Student Support Advisor at Kansas City Art Institute – Kansas City, Missouri

POSITION TITLE: Student Support Advisor

DIVISION: Administration

DEPARTMENT: Student Affairs

REPORTS TO: Director of Student Support

PAY TYPE: Non-Exempt

WORKER TYPE: Full-Time

UPDATED: January 2024

PAY: $22.51/hr

The Student Support Advisor is responsible for building a collaborative relationship with

students in assigned majors, through guidance, advising and mentorship, and providing

students the opportunity for a purposeful student experience. Responsibilities include academic

advising, assisting students in the development of educational and professional goals, providing

individualized academic support, connecting students to campus-wide support services and

programming, and coordinating the First-Generation Student program. This position implements

practices that support the individual student experience from first semester through graduation.

Essential Functional Responsibilities:

Serve as an academic advisor to assigned majors/programs, including:

● Provide personalized guidance to help students achieve their academic goals, and assist

them in planning academic experiences connecting their interests and goals.

● Offer one-on-one academic advising meetings, guiding students in choosing classes to

fulfill degree requirements, as well as liberal arts and elective courses, moving students

closer to their individual academic goals, graduation, and professional goals.

● Complete degree audits and advising worksheets in preparation for academic advising

appointments and semester registration.

● Provide semester presentations to each academic department regarding

major/minor/certificate selection, academic advising, and academic resources.

● Provide guidance to students regarding educational opportunities for KCAI, e.g.,

Directed Study, local school exchanges (Kansas City Area School Exchange - KCASE),

major changes, major +, etc., and discuss how these opportunities might support their

academic/professional goals.

● Provide direction and instruction for students considering a leave of absence and

returning from a leave.

● Work in collaboration with the Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, faculty, and other campus

personnel and offices as needed for student advisement.

Serve as primary academic support advisor for all students in assigned major/s -

● Determine students' need for academic support and meet as needed.

● Provide personalized guidance to help students improve their academic practices

and outcomes, build academic habits to support achieving academic personal and

professional goals.

● Provide academic support to students admitted on academic contingency and current

students continuing on academic contingency (academic or scholarship probation, low

mid-term grades, attendance issues).

● Ensure students engage with their faculty regarding academic progress (as needed), as

well as supporting students through the communication processes.

Manage and coordinate the first-generation student program.

● Identify first generation students in collaboration with the director of student support,

financial aid office and admissions.

● Identify first generation student mentors (faculty and staff) and assign mentees. Provide

direction and guidance on the mentor/mentee relationship to those participating.

● Coordinate first generation celebration week programming, and any additional events

and activities offered throughout the year.

● Communicate with all first-generation students regarding programming, events, or

educational opportunities and information that benefit their experience as first-generation

students.

● Create and track programming and communication plans for the first-generation

program.

● Conduct surveys to assess interests and possible areas of improvement and growth of

the program.

● Collaborate with the registrar's office to track first-generation student retention.

Other responsibilities:

● Make appropriate referrals to students who express concerns about issues that may be

impacting their academic performance, as well as their personal life and collaborate with

college departments to encourage the support of students who have been referred.

Consult with the Assistant Director of Student Support when additional academic support

is deemed necessary.

● Participate directly in academic support services for students as requested by Assistant

Director or Director (presentations/programming, group sessions, etc.)

● Keep daily records of interactions with students and maintain academic support files.

● Communicate student progress to Assistant Director and Director when requested.

● Work with student affairs staff in organizing and implementing support services.

● Advertise and share information about student support services to the campus

community.

● Participate in student retention initiatives.

● Be available to the campus community through conducting regular office hours.

Respond to daily email and telephone inquiries from students, parents, faculty and staff

regarding student issues.

● Meet with the Director or Assistant Director of Student Support on a weekly and/or

regular basis.

● Participate in relevant professional organizations and professional development

opportunities.

● Assist and/or plan other student affairs events and programs as needed.

● Other duties as assigned.

Supervises the following:

● Student work study position

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:

● Knowledge of and ability to apply standards appropriate to the fields of student support

services, including knowledge of higher education academic requirements and curricula,

academic skills and strategies, communication skills, referral processes.

● Knowledge of and ability to appropriately apply accreditation standards to academic

support services, academic advising, and student affairs functions.

● Must have strong administrative, organizational, and communication skills (written and

oral).

● Ability to work independently and as a member of a team with a well-developed capacity

to delegate successfully and monitor progress.

● Ability to maintain a high volume of assignments with proficiency and adjust priorities

accordingly, as well as conclude projects on a timely basis and according to deadlines.

● Must have a pleasant, courteous and professional attitude and presence.

● Adherence to federal and state mandates regarding student information, confidentiality,

and operations related to the essential functional responsibilities of the position.

● Interact, inspire confidence, motivate, and work successfully with other college personnel

and students.

● Ability to evaluate the nature and significance of objectives and goals and to translate

them into a workable plan.

● Ability to effectively and accurately articulate the priorities, policies, and mission of the

institution. Strong training and presentation skills.

● Ability to use current computer equipment and programs being used by the division.

● Ability to resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.

Required Experience/Education:

● Bachelor’s degree

● One year of experience in student services in higher education

Preferred Experience/Education:

● Two or more years experience in student support services in higher education

● Knowledge of the KCAI student experience

Statement

Kansas City Art Institute is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting,

retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race,

gender, gender identity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or

mental disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other

characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. KCAI provides reasonable

accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job

application process. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need

accommodation due to a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department about

your interest in employment. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Kansas City Art

Institute’s Human Resource Administrator at hr@kcai.edu .

EOE/AA: Minorities/Females/Disabled/Vets