Job Description
SAIC
For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.
We Offer a Competitive, Comprehensive Benefits Package - Generous paid time off
- Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
- Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
- Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
- Great employee discounts
- Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions
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Salary Grade 6 About The Department The Student Success area of the Office of Student Affairs, provides comprehensive and targeted support of our most vulnerable student populations. Working with over 400 undergraduate students, the Student Success department advises, mentors, and coaches SAIC students who are Chicago Scholars (including Massey Scholarship Fund) program recipients. The Student Success area also oversees the retention and graduation efforts with the Office of Student Affairs.
About The Position - The Academic and Career Coach (CS) provides proactive academic and career advising primarily to students in the Chicago Scholars Program. The essential duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Alongside the Associate Dean for Student Success, the Academic and Career Coach (CS) will support the programming and initiatives for the Chicago Scholars students;
- Meet 1:1 with students to assist them in degree and career planning including course options, degree requirements, career counseling, school policies and other issues related to the educational process;
- Serve as a liaison to campus services to provide support for students;
- Develop and expand knowledge of SAIC departments and programs;
- Follow up with assigned students who receive Class Progress Reports;
- Coordinate academic and career programming for specific cohorts of Chicago Scholars program students;
- Hire, train, and supervise the Chicago Scholars Peer Mentors;
- Serve as a key member of the Office of Student Affairs team, dedicated to building community and promoting student engagement.
Responsibilities - Academic Advising - Provide proactive academic advising to students through one-one and group meetings. Within an interdisciplinary environment, assist students in developing their individualized academic plan. Prepare and discuss degree-audits and requirements, assist students with course selection, course add/drops, course withdrawal, leaves of absence, reinstatements, transfer of credits, graduation requirements as well as course and/or instructor concerns. Advise students individually on personal, health, financial and academic issues related to their overall experience and satisfaction. Work directly with faculty and department representatives as well as staff throughout campus to support students in realizing their academic goals.
- Career Advising - Advise Chicago Scholars on career-related topics including, but not limited to career decisions, networking skills, resume and portfolio critiques, and internship and job search strategies in order to prepare students for life after art school. Provide career education in multiple formats – individual appointments, drop-in hours, and group advising.
- Student Issues and Crisis Management - Provide direct support for students who are experiencing personal, mental or physical health or academic concerns or crises. Work collaboratively with the Deans on Call, Wellness Center staff and other appropriate departments and staff to assist in managing student crises. Serve as an integral part of SAIC Student Support Team by identifying students at risk, connecting students to resources, liaising with appropriate campus support services, and providing on-going follow-up with the student. Communicate effectively and consistently to the Associate Dean for Student Success, Deans on Call, the Director of Student Support, and others about student concerns. Document interactions in the Student Support Team’s database (Symplicity). Work often and directly with students’ parents and other support networks around academic and personal concerns in order to help students realize their academic, personal, and career goals.
- Persistence, Completion and Student Success - Work collaboratively with Student Success and Completion Specialist and the advising staff to understand student trajectories and assist with intervention for targeted groups at-risk students and retention outreach; assist with student issues as appropriate. Proactively and consistently outreach to students who are not registered for the next academic term. Continuously monitor and analyze student progress, activity, demographic and academic data for Chicago Scholars.
- Communication - Effectively communicates with students, including utilizing good listening skills. Remain continually responsive to student emails and concerns, and appropriately involve others to assist with student communication. Maintain regular contact with appropriate resources to ensure effective operation of the Chicago Scholars Program. Communicate student issues and crises to OSA staff as appropriate and advocate for students by addressing student needs and concerns. Work collaboratively with faculty and staff to ensure student success.
- Assessment and Learning Outcomes - Work collaboratively with the Associate Dean for Student Success and the Student Success and Completion Specialist to conduct focus groups and surveys to assess performance of the Chicago Scholars.
- Technology - Assist with the operation of the Office of Student Affairs systems and the support provided for the OSA and Advising staff with technology, especially Peoplesoft, Symplicity, Handshake, EAB and Navigate.
- Committee/School Involvement - Serve on Chicago Scholars committees. Serve on additional relevant departmental and campus committees as assigned.
- Departmental Initiatives and Programs - Assist and coordinate departmental initiatives such as programming, communication and outreach; Leave of Absence; Academic Standing and other support programs. Assist with assessment efforts and annual reports of advising activities. Provide assistance with OSA departmental functions such as Commencement, Art Sales, outreach events, exhibitions and Orientation. Work with program staff and Faculty Mentors to plan and facilitate program workshops and events. Occasional to regular evening and weekend commitments may be expected.
- Other Duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements - Provide the physical demands of the job, including standing (%), sitting (%), lifting (maximum weight), and driving. List all essential physical requirements with an asterisk (*).
Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in arts administration, education, student affairs, social work or related field required
- Master's a plus
- Minimum 2-5 years of experience working in academic and/or career advising or coaching, student affairs or related field required
- Professional experience working with underrepresented student populations in higher education strongly preferred.
- Have an understanding of the developmental process of college students and skills in meeting students at their own developmental level and tailoring interactions to each individual student;
- Minimum 1-2 years’ experience supporting students with mental health concerns and/or in dealing with crisis situations strongly preferred
- Have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community of artists, designers and scholars;
- Have demonstrated experience exercising and displaying sound judgment;
- Possess a strong commitment to student development – with an emphasis on utilizing a holistic approach to the educational experience and the ability to meet students at their own developmental level;
- Have strong communication skills – both verbally and in writing;
- Have the ability to collaborate with faculty and staff as well as a strong sense of congeniality;
- Be sensitive to the needs of a diverse, urban, artist population;
- Have a proficiency for using technology (e.g. Student Information Systems such as PeopleSoft, Google suites, Microsoft suites) as tools in advising and a willingness to develop proficiency in additional tools as needed.
Closing Statement The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.
Union Info This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31
Job Tags
Holiday work, Full time, Internship, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,