Executive Director of Academic Advising

June 27, 2023
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Job Description

About this Opportunity

Ball State is seeking a highly motivated Executive Director of Academic Advising to join our high-performing team academic advisors housed within University College. This opportunity might be perfect for you if you are a dynamic leader that is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, passionate about changing lives through higher education, and love working with students to achieve their goals.
University College is a student-centered hub for centralized student success services and support. We define ourselves through a culture of care, curiosity, and a refusal to accept the status quo. As a central unit within Ball State, we are committed to ensuring every student has the resources and support necessary to achieve their fullest potential in higher education. Our commitment to ensuring increased student success requires that we reduce barriers to achievement while ensuring students are able to build a sense of belonging at the University. We are deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in everything we do. Our culture drives outcomes through outstanding service to our students and a commitment to continuous improvement.
The university offers excellent benefits, including health care and retirement plans, tuition assistance for employees and dependents, and generous time off with pay. The salary for this opportunity begins at $76,400 annually.
At Ball State University, Inclusiveness and freedom of expression are a part of our enduring values and inform all of our efforts. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Inclusive Excellence Plan to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.

Our Statement on Inclusiveness

At Ball State University, inclusiveness is one of the enduring values and informs all of our work. We define ‘inclusiveness’ as a commitment ‘to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.’ As such, this value incorporates a commitment to inclusive excellence and freedom of expression.

Benefits and Community: Ball State University offers an excellent benefits package for eligible positions. Click here to explore options.

Affordable Healthcare

Retirement

Tuition Remission (For eligible employees, their dependents, and spouse)

Paid Parental Leave

Professional Development

Live Near Your Work – If you are considering living near the Ball State area, please visit the following link to learn more about relocation and living in east central Indiana
https://www.bsu.edu/about/live-near-your-work

FLSA: Administrative Exemption

Hrs/Week: 40

Length of Assignment: Full-Time At-Will

Position Function

Reporting to the Associate Dean of University College, the Executive Director of Academic Advising will execute the strategic direction of a holistic and centralized professional academic advising unit. The position supervises 14 direct reports and coordinates equity-based programs and services with an emphasis on student care, persistence, and graduation. The Executive Director will execute a data informed model for innovative and consistent engagement of undergraduate students, including prioritization of high-support and other unique populations. The incumbent will maintain a culture of proactive advising and holistic student success for an advising unit comprised of more than forty professional academic advisors and advising leadership. The Executive Director will partner with academic colleges and other campus partners to strategize advising practices for meeting students where they are and removing obstacles for persistence and student success.

Minimum Education

Master’s Degree in relevant field from an accredited institution.

Minimum Experience

  • Five years of experience in academic advising, student services, counseling, or related field in higher education.
  • Knowledge of advising and registration platforms.
  • Experience supervising professional academic advisors.
  • Demonstrated experience engaging in a proactive advising approach.

Minimum Other

  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple simultaneous projects with attention to detail and adherence to deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to form collaborative relationships with other University Offices.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Knowledge of advising theory and approaches.
  • Knowledge of student development theory.

Authorization to work in the US
Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

Preferred Education

Doctorate or terminal degreed from an accredited institution.

Preferred Experience

  • 5 years of experience as a director or associate director of advising.
  • Demonstrated experience with student success platforms such as EAB Navigate.
  • Experience with Canvas Learning Management System.
  • Experience developing strategic partnerships that support interdisciplinary approaches to student success.
  • Experience working in a centralized advising model.

Preferred Other

Familiarity with Banner and DegreeWorks; thorough understanding of the university’s Core Curriculum program; familiarity with Ball State curriculum, academic policies, and academic procedures.

Pre-Employment Screening
Requires successful completion of a background check and education verification.

Position Title(s) Supervised

Associate Director; Senior Advisors; Coordinators; Administrative Support

EEO Statement

Ball State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

About Ball State University

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 22,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 120 undergraduate programs. We offer more than 140 master’s, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees, with many of them ranking among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.

There’s more to discover IN Indiana! Visit the following link to learn more

Department: Ofc of Vice Provost Student Success & Dean of University College:170040

Department Email or Phone Number
765-285-4015

Posting Number: 202301331P

Number of Vacancies: 1

Desired Start Date: 07/31/2023

Open Date: 06/27/2023

Applications Accepted Through Date: 07/10/2023

Open Until Filled: No

Information regarding transcripts
The option to upload transcripts is available. Original, official transcripts showing the highest related degree earned is required at the time of hire (even if obtained at BSU). Degree verification will be conducted.

Information for Applications Requiring a Cover Letter

In support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experiences align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please also describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to our University’s enduring values, including inclusiveness, which we define as a commitment ‘to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.’

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Ranking: 1
    Under the guidance of the Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean of University College and in collaboration with the Associate Dean of University College, establish strategic direction for centralized proactive advising and strategic case management.
  • Ranking: 2
    Provide day-to-day supervision of the Associate Director, Coordinators, and Senior advisors, ensuring a consistent approach to advising across all areas of the College.
  • Ranking: 3
    Work closely with the Associate Dean to advance college priorities for improving student persistence and graduation.
  • Ranking: 4
    Ensure a consistent approach to academic advising that fosters a common student experience for advising that includes University College advising staff and other campus partners (e.g., Honors College, DoSL, etc.).
  • Ranking: 5
    Utilize macro and close to practice data to inform advising strategies.
  • Ranking: 6
    Strategically collaborate with university partners (e.g., department chairs, the Registrar, student affairs, etc.) to ensure smooth and functional advising services (e.g., advising and registration, transfer credit and graduation verification procedures, degree planning, etc.).
  • Ranking: 7
    Coordinate Indiana Common Core certificate.
  • Ranking: 8
    Develop a comprehensive approach to communication with students, faculty, and staff regarding advising programs and initiatives.
  • Ranking: 9
    Strategize a model for monitoring registration, persistence, and stop-out data, and engaging students as appropriate to support retention, persistence, and completion.
  • Ranking: 10
    Collaborate with University College leadership to formulate assessment and continuous improvement within academic advising.
  • Ranking: 11
    Maintain integration of proactive advising best practices and ensure the proliferation of those practices across academic advising.
  • Ranking: 12
    Develop and maintain a comprehensive onboarding and training model for new advising staff that includes professional mentoring of new advising staff members.
  • Ranking: 13
    Provide feedback to University College leadership and Institutional Technology for improving functions EAB Navigate advising platforms.
  • Ranking: 14
    Maintain a positive culture within the advising unit that fosters a sense of belonging and positive morale.
  • Ranking: 15
    Engage in professional development and consistently provide professional development opportunities for academic advising unit.
  • Ranking: 16
    Serve on committees and special assignments as appropriate.
  • Ranking: 17
    Perform other related duties as assigned.

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