Academic Advisor

POSITION PURPOSE:  

The Student Advisor provides academic advising to students in the Master’s in Clinical Nutrition, Master’s in Nutrition Business Leadership and the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree programs. This position is a key contributor to increasing student retention and graduation by supporting Sonoran University students in degree completion and support strategies. 

This dynamic individual will work directly with the Manager of Student Advising & Engagement in the areas of: special schedule advising; maintaining advising records and SIS data integrity; building personalized relationships with both online and on-ground students, communicate with students regarding academic policies, and their academic progress; ensure the completeness, accuracy and security of student transcripts and pertinent records in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). 

SUPERVISES:  N/A

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the primary guide to both online and ground students to ensure that students stay on track to meet their educational goals and assist students in understanding and completing degree requirements.
• Provide one-on-one advising to students on alternative tracks, checking for pre-requisites and ensuring proper registration in required classes for their Program of Study (POS). 
• Closely monitor students to proactively identify at-risk scenarios and offer comprehensive outreach to develop, implement, measure and improve academic success strategies.
• Skilled at connecting and building rapport with students from diverse backgrounds
• Provide students with proactive guidance on acclimating to their new graduate lifestyle and building supportive personal environments and best practices to facilitate their student success.
• Maintain documentation for student files including electronic records to support academic progression and advisement for student success.
• Responsible for a thorough understanding of the college curriculum and progression in the various POS tracks; maintaining college and academic policies, protocol, standards and procedures to maintain SIS data integrity.  
• Responsible for maintaining program information and providing direction to students interested or participating in the joint degree programs (PIHMA and MPH).
• Promote, monitor and manage Community service program and opportunities. Maintain current community contacts and resources, acting as a liaison when appropriate.
• Empower students to maintain effective connections to the College and its online community of learners.
• Provide one on one assistance to online or ground students in navigating and using the LMS system.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent organizational, time management, prioritization, problem solving, and written and verbal communication skills. Attention to detail. 
• Must be able to manage a crisis and calm upset individuals and to prioritize and schedule opportunity for resolution of the problem
• Ability to research technical specifications and best practice findings.
• Ability to apply effective interpersonal skills to interact with faculty, staff, and students in a diplomatic and professional manner; including working through difficult situations and conflict resolution.
• Ability to interact in an effective and appropriate manner with diverse populations both in-person and online as well as with the College community and the public.
• Ability to maintain professional level of confidentiality in all aspects of job performance and protection of student records.
• Ability to adapt to new and rapidly changing situations
• Ability to multi-task
• Strong technical skills with above average proficiency in Microsoft Office: specifically, Word, Excel and, enterprise database and reporting tools and the ability to learn new programs quickly and independently.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor’s Degree

• Experience in an educational institution

• Or, any equivalent combination of education and/or related experience

Desired:

• 1-2 years’ experience in Academic Advising 
  
  

About Sonoran University:

Sonoran University of Health Sciences is a non-profit, higher education institution.  In addition to offering the highest quality education to the next generation of healthcare professionals, Sonoran University operates a Medical Center, Neil Riordan Center for regenerative Medicine, and natural pharmacy (Medicinary) on campus.  Sonoran University furthers our mission and reach into the community via the SAGE Foundation, contributing to the mission and operations of several off-site clinics focused on providing naturopathic medical care to the uninsured and underserved in the Phoenix metro area. 

Background/Screening:       

All candidates offered a position at Sonoran University undergo a background and drug screen prior to hire. All employees must show documentation of vaccinations or provide titer results for measles prior to first day of work (unless religious or medical exemption is on file). Employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of all screens required of this position.

Sonoran University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Sonoran University is a Smoke-Free campus.

Core Values

At Sonoran University, we support work-life balance as evidenced by our emphasis on wellness initiatives, flexible schedules, and work-from-home options. Additionally, our Vacation and Sick time off policies are highly competitive in the Higher Ed community.  We also offer a highly competitive health insurance