacation days for full-time Professional and Classified staff depending on position type and years of service
• 9.27% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)
• 11.96% University contribution to your PERSI retirement fund (Classified employees)
• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages
• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents
• See our full benefits page for more information!

Required Application Materials:

Resume
Cover Letter

About Us:

Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We’re a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

Boise State is proud to be recognized by Forbes as the only Idaho employer listed in the top 100 of all national midsize and large employers. We’re building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about Boise State and living in Idaho’s Treasure Valley at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/

 

 

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