Senior Advisor (Lyle School of Engineering)
Southern Methodist University Inc

Job Info

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Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. The University's entrepreneurial spirit lives in people from every academic discipline who see opportunities to create something new in the world - and work hard to bring their innovations to life. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for our students, faculty and alumni to make a global impact. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities - from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.

About the Department:

SMU's Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, founded in 1925, is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest. The school offers eight undergraduate and 29 graduate programs, including masters and doctoral degrees, through the departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; and Operations Research and Engineering Management. Lyle students participate in programs in the unique Deason Innovation Gym, providing the tools and space to work on immersion design projects and competitions to accelerate leadership development and the framework for innovation; the Hart Center for Engineering Leadership, helping students develop nontechnical skills to prepare them for leadership in diverse technical fields; the Caruth Institute for Engineering Education, developing new methodologies for incorporating engineering education into K-12 schools; and the Hunter and Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity, combining technological innovation with business expertise to address global poverty.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

This position provides academic advising and maintenance of academic records for declared undergraduate CS students
which begins from preparing summer new student orientation & continues through graduation. The position provides advising and records maintenance for declared CS UG students & assists/consults with faculty advisors as needed. The senior advisor position is key to providing one-on-one academic advising to undergraduate CS majors, retaining students throughout the program, and helping students achieve their academic goals as well as accelerated pathways. The position will also serve as the staff lead to support students interested in participating in study abroad opportunities by working with the SMU Study Abroad office. Candidates must possess strong interpersonal communication skills, strong written skills including proper usage of grammar and punctuation, as well as demonstrate the ability to produce error-free communication.

Essential Functions:

• ONE-ON-ONE ACADEMIC ADVISING - Provides one-on-one academic advising for declared CS UG students. Meets with each student at least 2 times per year. Works with individual students to develop robust plan to ensure degree completion and graduation. Supports and encourages students to explore additional majors/minors, internships/co-op, and/or study abroad opportunities.
  
• AARO (New Student Orientation) - Collaborates closely with the Undergraduate Advising and Student Records Office as needed to assist with the advising of incoming computer science pre-majors and transfer students during summer orientation (Mustang Start-up). These sessions are all virtual and occur in June, July, and August each summer.
  
• ACADEMIC PROGRESS TRACKING - Tracks advisees' progress toward degree completion of the University's Common Curriculum and the requirements for a CS degree. Reviews progress at each advising session with students and conducts a transcript review at the conclusion of the fall and spring terms. Reviews early and mid-term grade reports of advisees. Discusses grades and options with students.
  
• PAPERWORK AND STUDENT PROGRESS TRACKING - Collaborates closely with the Undergraduate Advising and Student Records Office to ensure that graduation degree plans for each student are completed. Ensures that graduating seniors participate in the senior exit survey with the department chair.
  
• FORMS AND PETITIONS - Assists students with forms and petitions - provides students with correct form(s), assists students with preparation of the form and supporting documentation, directs students to appropriate offices for signatures and answers students' follow-up questions as needed.
  
• OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED - Collects enrollment data each semester, assists with course planning, and makes suggestions for future course offerings. Prepares enrollment reports and runs queries to collect data for the CS department as needed. Assists the department coordinator with the schedule of classes, as needed. Assists with updates to the SMU catalog for computer science as needed. Special projects, as needed.
  
• Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required.
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree is required.

Three years' work experience is required. Prior experience with academic advising, academic records, or student services in higher education is preferred.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Internet applications is required.

PeopleSoft experience is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must have outstanding oral and written communication skills, including the proper use of spelling, grammar and punctuation, with the ability to produce error-free communications.

Candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies.

Must have outstanding organizational and time management skills. Must be able to manage concurrent projects.

Candidate must be a problem solver with strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Must be able to uphold institutional policies and procedures.

Candidate must have the ability to build trust, maintain confidentiality, and deal with sensitive information.

Must be highly accurate and attentive to details.

Candidate must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively with others.

To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit:

(1) A resume or CV,

(2) A cover letter that addresses the education and experience required and preferred for this position.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Carry/lift 25 lbs.
• Stand

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by February 15, 2023.

This position is open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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