Senior Academic Counselor bei Lakeshore College

 LAKESHORE'S MISSION:
Transform individuals to strengthen our communities through innovative and accessible learning.

Full-time Benefits Include:
Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
Up to $3,000 in tuition reimbursement annually | Professional development and growth opportunities
6.95% Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) savings - matched dollar for dollar | 403(b) and 457 retirement savings options
College paid life and disability insurance | Health and dependent care Flex Spending Accounts 
Onsite fitness center and walking path | Up to 8 weeks paid New Child Leave
Onsite wellness screenings I Relocation assistance available 

Lakeshore also offers generous paid time off starting with 15 days of vacation, 9 days of sick time, 6 days of personal leave,
10 holidays, and a one-week winter break.

Additional Perks:
Local discounts on food, entertainment, and events | Discounts on cell phone plans and rental cars
Common Read events | Culinary experiences from onsite emerging chefs | Identity theft protection
“Dress for your day” | Employee recognition and appreciation events
Campus closed six Fridays during the summer

Benefits begin the first of the month coinciding with or following hire.
For additional information on our vast array of benefits, read through our benefits guide.

SHIFT:  Day/evening/weekend hours | Flexible based upon the needs of the College

LOCATION:  Lakeshore College – Cleveland, Wisconsin

POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Academic Counselor serves as the lead for a designated instructional division and assists the Executive Director of Enrollment Management by carrying out departmental priorities. In addition to their assigned student caseload, they provide supervisory responsibility over the Academic Counselors in that division. Using their extensive knowledge of College resources, the Senior Academic Counselor serves as a student’s primary support and connection to College resources throughout the student journey from application to post-completion. The Senior Academic Counselor is actively engaged in relationship- and community-building activities to foster student development and belongingness that support student enrollment and academic progression. Activities include: admissions events, group advising/counseling sessions, student success workshops, etc. They promote student success for all students by conducting outreach and monitoring students’ admissions/enrollment status, academic progress, academic standing, retention, and graduation/transfer rates. They proactively collaborate with internal and external departments and partners to meet student needs and college enrollment goals to improve college-wide student success outcomes. Provide an exceptional customer service experience to both internal and external customers throughout every interaction. 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS/ADA: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Other duties may be assigned):

(70%) Direct Student Support
•    Utilize appreciative advising and holistic student support principles to help students achieve their educational/career goals and navigate their college experience.
•    Conduct one-on-one and group sessions, including participation in recruitment/admissions events and activities, to facilitate student progression from application to enrollment, graduation, transfer, and/or workforce advancement.
•    Provide initial and ongoing assessment, guidance and counsel to assist student decision-making with program and course selection, registration, and academic and career-goal planning.
•    Create, update, and provide each student an academic and student success plan that includes course sequencing, student support connections, and timeline to degree program that aligns to “students want to complete their degree sooner rather than later” philosophy. 
•    Proactively collaborate (refer and follow up) with other College departments and external partners to provide seamless service and advocacy to meet the academic needs of students; services may include financial aid, student accounts, technology support, veterans services, academic support, transfer services, library services, and more. 
•    Execute student communication and outreach plans and respond to student outreach by phone, email, or other electronic communication methods to answer questions and requests for information with accurate and clear answers in a professional and timely manner
•    Work with students who receive academic early alerts or are at risk of not meeting graduation and/or program requirements. Address and diffuse situations of conflict and crisis and make appropriate referrals.
•    Provide effective student coaching, specifically in the areas of guiding students with career advising and guided career pathways, transfer information, goal setting, time management, self-advocacy, and study skills.
•    Create, promote, and facilitate workshops; lead activities in a variety of topics including, but not limited to, academic, social, career, personal, financial, and cultural.
•    Provide accessible hours to meet college and student needs and serve as a back-up for other Academic Counselors.

(15%) Academic Counseling Coordination
•    Assist Executive Director of Enrollment Management with establishing and carrying out consistent departmental professional standards and priorities; keep the Executive Director of Enrollment Management apprised of wins and issues; collaborate with College staff to resolve issues.
•    Assist with the design and implementation of the college orientation program, events, student communication/outreach plans, including content creation and strategic messaging to enhance student engagement and the overall student experience.
•    Review, monitor, and provide analysis for enrollment and retention activities for assigned division; make recommendations and support implementation for system updates and activities to support the College’s enrollment goals, department goals, and student success outcomes.
•    Assist with grant planning and implementation.
•    Assist with meeting departmental staffing needs and coverage.

(15%) Professional Standards
•    Follow College policies, procedures, and standards to meet compliance requirements, ensure accurate student records, and positively impact student success.
•    Maintain up to date knowledge and understanding of assigned academic programs, including admissions and academic preparedness requirements, program and course requirements, delivery methods, career pathways, transfer, and career options. 
•    Utilize available technology and systems to track, process, monitor, communicate, and maintain accurate and relevant college and student information related to the student’s educational journey. 
•    Maintain student meeting notes and process student information related to admissions, academic plans and progress, course placement, student support; document relevant notes to maintain holistic student experience.
•    Complete tracking and activity reports for grants, retention, and continuous improvement purposes. 
•    Participate in activities such as projects, meetings, professional development, and initiatives to stay informed about program and industry changes and to share student experience and enrollment information.
•    Utilize College reports to monitor, review and proactively make improvement recommendations, which may include course offerings and student experience enhancements that support student progression and the college’s enrollment goals.
•    Assist in the development, updating, and distribution of admissions and student success materials.

MANAGER ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Responsible for the direction, coordination, supervision, and performance management of team members. 
•    Set clear expectations by establishing roles, responsibilities and setting goals for team members.
•    Monitor and assess performance, holding team members accountable, and providing ongoing feedback.
•    Provide guidance and support through training, mentoring, and open communication. 
•    Carry out managerial responsibilities in accordance with the College’s policies and procedures. 
•    Collaborate with other departments to ensure cohesive college operations.
•    Address and resolve any conflicts or issues that arise in a timely manner. 
•    Foster a positive and productive work environment encouraging teamwork, recognizing achievements, and promoting inclusivity.
•    Develop team members by identifying strengths, creating development plans, and offering growth opportunities. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
•    Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited college or university in a related discipline required. Master’s degree preferred. 
•    Three to five years of relevant occupational experience required. 
•    Two to three years of prior supervisory or program leadership experience.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSURE, REGISTRATION:
•     Career Development Facilitator certification is a plus.
•     Appreciative Advising certification is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

KNOWLEDGE

•    Knowledge of Lakeshore’s mission, vision, and strategic direction.
•    Working knowledge of student or career development theory and college enrollment and financial aid processes.
•    Ability to guide students through educational planning and career exploration to ensure student success.
 

SKILLS

•    Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•    Strong organizational and time-management skills.
•    Effective interpersonal skills and customer service skills. 
•    Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 
 

ABILITIES

•    Adapt quickly to new and changing technology.
•    Perform work accurately and thoroughly, with a high level of accountability and attention to detail. 
•    Work independently, as part of a team and/or with minimal supervision.
•    Present self in a professional, ethical and respectful manner at all times. 
•    Use discretion and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
•    Prioritize and manage multiple projects or tasks, maintaining deadlines.
•    Establish and maintain effective working relationships and relate successfully with staff, students and all stakeholders.
 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
•    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
•    The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. 
•    The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
•    The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
•    Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
•    Work environment may require multi-tasking.  
•    The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

This job description is designed to cover the basic functions of the job and is not considered a detailed description of every job duty that is required, other duties may be assigned as needed. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice to ensure the successful delivery of organizational objectives. 

CONDITION(S) OF EMPLOYMENT:
•    Employment conditional on completion of a Background Information Disclosure (BID) with the results acceptable to the College.
 

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