Student Success Advisor

The Point Loma Nazarene University community is, and intends to be, a decidedly Christian community, as exhibited by our shared beliefs, corporate practices, and Christlike character.

JOB SUMMARY

Provide seamless student support services and mentoring to adult, graduate, and professional students for the purpose of promoting student success and program completion.

JOB STATUS

Time:

Full time

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RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Student Success Specialist is a student-centered position that provides students with the knowledge, tools, and resources to be successful in college. This position reports directly to the Director of Graduate and Professional Student Services.
• Serve as point of contact for all incoming service-related inquiries via phone, walk in and electronic communication avenues and actively seek solutions for student-focused issues.
• Facilitate the successful enrollment of students and provide superior customer service from admission to graduation and beyond.
• Advise students regarding such needs as degree selection, registration, payment options, financial aid, scholarship applications, loan adjustments, smart borrowing, financial holds, academic probation, leave of absence, graduation, and loan repayment options.
• Assist students in exploring education, career goals, and personal enrichment, and mentor students in the skills needed to be successful in college.
• Work with students regarding their academic concerns and facilitate access to internal and external resources to address their need.
• Maintain close collaboration with campus units to ensure accurate counseling, resolve student issues, and communicate and receive feedback.
• Interpret federal and state regulations as well as university policies and procedures and communicate detailed information to students in a clear and concise manner.
• Understand degree and certificate options, as well as program progression expectations in order to provide transactional academic advising to students.
• Monitor student pace and progression and provide support for tracking student persistence and retention rates.
• Assist with the coordination, development, and implementation of appropriate high-engagement student success strategies and supporting technologies.
• Represent and advocate on behalf of students throughout the university community.
• Perform other duties and/or projects as assigned by the Director of Graduate and Professional Student Services
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Knowledge: This position requires a broad knowledge of college level services, including financial aid, registration and retention best practices and an understanding of current national issues in higher education including the value of and barriers to a college education. Must maintain current knowledge of federal and state legislation, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Skills: This position requires well-developed communication and organizational skills and the interpersonal relationship skills appropriate to regular and intensive interaction with diverse audiences, populations and individuals.
• Abilities: The ability to interact and work effectively and harmoniously with university staff, faculty, and students as well as with diverse off-campus communities is essential. Adept at using technological tools to efficiently query and provide information, manage data, generate reports, and collaborate with others.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to exercise professional judgment relating to unusual circumstances.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team and assume responsibility for problem-solving.
• A strong commitment to excellence.
• Commitment to continuing education and lifelong learning.
• Passionate about providing quality service to the campus community.
• A goal-oriented individual who is self-motivated, diligent, and solution-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Practices attentive and active listening, has the patience to hear people out, and can accurately restate the opinions of others even when he/she disagrees.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Personally committed to continuous self-improvement, understanding that different situations call for different skills and approaches, and working to deploy strengths and offset weaknesses or limits.
• A flexible working style and strong work ethic are essential given the collaborative, dedicated, and creative spirit of the department.
• Understanding of and commitment to the spiritual mission of the university.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Proficient in Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other common software packages; Google Apps for Education, PowerFAIDS, and Jenzabar CX knowledge preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be:
Regularly required to sit at a computer desk and use a computer keyboard and mouse without discomfort
Regularly required to see a computer screen without difficulty. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus
Regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk; and hear
Regularly required to stand and reach with hands and arms
Occasionally required to walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

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Point Loma Nazarene University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide quality educational and employment opportunities, PLNU actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education.