SS Pro 3-Academic Advising

Position Overview

The EPSY Department Advisor for the Special Education Programs provides full-range academic advising services to undergraduate Special Education students. The Advisor role will provide direct, holistic academic advising and support to undergraduate students each semester who come from a variety of backgrounds and identities and are pursuing a special education degree within CEHD via an apprenticeship pathway.

The Advisor will work hand-in-hand with the Recruiter and Navigator to support each partnering campus (Duluth, Morris, and Twin Cities) to work with candidates to ensure they feel prepared to be successful meeting program expectations. The advisor will guide candidates through the creation of personalized educational plans and facilitate connections to UMN and LEA resources that support their unique values, strengths, interests and identities. They will also help candidates navigate policies, procedures, and the state licensure process with the support of the Navigator and the UMN's OTE.

This position makes significant contributions toward program development and operations through collaboration with various faculty and staff. The incumbent is expected to be a continuous change agent, having the expertise to recommend and implement solutions and best practices for complex programs. Working both independently and with a team is essential to creating a positive and seamless student experience. This Adviser in the Department of EPSY will be knowledgeable and passionate about supporting access and equity for students from marginalized groups. They will hold an understanding of how the Department's mission informs their own duties and efforts.

The EPSY advisor emphasizes a strong responsibility to diversity, equity, and inclusivity within the context of student progress and development. We seek professionals who understand and will contribute to our program's vision and mission such that they:

• Communicate well and develop effective relationships with students and colleagues
• Expertly advocate for students
• Are committed to working together to solve problems
• Remain flexible in responding to change and changing situations
• Integrate equity-minded awareness into their work
  

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. This position is hybrid with some on campus days required.

Job Responsibilities

Direct Service Advising (70%)

• Using a holistic advising model, guide, challenge and support undergraduate students majoring in Special Education, through direct advising and educational planning that promotes timely degree progress.
• Respond to and advise prospective Special Education major students, in partnership with CEHD Student Services
• Deliver equity-minded and culturally relevant advising and support to students, through drop-in hours, individual student appointments, email, texting and phone.
• Understand liberal education and program curriculum and determine its possibilities within the context of the strengths, interests, and needs of the individual student.
• Understand and communicate the interconnectedness of campus resources to individual students to support retention and an engaged student experience.
• Interpret, uphold, and communicate policies established by the University of Minnesota to students, and influence how decisions are made using equity-minded thinking in application of policy.
• Review petitions, exceptions, and waivers, as submitted by student, Student Services, or other colleagues.
• Advise potential students, review applications and make admissions decisions on proposals.
• Keep accurate, up-to-date advising notes and student information as appropriate.
• Use APAS, PeopleSoft, APLUS, Grad Planner, and other databases to complete advising responsibilities and keep accurate, up-to-date advising notes
• Initiate regular updating and/or development of informational advising materials to incorporate new initiatives, program changes, and/or to better meet student needs
• Advise Special Education students as needed using appropriate advising practices/theories, particularly those related to equity and diversity, and empower students to access University resources as needed (financial aid, student insurance, health & wellness, Disability Resource Center, etc.)
• Review course registration for Special Education students each semester to ensure appropriate course/section selections
• Monitor undergraduate student records to verify sufficient progress toward degree and intervene, advise, and recommend alternative solutions to barriers and difficulties if necessary; assist students with Leave of Absence process when needed
• Monitor undergraduate Special Education students on professional dispositions and intervene, advise, and recommend alternative solutions to barriers and difficulties if necessary
• Complete final APAS check for students finishing the undergraduate and graduate/M.Ed. program to verify licensure requirements; triage questions from students regarding licensing process
• Work with students who are missing undergraduate licensing requirements; develop a plan for completion in consultation with faculty
• Coordinate petition process for undergraduate and graduate/M.Ed. students (transfer credits, time limit extension requests, etc.), including matching licensure standards from potential transfer courses.
• Ensure the candidate's well-being is being taken care of during the apprenticeship program.

Program Development and Management (20%)

• Partner with the Leads of ABS and ECSE Undergraduate Studies to analyze and summarize data to understand trends and make recommendations for improvement of advising practices.
• Support the creation and implementation of additional workshops/resources for students in Special Education majors.
• Support the Coordinator of ESPY Undergraduate Studies & Advising in the identification and resolution of enrollment management issues and development of tracking mechanisms to reduce barriers.
• Provide consultation to instructors on student support and effective outreach strategies to promote student progress and success.
• Develop and present Applied Experience related content to students in the Profession and Practice course, and collaborate with course instructors to ensure content is integrated effectively into the course schedule.
• Stay abreast of current trends and philosophies in academic advising, engage in scholarly or creative activities in the areas of advising, academic progress, curricular materials development, and service delivery.

Outreach and Networking in Support of Service (10%)

• Coordinate and lead new student orientation.
• Organize and communicate timely outreach to students from a variety of backgrounds about academic progress, registration and sequencing requirements, course offerings, and other resources available to them in support of academic and personal goals.
• Develop and maintain promotional materials and external communications in consultation with the Marketing & Communications team to ensure compliance, continuity with other Departmental and Collegiate communication, and to ensure effective communication of academic offerings and support services.
• Utilize and build relationships and networks that make a large university manageable and navigable for all students to ensure a student's ability to make sufficient progress and feel a sense of belonging.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus four (4) years of relevant professional experience, or a Master's degree with two (2) years of related professional experience
• Prior experience in an advising position within an education setting
• Evidence of effective communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to skillfully apply advising technique and theory to work with students
• Experience working on issues of equity, access, and student support related to markers of diversity including, but not limited to race, social class, gender, language, disability, deafness and sexuality
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with, support, and advocate for those with different backgrounds and identities
• Ability to travel as needed to support the system wide effort of this project
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct advising service experience within the University of Minnesota
• At least 3 years of experience providing college-level academic advising including applicable experience related to the specific advising position
• Experience in an education setting developing, planning, and implementing support and advising activities for a diverse student body
• Demonstrated ability to integrate social justice passions and practices into student services work
• Background in social work, counseling or education
• Knowledge or experience with Special Education and Deaf/Hard of Hearing populations and/or American Sign Language
• Experience working with interpreters and/or willingness to learn

NXT Gen Teach Overview
The NXTGEN Teach program seeks to address long-standing state needs, position the University of Minnesota as a ready partner for school districts statewide seeking to access state funding for teacher preparation, and create new tuition generating pathways, all while creating a model that may be applied to other areas of teacher licensure in the future.

Department Overview
The Department of Educational Psychology provides training in the cognitive, emotional, and social learning processes that underlie education and human development across the lifespan, including: the psychological foundations of education, quantitative methods in education, the practice and science of counseling psychology, school psychology, and special education. Faculty and students provide leadership and consultation to the state, nation, and international community. The department's scholarship and teaching enhance professional practice in schools and universities, community mental health agencies, business and industrial organizations, early childhood programs, and government agencies. For more information, see our webpage http://www.cehd.umn.edu/edpsych/.

College Overview
The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The salary for this position is $55,000-$65,000. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment:100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).