Senior Advisor For General Education

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

A nationally ranked private university located near the heart of Dallas, SMU is a distinguished center for global research and teaching.

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

An area within the Office of the Provost, Student Academic Engagement & Success works to ensure SMU students are aware of the academic opportunities and support systems that operate across campus to ensure their academic success and enrich their experiences inside and outside the classroom. 

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. Anticipated start date is June 1, 2023.

The Senior Advisor for General Education is responsible for coordinating the Office of General Education's undergraduate student outreach and timely offering academic advising to ensure progression through Common Curriculum requirements.

This position develops advising practices and policies and conducts comprehensive academic, career, and other student support services. Acts as a mentor and trainer to other Academic Advisors for the specialty area of General Education. The Senior Advisor develops, oversees, and provides Office of General Education programs, initiatives, and student interventions to undergraduate students.

Reporting to the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education and Academic Success, the position aids with academic integration efforts within the co-curricular.

Essential Functions:

• Guide students in the selection of courses, short- and long-term academic planning, and monitor the progress of advising toward fulfillment of academic goals and requirements (e.g., General Education, major/minor). Guide students on submitting academic petitions. Represent the Office of General Education to various programs, offices, and groups to group advising sessions. Maintain accurate records
  

• Provide specialized population-specific knowledge (e.g., Common Curriculum requirements) to other academic advisors and academic support staff. Lead training sessions and job aid development for academic advisors. Develop and oversee programs, initiatives, and student interventions within the designated specialized population, including advising pop-ups, workshops, and more. Mentor and train staff.
  

• Collaborate with academic (e.g., A-LEC, First Generation Initiative, etc.) and student affairs offices (e.g., housing) to strengthen academic programming in the co-curricular. Supervise mid-size to large numbers of peer mentors and/or student workers teams who facilitate educational programming on campus related to the common reading. Support the use and adoption of academic tools. 
  

• Counsel population-specific students (e.g., pre-major and declared majors on the Common Curriculum) who are exploring majors, students on academic probation, or otherwise considered at-risk. Offer additional guidance and support. Referrals to campus resources (e.g., A-LEC, Hegi Family Career Development Center, Caring Community Connections, Student Success & Retention)
  

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Position requires some scheduled evening and weekend work

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required. Master's degree preferred. Degree in counseling, higher education, education or related fields, desired.

A minimum of three years of advising experience within an educational setting is required.

Previous academic advising or teaching experience preferred. An understanding of student or academic affairs within higher education desired. Previous experience supervising student workers/student leaders and/or experience advising student organizations is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills with the ability to build relationships with a diverse population of students, parents, staff, and faculty. Must also demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing. A strong customer service orientation is essential.

Candidate must possess strong organizational, planning and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. Must also demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. A strong focus on attention to detail is essential.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Outlook. Word, PowerPoint, and Excel). Experience with and/or a working knowledge of SharePoint desired. Strong project management skills preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

May 22, 2023 

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by May 10, 2023.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.