About the Department
The Director of Advising and Counseling directs the provision of services and support to students through academic advisement, career planning and development, student outreach and student progress monitoring. This position provides guidance and mentoring to optimize the student experience, improve student retention and success and assist the College in achieving its mission and vision of service to the community.
Position Duties
- Provides comprehensive academic and career planning services for students; administers academic and career planning assessments, interprets assessments and assists students in the development of an educational plan that addresses their interests, skills and abilities
- Provides academic advisement to new and returning students
- Collaborates with faculty and staff to promote continuity in the advising process
- Supervises the advising staff and day-to-day operation of the advising center; coordinates advising coverage
- Mentors advising staff on advising and career planning techniques to promote an environment of success for students
- Participates in cross-training activities for all areas of service in the First Stop (advising, testing, intake/admissions, financial aid)
- Maintains effective communication with newly enrolled and prospective students utilizing various methods
- Teaches college success skills courses
- Collaborates with various areas within and outside of student services to facilitate student success, retention and persistence
- Participates in open houses, new student orientation and various First-Year Experience initiatives
- Assists in the identification of target groups for comprehensive student recruitment and outreach activities on and off campus; makes visits to high schools, workplaces, etc.
- Serves as the point of contact for students in crisis
- Refers students to campus support services and community agencies as appropriate
- Provides a range of services designed to promote the personal growth, academic success and emotional health of students
- Offers services and programs to promote positive mental health throughout a student's enrollment
- Participates in appropriate committees and task forces as assigned
- Performs other job-related duties and projects as assigned in support of the College's mission, core values and goals
Minimum Qualifications
Master's degree in Counseling from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
Two (2) years' experience in academic advising, career development, or other related function within higher education.
Preferred:
Experience using Colleague.
Experience within the North Carolina Community College System.
Other Qualifications
Knowledge
- Student development theory, techniques and research associated with ensuring the success of diverse student populations
- Advising practices and principles
- Transfer requirements and articulation agreements
- Career planning principles and practices
- Academic assessment
- College policies and procedures, academic requirements, campus resources, student life and support services
- Customer service principles
- Principles, practices and techniques of counseling as applied to student problems
- Individual emotional and behavioral patterns, psychological disorders as well as social and economic factors that contribute to student concerns
-
Skills - Strong organizational, problem-solving and time management skills
- Interpersonal skills with proven ability to work in a team environment
- Proficiency in a variety of Window-based computer programs relative to performing responsibilities, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Professional behavior that supports team efforts and enhances team behavior, performance and productivity
Abilities - Analyze course prerequisites, certification, curriculum, graduation requirements and evaluate student transcripts or records
- Exercise sound judgement in making critical decisions
- Develop objectives, evaluate effectiveness and assess needs
- Develop and facilitate information and registration sessions
- Communicate effectively in both written and verbal form
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
- Handle confidential information with absolute discretion
- Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; demonstrated ability to work effectively with a culturally diverse workforce, including those with different levels of academic preparation and varying physical and learning abilities, and socioeconomic levels