Brief Job Overview/Summary

Under the direction of the Dean of the William T. Daly School of General Studies, the Director of the Center for Academic Advising will fulfill all the responsibilities and expectations of Stockton staff as outlined in the University’s Policies and Procedures on Staff Evaluation. Specifically, they will serve in the following ways at Stockton:

Descriptions of Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Provide leadership and supervision in the overall operation of the academic advising program and the Center for Academic Advising, including, but not limited to the following areas:

Center for Academic Advising vision, strategic planning, and implementation

• Develop and lead Center vision and strategic plan aligned with Stockton’s Strategic Plan and grounded in NACADA standards and student development theory, supporting retention, persistence, and completion.
• Lead the Center through a comprehensive review of its advising models and practices. Establish goals, priorities and best practices and updates as necessary. Identify areas to automate or streamline administrative workflows while prioritizing more personalized student interactions.
• Conduct continual reviews of advances in advising techniques, philosophies, and Stockton student data, implementing modifications and advancements as appropriate. Prepare annual assessment report for leadership and stakeholders.
• Oversee development and implementation of EAB Navigate in support of student success initiatives. Provide information on best practices and seek input from EAB consultants, EAB Implementation Council members, EAB Leadership Team members, and other internal or external experts to ensure efficient and effective practices.
• Support Stockton University’s diversity commitment and strong student-centered vision and mission.

Center Leadership and collaboration

• Guide and support advising staff and faculty preceptors in equitable and inclusive advising practices for student success. Provide advising and training to students, faculty, and staff regarding academic progress and completion
• Develop and oversee placement testing and provide support on admission, degree progress, and graduation processes
• Collaborate closely with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, Global Engagement, the Registrar's Office, Financial Aid, faculty, and school/university leadership to support a seamless student experience from admission through graduation
• Lead the advising team in administrating institutional policies and communicating changes in curricula, placement, and other relevant policies and procedures
• Cultivate a culture of student-centered service with distinction in all advisement practices
• Collaborate with external partners including dual-credit high school programs, community colleges, and NJ Transfer to articulate academic pathways for Stockton degree completion

Management of Center

• Manage Center budget to meet institutional goals through alignment of priorities and resource allocation
• Represent the Center on various committees, at orientation events, and other university functions, including evening and weekend events
• Ensure advising practices and policies comply with program accreditation requirements, federal and state laws, and University policy, guidelines, and directives
• Supervise Center staff in compliance with collective bargaining agreements, institutional policy, and federal and state requirements
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of professional academic advisors
• Manage advisor caseloads and ensure equitable distribution of work
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and student-focused team culture
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing professional development for advising staff
• Provide training and support to ensure advisors are knowledgeable in policies, systems, and best practices

Other duties

• Strong leadership, planning, problem-solving, organizational, project management, and service support skills
  Deliver excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to deliver training and presentations to a wide range of constituents
• Commitment to student access and closing equity gaps
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of the William T. Daly School of General Studies
  

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution of Higher Education
• Minimum 5 years of experience providing academic advising to students at the postsecondary level
• Minimum 2 years of experience supervising and evaluating professional staff
• Experience with budget management and development
• Familiarity with NACADA Pillars of Academic Advising and/or membership with NACADA

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Higher Education Administration or an academic discipline
• Experience using historical data, success marker notification patterns, referral patterns, and other key metrics to improve student success outcomes
• Demonstrated success in overseeing support services and/or programs for diverse populations to improve retention and graduation rates by fostering engagement and closing equity gaps
• Experience leading cross-divisional teams to implement institutional change
• Proficiency in Ellucian Banner, EAB Navigate, and Degree Works or similar platforms
• Understanding of trauma-informed management principles and techniques
• Significant prior experience demonstrating commitment to student access and closing equity gaps
• Experience with advising in a Liberal Arts institution
• Experience with planning and conducting workshops for multiple stakeholders