Role:
The Academic Advisor is a full-time, 12-month, non-teaching, non-tenure track, on-campus position that proactively enhances the student experience by providing focused commitment to student success. This position reports to the Director of Advising and works in coordination with the admissions office, Office of the Registrar, Financial Aid office, and Garden City Community College staff and faculty to ensure students progress towards
degree and academic goals.

This position advises new and current students enrolled at GCCC regarding information, procedures, and academic requirements of a specific program or major, evaluates students specific academic situations, and works with students to set reasonable academic goals aimed at timely completion of their chosen degree programs. The Advisor will utilize GCCC systems to prepare for advising students and will interact with students through the use of various technologies and in person meetings.

The Academic Advisor will promote a philosophy of individual responsibility to encourage students to take ownership of their academic and social pursuits. The advisor will create an environment for all students which fosters and supports retention and leads students to a timely graduation. This position requires daytime, evening, and weekend hours and a willingness to work extended hours when necessary.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Acts as academic advisor for new and current GCCC students and maintains current notes on all meetings and appointments with students within GCCC systems 
• Prepares academic plans and advises students on their academic program and goals
• Makes referrals to institutional and community resources when appropriate.
• Provides academic advising, transfer evaluation review, course selection and registration assistance
• Identifies options for student to satisfy specific degree requirements; evaluates and makes recommendations on desirable or needed adjustments to students academic program.
• Assists student as needed in the completion of enrollments, adds, drops, etc.
• Maintains student records and monitors academic progress and performance of advisees
• Accesses and utilizes GCCC technology for student support and communication with students, instructors, and student support team
• Maintains professional relationships with admissions representatives, financial aid counselors, faculty, and other support staff
• Prepares reports, including statistical summaries of advising contacts or enrollment information
• Assists with and participates in all orientation, advising, and enrollment days
• Serves as resource to faculty, staff, and all students
• Participates in professional development and continuing education opportunities
• Proactively contacts and is available for new students or student advisees on a regular basis.
  Office hours should be posted on the office door and kept current in scheduling systems
• Monitors academic progress of each student assigned to them. With the aid of the early alert
  system, analyzes progress reports from faculty; promotes satisfactory academic progress towards
  degree completion.
• Be knowledgeable about aspects of the admissions process for new students, including admission policies and procedures, financial aid, costs, placement exams, registrations procedures, student housing, etc.
• Other related duties as assigned

Performance Measurements:
1. To provide excellent customer service. Respond to requests in a timely and professional manner.
2. To maintain confidentiality in the handling of all college information.
3. To maintain a friendly, professional work environment and business-like appearance.
4. To utilize enrollment and retention tools.

Knowledge and Skills:

Experience: Applicants with a background in education or counseling are encouraged to apply. Preferred: A minimum of two years of documents experience as a professional advisor in higher education. Demonstrated experience in developmental advising (or equivalent experience) at an accredited institution.

Education: Required: Associate's degree. Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, or appropriate academic discipline.

Interpersonal Skills: A significant level of trust and diplomacy is required, in addition to normal courtesy and tact. Work involves extensive personal contact with others and/or can be of a personal or sensitive nature. Work may involve motivating or influencing others. Outside contacts become important and fostering sound relationships becomes necessary and often requires the ability to influence others.

Other Skills: Strong work ethic; excellent interpersonal skills; proven leadership experience; exemplary written and verbal communication skills; able to work independently and with a team; strong critical thinking skills; exceptional listening skills; sense of humor, able to manage multiple tasks at once; organized and detail oriented. Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of diverse constituents including students, parents, faculty, and administrators. Proficiency with the use of technology such as the Internet, Email and MS Office Suite is essential to this position.

Physical Requirements:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Typically, theemployee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Work Environment: Regular exposure to favorable conditions such as those found in a normal office.