Academic Advisor

Full-time - 40 hours - Flexible schedule required to meet department needs, including day, some evenings and Saturdays will be required.

Hiring two Academic Advisors

As an academic advisor at McHenry County College, you will provide our students with essential guidance, support, and encouragement. Advising is a process which an advisor and advisee enter a positive and dynamic partnership respectful of the student's concerns, strengths, and dreams. This partnership aims to enhance the student's self-awareness and goal fulfillment, while also helping the student to persist in college and earn a degree. An academic advisor considers the mission, vision, and goals for MCC, while embodying the values of inspiration, connectedness, diversity, thoughtfulness, community, excellence, passion, and stewardship.

Academic Advisors empower students in their ability to explore their educational opportunities, set and establish goals, and achieve academic success. Advisors provide educational planning for students by developing an academic plan and providing academic and career advising that meets the needs of the student in a manner that demonstrates commitment to the college mission and our diverse student population. Collaborate with Academic and Student Affairs departments throughout the college to assist students. Support college enrollment efforts through delivering new student advising through Orientation programming and continued student advising.

· Development of appropriate education plans to establish academic and career goals and advise students on selection of courses
· Advise a specialty student area (athletics, students with disabilities, allied health, student veterans, etc.)
· Advise students individually and in group sessions using prescriptive, developmental, and intrusive relationships to monitor student progress toward established educational goals
· Assist with the facilitation of new student orientation programming by presenting college information and advising students
· Help students gain or improve necessary skills for academic success including goal setting, development of study skills, and career/major planning
· Maintain documentation in student records that is objective, complete, and accurate
· Train and assist students with myMCC, self-service and student planning tools to effectively navigate and utilize online resources for registration and course planning
· Proactively monitor at-risk students to identify opportunities to develop and improve academic success
· Assess students in crisis and assess the need to refer to the appropriate college resources
· Evaluate transfer credits for course waivers
· Conduct outreach to students (phone calls, emails, advising on wheels, drop-in advising) to support the college's retention efforts
· Assist in providing training on advising techniques and theory to new Academic Advisors, College Success Coaches and other college staff
· Work in partnership with faculty and/or College Success Coaches to problem solve issues and ensure students are on track for success
· Participate in development and presentation of seminars, workshops and college events
· Contribute to the assessment of techniques used within the advising team regarding services provided and propose changes to the delivery of advising services to the Coordinator of Academic Advising and/or Dean of Enrollment Services in an effort of continuous improvement
· Participate in college meetings and committees as assigned
· Work collaboratively with others (e.g. colleagues, stakeholders, vendors) to accomplish functions and responsibilities
· Assume additional duties as assigned by immediate supervisor

· Experience in serving diverse student populations
· One-year academic advising or student support services experience; or Graduate level coursework in College Student Personnel, Higher Education, Advising or related field; or hold an Academic Advising Graduate Certificate
· Start or obtain a Graduate Academic Advisor Certification within three years of hire if less than 2 (two) years of Academic Advising experience, or no Master's degree

· Master's degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education, Advising, or related field
· Graduate certification as an Academic Advisor
· One year advising experience
· Bilingual; Spanish speaking and writing skills
· One-year experience working within a higher education setting

· Ability to demonstrate understanding of student development theory and practice
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
· Ability to learn technological applications
· Sensitivity to students whose cultural and educational experiences differ from his/her own
· Ability to build relationships through empathetic listening, motivation and support in order to create a respective and inclusive environment for all students
· Ability to work under pressure with composure
· Willingness to share responsibility for improving work relations as a collaborative team member
· Demonstrate commitment to advising profession through practice and continued acquisition of advising skills and knowledge
· Ability to follow leadership and college-wide procedures
· Ability to work with highly detailed information and disseminate information to groups and individuals
· Ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple tasks, organize and prioritize tasks
· Willingness to share knowledge, learn from mistakes, accept personal responsibility, and develop multiple competencies
· Ability to remain flexible and handle vague or changing information
· Ability to work in a high-quality, focused service environment in a professional manner with excellent organizational and customer service skills
· Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of institution's programs, academic requirements, policies, procedures, and support services
· Demonstrate excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills
· Ability to sit and communicate orally, for extended periods of time
· Ability to safely handle heavy books, packages, and book trucks up to 20 pounds unassisted
· Commitment and respect for diversity and MCC Behaviors of Excellence
· Commitment to the College mission and goals
· Ability to perform all of the essential functions, skills, and specifications of the position