Academic Adviser and Retention Coach

About the position

The Academic Adviser and Retention Coach at Mt. Hood Community College is responsible for providing empathetic and effective coaching to students as they develop educational plans that align with their academic and life goals. This role involves guiding students through course selection, financial aid processes, and institutional requirements, while also focusing on student retention and success. The adviser will meet with students both virtually and in-person, offering support and resources to help them navigate their educational journey.

Responsibilities

• Assists students in identifying and clarifying their academic and career goals, and tracks student progress.
• Collects and analyzes reports to ensure outreach to high-need students and timely coaching and support.
• Assists students with the development of long-range education plans, selection of appropriate courses, and interpretation of institutional requirements.
• Tracks and assesses progress toward established career and life goals; evaluates alternatives and consequences of decisions.
• Assists students with enrollment, financial aid, academic and probation/suspension status, and supports strategies focused on student retention and persistence.
• Facilitates and develops various aspects of new student orientations to assist in the development of decision-making skills, awareness of educational resources, and reinforcement of self-direction in educational planning.
• Develops and distributes appropriate documents for staff and current and prospective students.
• Serves as a resource to faculty, administration, and staff in developing and implementing a seamless approach to advising practices, retention, and student success.
• Interprets and makes recommendations around institutional policies and procedures to assist students in making educational and career decisions.
• Provides personalized assessment of participants' barriers to support them in successfully completing educational goals, and aids in overcoming or minimizing those barriers when possible.
• Maintains training plans, and provides advising training for selected faculty, staff, and part-time advisers.
• Tracks student progress and effectiveness of advising supports.
• Works to understand and implement strategies and 'best practices' for advising, retention, and student development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience as an academic adviser in higher education.
• Experience successfully supporting student navigation of financial aid processes such as maximum timeframe appeals (MTA), satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals, and corresponding term-by-term education planning documentation.
• Knowledge of and ability to use word processing, database, presentation, spreadsheet, and email applications proficiently.
• Experience working with the diverse backgrounds of the college's community, students, and employees; demonstrated commitment to promoting access and diversity.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in education or related field.
• Experience providing transfer academic advising.
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish, Russian, or Vietnamese.

Benefits

• Full-time position with a competitive salary range of $53,124 - $73,538 per year.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.