Academic Counselor (Campus Title SUCCESS Academic Counselor) - Mount Wachusett Community College
Mount Wachusett Community College
Application
Details
Posted: 26-Nov-24
Location: Gardner, Massachusetts
Internal Number: 183394
Location: Gardner, MA Category: Professional (Staff Member) Posted On: Mon Nov 25 2024 Job Description:
General Statement of Duties:
Under the general direction of the Associate Director of Advising & Student Success, the SUCCESS Counselor serves as the initial / primary point of contact for student enrollment once initial onboarding is completed and the student is identified as an appropriate candidate for the SUCCESS Scholars program. The SUCCESS Counselor provides academic advising services in person and via college resources, such as phone, email and video chat, to a caseload of students from point of initial advising (post-admission) through the end of their first year of enrollment at MWCC. The SUCCESS Counselor provides services and availability consistent with best practices of the SUCCESS program and advising at MWCC.
Responsibilities:
Use the developmental advising/mentoring/coaching approach and employ proactive, sustained, and strengths-based strategies to ensure the success of a cohort of students enrolled in the SUCCESS Scholar program designed to increase persistence through completion and/or transfer.
Perform new, transfer, and readmitted student intake advising and assist students with educational planning including, but not limited to: academic, career, and transfer resources of the College.
Create a success plan for each student, schedule regular meetings to track academic progress, and ensure access to support services
Foster linkages between academic and student support programs/services to build a holistic SUCCESS network that provides options, referrals, and alternative solutions for SUCCESS scholars facing adversity or challenges. Collaborate with campus and community-based resources to provide responsive wrap-around services for students.
Establish meaningful relationships with students focused on academic and personal success (inside and outside of the classroom) while creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where every SUCCESS scholar feels they have an opportunity to set and reach their individual goals.
Serve as the primary point of contact for a cohort of students. As the point of contact, SUCCESS Advisors will connect students with MWCC supports and facilitate solution-focused conversations focused on helping SUCCESS scholars overcome academic and life obstacles/challenges.
Lead programs and activities designed to cultivate academic self-confidence, community engagement, 21st century life skills, self-advocacy, and a sense of participatory involvement on all aspects of campus and academic life.
Create, implement, and facilitate (or encourage attendance in) workshops and events for SUCCESS cohort on a variety of topics including academic skills, career exploration, financial literacy, leadership development, and student life activities.
Actively participate in College enrollment strategies.
Identify risk factors and appropriate interventions with an emphasis on student strengths, retention, and persistence. Address and diffuse situations of conflict and crisis while making appropriate referrals. Collaborate with other departments to ensue minimal disruption to student success.
Work with SUCCESS Advisor team to build a strong cohort of students within the program that instills a culture of success, confidence, self-advocacy, and positive identity.
Participates in enrollment events (such as Enrollment Express, Accepted Student Registration Days and Open House), orientation and other college-wide efforts to enhance the student experience.
Focus specific efforts on supporting students in online courses (asynchronous and synchronous) to ensure that students actively engage in this learning modality.
Assist students directly in the transition into college. Support students in their understanding of Blackboard, course delivery and modality, faculty expectations, time management, academic support, financial aid, course registration, etc.
For Complete union specifications please visit HERE
Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
Master's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology or closely related field;
Three (3) years experience and/or training involving college admissions, academic advisement, career development, or program/project management; or
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Travel to other campuses when required
Desired Qualifications:
Experience work with community college and/or adult learner populations;
Bilingual
Equivalency Statement Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.
**** Actual Salary determined by education, experience, and any applicable grant limitations per the collective bargaining agreement. Applicants should be aware it is unlikely the salary will be at or near the top of the range.
Grade: 5 Employee Status: Full Time Benefits: Yes Hours per Week: 37.5
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. with two 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. shifts. Per week Number of Weeks: 52
Mount Wachusett Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy or related conditions, gender identity, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits Sex-Based Harassment. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, or retaliation shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action Officer and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.
We are an innovative institution for teaching and learning excellence. Students and faculty are at the center of everything we do. If you are looking for the opportunity to come to work every day and help students achieve their dreams, Mount Wachusett Community College is the place for you. Our faculty, staff, and administration forge the direction of the college together - from governance to defining our mission. We understand that for our institution to remain relevant we must continually examine and refine the ways we serve our students. We strive to create an environment where students, faculty and staff feel comfortable and where new ideas and perspectives are encouraged and rewarded. We respect and honor our differences and make them work toward the advantage of all. The college is committed to attracting the best faculty and staff for our students, regardless of race, color, religious creed, age, physical or mental disability, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information or veteran status. About the College Mount Wachusett Community College is an accredited, public two-year institution serving 29 cities and towns in North Central ...Massachusetts. The picturesque269-acre main campus is located in Gardner, Massachusetts; satellite sites are located in Leominster, Fitchburg, and Devens. The college offers over 45 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as adult basic education and high school equivalency programs, education and training for business and industry, and noncredit professional and personal enrichment programs. MWCC is on the forefront of state and national civic engagement and service learning initiatives and is nationally recognized as a veteran- friendly school. MWCC is in the process of constructing a $42 million science and technology building to support growing STEM programs. The college community enjoys many resources including the East Wing Art Gallery; the 555-seat Theatre at the Mount which hosts a variety of productions annually; the Fitness and Wellness Center, which offers a wide assortment of fitness classes, exercise equipment and an Olympic-size swimming pool; a complete library with access to thousands of on-line publications and data bases, as well as electronic classrooms. In addition, through its membership in the CWMARS regional library system, access is available to all other public and academic libraries in the region. Our Green Commitment In addition, if sustainability is important to you, Mount Wachusett Community College offers the chance to work at one of the greenest colleges in the nation. We are the largest greenhouse gas reducer of any Massachusetts state college, university, or agency, as recognized by the 2011 Leading By Example Award from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We have also been nationally recognized with a Climate Leadership Award from Second Nature, the supporting organization of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, and several other organizations. Our Gardner campus features two 1.65 MW Vestas V82 wind turbines that are propelling us to near-carbon neutrality for campus operations. With the college's biomass and solar technologies incorporated into the mix, coupled with significant efficiency improvements, MWCC generates nearly all of its energy on-site to operate as a near-zero net energy campus. About our benefitsOur full-time faculty and staff enjoy a liberal benefits package, including generous retirement plans, eleven health insurance options, dental care, life insurance and long-term disability insurance. In addition, we offer a tuition remission program which provides education benefits at Massachusetts state colleges, community colleges, and University of Massachusetts Colleges for full-time employees, their spouses and dependent children. Education and lifelong learning are valued here. Additionally, sabbatical opportunities and other professional development opportunities are possible. About the regionMount Wachusett Community College is located a few hours from the stunning beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore, an hour's drive from the cultural attractions and big city lights of Boston, and forty-minutes from the county seat of Worcester, with museums, a thriving restaurant scene, and excellent amenities. A wide variety of state and national parks, including the Appalachian Trail, the White Mountains, the Berkshires and the Green Mountains are all a day-trip away. The best that New England has to offer is here: quaint villages, bustling cities, and beautiful vistas. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Worcester Art Museum and the Fitchburg Art Museum offer incredible collections. There are opportunities for great shopping in area cities, towns, and nearby outlet malls. North Central Massachusetts is home to excellent public, charter and private schools as well as an affordable lifestyle. Hiking, biking, and walking trails are spread throughout the region as well, for those seeking to maintain an active outdoor lifestyle. We hope you will consider applying for one of our open positions, and discover all that Mount Wachusett Community College and the North Central Massachusetts region have to offer.