Trio Academic Advisor

Position Details
Position Information
Classification Title
MSUAASF Range C
Working Title
TRIO Academic Advisor
Hire Type
Staff
Division
Strategic Enrollment Management
Department
TRIO
Unit
TRIO
Location
SCSU Main Campus, 720 Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud MN 56301
FLSA
Exempt
Full/Part Time
Full Time
FTE
1.0
Employment Condition
Externally Funded
Work Shift
Typically 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, some evenings may be required
Work Schedule/Hours/Days
Typically Monday-Friday, some weekends may be required
Posting Details
TRIO SSS is a federally funded program dedicated to providing academic, financial, career, and personal support services to increase the retention and graduation of first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities at SCSU. The university recently secured a 5 year TRIO grant award. Applicants with similar backgrounds and/ or who have overcome their own challenges to earn a college degree are encouraged to apply.
This is a 5 year US Department of Education Grant that is typically renewable and is continued upon successfully reapplying. This Grant is currently approved through 8/31/2025. However the Grant funding can be ended early by the US Department of Education.
Learn more about Trio Student Support Services here.
The successful candidate will share St. Cloud State's commitment to our mission, and in particular, the value we place in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as outlined in SCSU's It's Time strategic framework. Notably, we uphold the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion and engage in intentional actions to address systemic inequities throughout the university and surrounding environment. DEI values, practices, and strategies are embedded into the fabric of our institution and campus community, and they align with the priorities expressed in the Minnesota State system's Equity 2030 initiative. SCSU expects all of its employees to help advance these practices and to contribute to the development of an anti-racist, inclusive community.
*Employment for this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement for the Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUAASF) which can be found here.
Salary Minimum
$45,352
Salary Maximum
$91,288
Salary Type
Annual
Bargaining Unit/Plan
211, MSUAASF
Job Description
TRIO is a federally funded program providing support services to students who are first-generation, low income, and/or students with a disability. The TRIO Academic Advisor is responsible for recruiting and providing academic advising, career advising, financial advising and personal development opportunities to TRIO-eligible students. The Advisor coordinates the workshops offered by Student Support Services (SSS) and has primary responsibility for delivering services of SSS programming and for identifying opportunities for continual improvement. Additionally, the Advisor serves as the transition coordinator for all SSS students. The Advisor may teach Improving Reading and Study Skills and/or Orientation for SSS participants.
Responsibilities
Student Advising

• Assess student eligibility for the TRIO Student Support Services program.
• Encourage, support and/or initiate new participant applications.
• Responsible for assessing each assigned student to identify the barriers and obstacles which may impact college retention, graduation and professional readiness.
• Use assessment tools, transcripts and personal needs assessments utilized to determine essentials and best course of action to take with students to ensure academic and personal success.
• Develop an Individual Success Plan (ISP) for each approved student. Advisor will meet regularly to review and suggest services and activities. Services and activities must be customized and offered in a number of different modalities and technologies to meet each student's needs.

Workshop and Course Coordination

• Develop and coordinate educational workshops for TRIO-eligible students on topics such as academic support, career explorations, and financial aid literacy, as specified in the SSS grant.
• Organize workshops on other topics to targeted subgroups based on an identified need.
• Collaborate on the development of programming for TRIO Learning Communities for students in specific majors.
• May be required to teach improving Reading and Study Skills and/or Orientation for SSS participants.

Transitions Coordination

• Meet annual recruiting goals of the department as assigned by the Director.
• Develop campus partnerships within colleges, departments, clubs, and organizations to promote and identify students eligible for TRIO SSS.
• Facilitate transition of approved incoming SSS students to SCSU.
• Facilitate actions and events that encourages SSS students consider graduate and professional schools by providing workshops, campus visits and resources on how to select, apply for, and finance post-graduate education.
• Conduct welcome interviews with SSS participants and exit interviews with SSS students leaving SCSU.

Program Evaluation and Assessment

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and oversight of a comprehensive system of SSS program evaluation and assessment.
• Support the director in conducting periodic reviews and departmental self-study of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS)Self-Assessment for TRIO and other educational opportunity programs to enhance future program development and to ensure that the SSS program is consistent with SCSU's mission, vision, and goals.
• Support the coordination of the annual evaluation of program by participating students and other stakeholders.

Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of SCSU
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or a related field from an accredited college/university.
• At least two years experience as an Academic Advisor in a higher education setting and a demonstrated knowledge of academic advising principles, student development theory and high impact retention strategies.
• Experience successfully delivering workshops or training to a group of attendees with a focused outcome.
• Communication skills (interpersonal, written & verbal) to effectively communicate program services and benefits.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, Counseling, Coaching, or related field.
• Professional higher education experience advising students with issues similar to those faced by SSS participants.
• Experience that demonstrates a working knowledge of academic advising principles, student development theory and high impact retention strategies.
• Experience working with college-aged students in any of the following areas: strategies for academic success, tutoring/mentoring, first year experiences, financial literacy, financial aid, scholarships, learning communities, service learning, professional development, social/cultural activities, cultural competency, leadership development.
• Experience evaluating transcripts and recommending coursework.
• Experience advising students from underrepresented populations.

Other Requirements
About
Founded in 1869, St. Cloud State is an award-winning regional public university and proud member of the Minnesota State Universities & Colleges system. The 100-acre campus is about an hour northwest of Minneapolis and St. Paul, along the oak-crowned west bank of the Mississippi River. St. Cloud State students prepare for life, work and citizenship by exploring the world around them and making it better. St. Cloud State employees value active and applied learning, community engagement, sustainability, and global and cultural understanding. These commitments complement more than 200 majors, minors and pre-professional programs, 60 graduate programs and 250 student clubs and organizations. St. Cloud State began as a normal school in 1869 and became St. Cloud State Teachers College in 1921. Bachelor's degrees were first offered in 1925. Master's degrees debuted in 1957. In 1975, the institution became St. Cloud State University. In recent years, the University added applied doctoral programs in Higher Education Administration and Educational Administration and Leadership. A diverse mix of students from Midwestern towns and U.S. metropolitan areas are learning alongside more than 1,000 international students from about 80 nations.
Additional information on St. Cloud State University can be found here
Benefits Info
Why Work For Us:
GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plan, tax-deferred compensation, generous vacation and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
24-00017
Number of Vacancies
1
Re-posting
Yes
Desired Start Date
01/30/2024
Position End Date (if temporary)
08/31/2025
Open Date
12/12/2023
Close Date
01/10/2024
Open Until Filled
Yes
Accept Applications
Yes
Special Instructions Summary
Posting Contact
Sadam Omar, Search Committee Chair TRIO/Student Support Services Director Phone: 320-308-1625 E-mail: trio@stcloudstate.edu
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
St. Cloud State University is committed to excellence and actively supports cultural diversity. To promote this endeavor, we invite individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply, including minorities, women, LGBT, persons with disabilities and veterans. St. Cloud State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regards to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or status as a U.S. veteran. The Interim Title IX coordinator at St. Cloud State University is Chocoletta Simpson. For additional information, contact the Office of Institutional Equity & Access, (320) 308-5123, Admin. Services Bldg. Rm 121