Online Student Advisor

Job Title: Online Student Advisor

Division: Enrollment and Marketing

Evaluation Group: Staff

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Director, Online and Post Traditional Affairs

Positions Supervised: N/A

Review of applications will begin on April 22nd and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for the successful candidate is May 23rd.

The online student advisor is responsible for advising online students on the specifics of a Lindenwood University degree. This role provides guidance for degree plans, alternate credit, and professional career options as well as continued educational studies. The online student advisor serves as concierge and mentor, helping students overcome challenges throughout their academic journey.
 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Responsibilities and Execution

• Assists with new student onboarding by proactively reaching out to students to help them acclimate to a virtual learning environment 
• Utilizes the Intrusive Advising model to prevent issues, such as academic barriers, life challenges, time management, and study skills, through frequent interaction by phone, email, text messaging, and video meetings
• Coaches and inspires students from enrollment through completion, advising them on educational plans and assisting them with the registration process
• Advises and acts as a liaison during administrative processes, such as registration, degree planning, payment and financial aid processes, and engaged learning opportunities
• Remains current on University policies and advising procedures for all of Lindenwood’s online degree programs
• Consults with students each term to plan for future term enrollment and to review/revise long-range academic program schedules
• Monitors student schedules and academic performance and apprises appropriate program personnel on progress
• Serves as first point of contact, referring students to institutional resources when academic, behavioral, attendance, or other problems require intervention; directs students towards self-help resources and services as needed
• Assists students in completing academic and Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals as necessary
• Participates in program assessment process and recommends actions for improvement based on data, student success, and persistence
• Supports student needs with sound equity and inclusion practices for student success

Service Excellence

• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
• Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values
• Conducts regular, high volume communication with students about enrollment, academic progress, and problem resolution
• Works as a liaison to other departments across the University
• Provides excellent advising services and student support
• Interprets and provides rationale for institutional policies, procedures, and requirements

Communication, Teamwork, and Collaboration

• Partners with faculty mentors and advisors to support students’ program progression; consults regularly with faculty regarding progress
• Develops and maintains trustworthy student relationships throughout students’ time at Lindenwood and beyond
• Collaborates and participates in virtual recruitment events/activities with Admissions
• Supports and participates in re-entry initiatives to encourage persistence to completion

Job may require other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree preferred
• Prior advising and/or higher education experience preferred
• Prior sales experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – May be representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this job competently.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Knowledge of and commitment to upholding federal regulations related to Title IV funds, tuition assistance, and billing
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to effectively preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Ability to quickly form rapport with both students and co-workers
• Knowledge of student advising processes and applicable course catalogs
• Computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, and Student Information System (SIS)
• Knowledge of and/or willingness to learn and use process improvement methodologies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions. Please click here to view Lindenwood University’s flexible work designation descriptions.

• Evening and weekend work possible
• Considerable phone and computer time, utilizing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) system
• Designated, quiet, distraction-free workspace with reliable, high-speed internet and camera for video calls
• Fully Remote

Physical Abilities – The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to work effectively at a computer for up to eight hours daily
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift/carry items commonly found in an office setting including, but not limited to, documents, laptops, etc.
• Ability to use repetitive wrist, hand, and finger movements to type regularly
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function