Student Advisor and Student Support Coordinator

This position is located in the Office of Student Services of the College of Pharmacy and reports to the Director of Student Services.

As the Student Advisor, this position is responsible for enhancing student success for PharmD students primarily on the Twin Cities campus by providing advising and coaching, proactive outreach and communications, identifying and meeting with students facing challenges, ensuring students are connected with all relevant campus resources, and promoting equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for all students.

Projects related to student success are based on the interests, skill sets, and workload of the advising team, and support students across both the Duluth and Twin Cities campuses; examples of the types of projects and initiatives coordinated by advisors include coordinating communication with the student body, coordinating orientation, and student engagement initiatives.

Work Modality: This position is expected to work on campus four days per week and may work remotely one day per week (remote days limited to Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) during College business hours (8:00-4:30). Attend College of Pharmacy events as needed. Advisors also have flexibility to work remotely when PharmD students are not present on campus (summer, fall, winter, and spring breaks).

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Student Advisor - 65%

• Coach TC campus PharmD students (primarily), including the following:
  • Through powerful questions, support students in developing agency and skills to think critically and problem-solve, taking responsibility for their education.
  • Apply knowledge of curriculum, policies, support resources, financial aid eligibility, and progression standards to advise and advocate for students.
  • Empathetically engage with students experiencing challenges and make appropriate advising recommendations and referrals to relevant services (disability resources, counseling services, content support, etc).
  • Guide students (individually and in group presentations) regarding academic requirements, and college and university policies and procedures.
  • Understand professional behavioral expectations of pharmacy students, and coach them towards outcomes that meet these expectations.
  • Monitor progression data and academic warnings to identify students at risk, and meet with students to follow up and provide appropriate guidance and referrals.
  • Closely monitor and support students on individualized academic plans, leaves of absence, or extended absence, including regularly scheduled check-in meetings and communications as appropriate.
  • Create a foundation for strong relationships with students via a consistent presence on campus, in around common spaces like the PharmD lounge.

Advising Administrative Tasks 20%

• Collaborate with the Director of Student Services and the Student Advising Team to develop and implement innovative and efficient services, practices, and procedures to support student success and thriving
  • Ensure consistent advising approaches on all campuses and across Pharmacy, MLS, and OT programs.
  • Review class-wide student issues, student disciplinary situations, and academic progression concerns.
• Collaborate with relevant student support stakeholders in systems and structures that support students
  • Cross-consult with advising team on supporting students
  • Participate in Support Panel meetings
  • Serve as primary point of contact from advising team with academic support services, such as curating academic skills content on website, academic support resources (eg. tutors, learning specialist), best practices, and other content support for students
• Serve as advising team representative to curricular staff
  • Collaborate with the Assessment Specialist to ensure appropriate student performance data is available to the advising team.
  • Collaborate with Education Coordinators, Block Leads, and instructional team to communicate the cohort experience, manage resources and support services, represent OSS in Support Panel meetings, partner on building student action plans, and advocate for student success and thriving.
  • Serve as the main advising point of contact and coordinate data management, interventions, and student outreach for the advising team (including academic alerts, action plans, communication, data management)
  • Advocate for student needs, supportive actions, and equitable access

Student Success Projects - 10%
Student Success projects can evolve over time based on advisor interests, skill sets, and workload. The following are examples of projects for which this role could be responsible:

• Lead the coordination of P1 orientation (currently a three day in-person event), in collaboration with faculty and student partners.
  • Create and maintain an effective Orientation Canvas site, aimed at asynchronous student onboarding
  • Hire and supervise a team of Student Orientation Leaders
  • Coordinate scheduling and logistics of orientation sessions across two campuses
• Create and maintain a student services communication plan, including writing, editing, and distributing content that is relevant to the audience and aligned with priorities.
  • Collaborate with DSA's Admissions and Student Records Specialist on newsletter drafts to ensure content is appropriate and timely for PharmD students.
  • Communicate via various methods, including website, email, social media, and any other emerging platforms that best meet the needs of students.
  • Contribute to the content and maintenance of the PharmD program website.
• Collaborate with faculty and student partners on community-building efforts, such as P2 & P3 kickoff events.

Team Support and Professional Development - 5%

• Inform, collaborate with, and support colleagues in the performance of their job responsibilities in a manner consistent with efficient operations and a service environment.
• Assist with special events, as needed.
• Participate in professional development and explore innovative ways to improve services.
• Carry out any other assigned office tasks that are essential to the professional operation of the unit.
• Commit to ongoing social justice and racial equity work to identify, challenge, and remove barriers to access at the individual, community, and system levels.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS and four years of related full-time experience in student advising in higher education or Masters degree and two years of related full-time experience in student advising in higher education
• Experience working with diverse populations and commitment to inclusion and access
• Evidence of strong interpersonal and written skills for communicating with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff
• Attention to detail, organizational, and prioritizing skills
• Commitment to continuous improvement

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in a related field
• Experience, skills, and/or ability to learn the use of spreadsheets, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, student information systems (SIS) or other education platforms, Google Suite, etc.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and evolving organizational structures
• Experience in program coordination or project management, specifically, leading the coordination of community building initiatives, student onboarding and orientation
• Experience advising at the graduate / professional level
  

The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy is consistently recognized as one of the best pharmacy schools in the nation. Founded in 1892, our college is the only pharmacy school in Minnesota, with campuses in Duluth and the Twin Cities. We improve health through innovative education, pioneering research, and interdisciplinary practice development that attends to the diverse needs of the people of Minnesota and the world. The Office of Student Services' goal is to provide caring, inclusive, prompt, and effective support to enhance student well-being and success.

Pay Range: $68,000 - $73,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and 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 be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required application material: Resume

Priority Deadline Note: The application review will begin on May 15th

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.

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).