Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Michigan State University
United States

Position Summary

The Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies (APUE) seeks five to eight advisors that will support undergraduate student success initiatives by operationalizing MSU’s stated beliefs that every student it admits has the capacity to learn, thrive, and graduate and that it is MSU’s responsibility to provide an inclusive, equitable curriculum and environment with the academic, social, wellness, and financial support our students need to persist in college and succeed after graduation. As part of MSU’s Strategic Plan for Student Success, we envision a University Advising community that is appropriately structured and adequately resourced to equitably meet the diversity of our students’ needs, to help students develop their purposes and passions, to support the migration of students between majors/minors and colleges at MSU, and to meet MSU’s strategic goal of an 86% graduation rate with no opportunity gaps by 2030. 

The persons in these advising positions will be assisting students with course planning, understanding academic requirements and interpreting the curriculum, and navigating the institution, or transfer to institution, through one on one and group advising. Academic advisors at MSU play an integral role in helping guide students along an intentional pathway of exploration of their interests, purpose, and passions in alignment with academic interest areas at MSU. Academic advisors in this role assist academic departments/units with verbal or written academic plans, advisement interpretation of academic plans, and implementation of university policies and procedures in the areas of student enrollment and evaluation. They also participate in data collection and analysis. Academic advisors use digital systems (e.g., Electronic Student Academic Folder (ESAF), Campus Solutions, Degree Navigator, SIS) to initiate and facilitate advising interactions, maintain confidential records, enter information about students, and respond to referrals from others to support student success and creates data driven initiatives to support student success.  Academic advisors participate in planning and implementing MSU Neighborhoods-based and campus-wide initiatives to promote student success. They also have the option to co-facilitate a section of an undergraduate student success seminar, as needed and agreed upon with their supervisor.

The goal of Exploratory Advising, specifically, is to support undergraduate students in their pursuit of knowledge and ongoing development of their social, cultural, and intellectual abilities. Exploratory advisors use the student success model (academic achievement, socio-emotional engagement, and institutional navigation) in the advising practice. Key components of exploratory advising include: 

• Intensive, intrusive professional advising, coaching, and peer mentoring throughout students’ tenure at MSU, designed to address academic, career planning, and socio-emotional aspects of the college experience.
• Academic, socio-emotional, and career-oriented programming that supports student success by developing a sense of belonging.
• Specialized academic support and tutorial services
• High impact learning experiences such as study abroad, mentoring, internships, and first-year seminars.

Financial literacy, graduate school preparation, and other relevant services      

The Academic Advisor will provide comprehensive individual advising and coaching focusing on both the academic and social/development of exploratory students. In addition, they will develop and provide support for programming aspects of the program. They should have a strong background in academic advising or similar 1-on-1 support with students, and a proven commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

Primary Duties:            

Advising (75%)

• Advise students on both academic and social needs; use intrusive and proactive advising techniques
• Participate in academic events and programs
• Work closely with advisors across campus ensuring successful transition of students from high school to MSU, and transfer students to MSU, and to ensure continued success throughout a student scholar’s academic experience
• Provide 1-on-1 advisement for students, including but not limited to course planning and registration, early warning outreach, major and career exploration, campus and local referrals, campaigns and case management, institutional navigation, academic orientation, data collection and analysis, and education abroad.
• Understand, interpret, and implement academic policies and procedures at the university.
• Interact effectively with colleagues and partners as well as academic and student affairs professionals in the academic colleges and Enrollment Services
• Participate in campus advising community and participate in relevant meetings/trainings with academic units.
• Use digital systems (e.g., Electronic Student Academic Folder, Degree Navigator, Campus Solutions-Student Information System, Blumen), to initiate and facilitate advising interactions, maintain confidential records, enter information about students, and respond to referrals from others.

 Other (10%)

• May provide support for a team of undergraduate peer coaches to support academic advising and coaching efforts for program participants.
• Assist in planning and implementing student support programming such as workshops and community building events.
• Support New Student Orientation advising, and programming as needed.
• Serve as a member of the university advising community and support advising related programs, events, and committees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Teaching (10%)

• May teach/co-teach 1st-year seminar (e.g., UGS 110-1 credit) as requested and/or needed and with supervisor approval

Outreach (5%)

• Assist with recruiting and outreach presentations as needed.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -student affairs, K-12 education or related field

Minimum Requirements

Master’s degree in student affairs, K-12 education, or another related field. Experience with student support technology systems; experience in higher education, preferably in the areas of advising and/or academic development for underserved students; strong communication skills and student-centered approach.

• Proven commitment to undergraduate student success
• Excellent communication skills; including an ability to work diplomatically and effectively with campus partners
• Demonstrated ability to work with students and colleagues from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to access, understand, and interpret data from multiple sources to facilitate advising interactions and promote student success through pro-active and innovative advising practices.
• Ability to use data to evaluate individual and group efforts to promote student success through academic advising
• Computer literacy including Microsoft Office

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have experience in academic advising within a college or university setting; knowledge of undergraduate student success concepts, theories and/or practice; and experience teaching, advising, leading, and/or mentoring diverse undergraduate students. Strong skills in documentation, tracking, and data compliance. Knowledge of academic advising/student information technology platforms. This position requires occasional evenings and weekends.

• Experience with online student success platforms
• Teaching experience with secondary or post-secondary students
• One to three years of advising or related experience
• Experience with data collection and visualization
• Proficiency with cloud-based office software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Apps)
• Experience implementing strategic initiatives to support the academic success of minoritized populations

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter, CV and DEI Statement to be sent to the attention of Committee Chair

Together-we-will Statement

Review of Applications Begins On

05/31/2022

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

undergrad.msu.edu

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.