How to Apply

NOTE:  A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume in a single document to be uploaded in the online application.  The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position, and the skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

The Coordinator of Advising Operations and Technology within the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center supports and engages undergraduate students in pursuit of a liberal arts degree. Newnan plays a critical role in the undergraduate educational mission of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) at the University of Michigan. As the largest college on the Ann Arbor campus, LSA serves over 17,000 undergraduate students in over 100 degree programs. This position is primarily on-campus with possible allowances for occasional remote work after the probationary period, and reports to the Associate Director for Advising Operations and Technology. 

Who We Are

The Newnan Advising Center engages students, fosters their success, and upholds academic standards in support of the liberal arts and the University of Michigan community. As a community of higher education professionals, and in collaboration with key partners across the college and beyond, Newnan aspires to be a valued resource and leader in support of the academic and personal experience of undergraduate students at the university. Overall, Newnan is responsible for helping LSA undergraduates achieve the expectations and rewards of the liberal arts and science education afforded by the college. 

Responsibilities*

The Coordinator of Advising Operations and Technology in the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center is responsible for contributing to and improving efficient operational processes and procedures for daily advising and technology systems.

Working in partnership with the Associate Director of Advising Operations and Technology and the broader Newnan leadership team, the Coordinator will help organize a variety of advising practices and processes that assist advisors in supporting the academic and personal experiences of undergraduate students on a daily basis. In collaboration with the Director and Associate Directors, the Coordinator will also have shared responsibility for the ongoing review of advising and operational efforts. 

The successful candidate will play a key role in enhancing the daily operational interactions that professional advisors and Newnan staff have with undergraduate students through their knowledge of liberal arts advising, strategic planning, and operations. They will be expected to build relationships with advisors and administrative staff within the center, as well as across the college and university, in order to support the undergraduate student experience. They will also be expected to cultivate and contribute to a culture that is welcoming, supportive, and responsive to the diverse identities of our students and staff. 

In addition to helping streamline operational and technological efforts, the Coordinator is expected to maintain an assigned caseload of students. They will collaborate with a team of academic advisors within Newnan to provide support for students in the college and across the university, including the development and implementation of advising information, workshops, and initiatives. 

Coordination of Advising Operations and Technology (50%) 

• Help coordinate Newnan Advising Center’s operational processes and procedures; assist with program strategies and goals, contribute to long-term planning, and gather routine feedback about advising policies and procedures
• In collaboration with the Associate Director, strategize, plan and manage all aspects of academic advising access, including appointments, drop-in, chat, and other modalities as needed
• Coordinate front desk operations: hire, train, and supervise front desk student staff; oversee procedures for the daily operation of the front desk and ensure quality customer service; oversee and optimize communication among front desk constituents (students, advisors, visitors)
• In collaboration with the Operations Action Team, routinely identify opportunities for improvements and efficiency in advising technology; assist the Associate Director in the exploration, development, and implementation of technology strategies for Newnan and associated areas (needs assessment, survey development, focus groups, etc.)
• Collect feedback in multiple modalities about advising systems, processes, and procedures and technology from staff and students; maintain data to support timely updates of advisor assignments and caseload information 
• Lead trainings for new procedures introduced by Operations Action team and Associate Director; liaise with fellow Coordinators to ensure that all advising areas (Orientation, Communication and Student Engagement, etc.) are thriving in operational policies and practice
• In collaboration with Newnan leadership, determine life cycles of related areas and collaborate in preparing and communicating timelines for unit-wide operational efficacy
• Coordinate MDDP and BGS advising policies and practices and facilitate communication among advisors working in those areas

General Advising (30%) 

• Maintain a caseload of LSA first-year and continuing students 
• Assist students in their exploration of academic, co-curricular, and career opportunities and in their development of skills pertinent to their development as undergraduate students in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts 
• Provide accurate information about College courses and curriculum, policies, procedures, resources, and programs, making referrals when appropriate 
• Advise students regarding course selection during the Summer, Fall, and Winter Orientation and Registration programs 
• Maintain contact through email with advisees, including responding to progress reports, outreach to students in academic difficulty, and alerting students to options and new opportunities consistent with their growth and development 
• Maintain timely and accurate records of interactions with students, referrals, exceptions to standard procedures, and decisions affecting degree progress 
• Review, troubleshoot, and resolve student concerns - advising, degree exceptions, graduation requirements 
• Communicate with faculty and other administrators as needed 

Newnan Administrative Responsibilities (20%) 

• Conduct trainings, feedback sessions, workshops, and/or other initiatives relates to operations and technology
• Serve as a campus partner to one or more UM academic departments, and one school, college or administrative unit
• Contribute to internal resources about operations and technology as needed
• Represent Newnan and/or the college at recruitment and retention activities and events as needed
• Serve on Newnan Opportunities (committees, task forces, working groups) as time and interests allow 
• Exercise initiative in the ongoing efforts of the organization to improve the quality of service 

Required Qualifications*

• Advanced degree in a liberal arts field, higher education, or area of study affording understanding of the undergraduate student experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with at least two years academic advising experience in a college or university setting 
• Experience with academic advising, operations management,  higher educational technology and academic advising software
• Demonstrated development and implementation of innovative academic advising programs and/or initiatives 
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and identities 
• Proven ability to successfully work in a collaborative team environment 
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive and respectful working relationships with students, staff, and faculty 
• Strong written and oral communication skills 
• Ability to maintain the integrity of confidential materials and student information 

Supervision Received

          General supervision is received from the Associate Director of Advising Operations

Supervision Exercised

          Functional and administrative supervision over student workers

Desired Qualifications*

• Advanced degree in a liberal arts field, higher education, or area of study affording an understanding of the undergraduate student experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least three years of student services and/or academic advising experience in a college or university setting 
• Knowledge of research and best practices on academic advising, advising technology, and an ability to synthesize and communicate research/best practices
• Knowledge of student development theory
• Good judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive information
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and identities 
• Proven ability to successfully work in a collaborative team environment 
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive and respectful working relationships with students, staff, and faculty 

Additional Information

The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, fulfill the College’s Values, and sustain the excellence of LSA. To learn more about LSA’s Strategic Vision visit https://lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision. Details regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA can be found at https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei.html. 

The University of Michigan and LSA are committed to the ongoing development of a workplace culture supportive of personal and family life, which includes benefits, resources and tools promoting work-life flexibility. SAA strives to support work flexibility options while maintaining a high level of on-campus student support in alignment with the college’s residential experience. To learn more about the University’s generous and competitive benefits package visit https://careers.umich.edu/benefits/.  

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.  The University of Michigan is committed to foster learning, creativity and productivity, and to support the vigorous exchange of ideas and information, not only in the classroom but in the workplace by:  

• Creating a work environment in which people treat each other with respect and dignity, regardless of roles, responsibilities or differences. 
• Providing support, direction and resources enabling us to accomplish the responsibilities of our jobs and to reach the goals that are set for professional and personal growth. 

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended. 

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.