MISSION
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
The Academic Advising team, including both full-time advisors and faculty advisors, is designed to assist students in a holistic manner to support students throughout their time at SAIC. The ideal team will include advisors from different backgrounds, experiences and professional interests in order to work with the diverse needs and interests of the SAIC student body.
About The Position
Provide proactive academic advising, with a focus on first year students through Integrated Advising regarding course options, degree requirements, career counseling, school policies and other issues related to the educational process. Meet 1:1 with students to assist them in degree and career planning. Serve as a liaison to campus services to provide support for students. Develop and expand knowledge of SAIC departments and programs; degree requirements; class selection and academic experience to best serve the needs of students. Follow best-practices in advising and communication with students. Follow up with assigned students who receive Class Progress Reports. Coordinate academic programming for on and off-campus students including advising in the residence halls, first year advising, and other educational programs. Assist with departmental initiatives and programs such as: student programming, Food Pantry, Academic Standing, Leave of Absence process. Assist in providing support and guidance to the OSA Coordinator, the Student Assistants, and Faculty Advisors as related to Academic Advising issues. Serve as a key member of the Office of Student Affairs team, dedicated to building community and promoting student engagement. Some weekend work required for programs such as Orientation, Graduation, and Admissions events, and as needed.
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.
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 others on campus 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 Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Academic Advising, Deans on Call, the Director of Student Support, and others about student concerns. Serve as an integral part of SAIC’s Student Support Team. In order to ensure all resources are available to students and that the approach is collaborative, Advisors communicate effectively verbally and in writing about the students’ concerns and their interactions with each student. Advisors document their interactions in Symplicity, the Student Support Team’s database. Advisors also work often and directly with students’ parents and other support networks around academic and personal concerns in order to help students realize their academic and personal goals.
Integrated Advising - Integrated Advising, where Academic Advisors partner with faculty and staff in the classroom and are embedded in the first semester Research Studio. is at the foundation of Academic Advising at SAIC. Advisors work with approximately 7 Research Studios each year and maintain ongoing and comprehensive communication with each faculty member for the purposes of understanding each student’s needs and challenges, so they can offer stronger support for both the student and the faculty member. Advisors attend class critiques, field trips and other events in order to get to know their students better and to be integrated into the academic and student life at SAIC. Advisors begin by conducting Welcome Calls to every new advisee over the summer to assist with their upcoming transition to SAIC. They then welcome students during Move-In and meet with each class as part of the Orientation Experience. Advisors also schedule several group meetings with each class throughout the course of a semester as well as 1:1 advising through Advance Registration. Advisors are positioned as students’ primary source of support and assistance at SAIC and the efforts through Integrated Advising helps students establish a resource at SAIC and assist in their overall transition (both personal and academic) to SAIC.
Persistence, Completion and Student Success - Academic Advisors are one of the primary resources for students on campus regarding their overall success. Work collaboratively with the advising staff to 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.
Communication - Effectively communicates with students, including utilizing good listening skills. Is responsive to student emails and concerns, and appropriately involves others to assist with student communication. Maintain regular contact with appropriate resources to ensure effective operation of the Academic Advising program. Communicate student issues and crises to OSA staff as appropriate; advocate for students by addressing student needs and concerns; Contemporary Practices faculty, Student Services and other Student Affairs offices. Work collaboratively with faculty and staff to ensure student success.
Assessment and Learning Outcomes - Work collaboratively with Assistant Director of Academic Advising to conduct focus groups and surveys to assess performance of the department.
Programming and Collaboration - Assist in the development of outreach events and programs related to Academic Advising. Conduct programming in the residence Hall and on-campus. Present information about Advising to RA’s and other student leaders.
Technology - Assist with the operation of academic advising office systems and the support provided for the Advising staff with technology, especially Peoplesoft, Symplicity and EAB Navigate. Collaborate with the Assistant Dean to research, develop and implement technological solutions to improving service and support for students.
Committee/School Involvement - Serve on 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 Graduation, Art Sales, and Orientation. Evening and Weekend commitments may be expected.
Physical Requirements
Other Duties as assigned.
Successful candidate must:
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 [email protected].
UNION INFO
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31
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
- Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
- Great employee discounts
- Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions
The Academic Advising team, including both full-time advisors and faculty advisors, is designed to assist students in a holistic manner to support students throughout their time at SAIC. The ideal team will include advisors from different backgrounds, experiences and professional interests in order to work with the diverse needs and interests of the SAIC student body.
About The Position
Provide proactive academic advising, with a focus on first year students through Integrated Advising regarding course options, degree requirements, career counseling, school policies and other issues related to the educational process. Meet 1:1 with students to assist them in degree and career planning. Serve as a liaison to campus services to provide support for students. Develop and expand knowledge of SAIC departments and programs; degree requirements; class selection and academic experience to best serve the needs of students. Follow best-practices in advising and communication with students. Follow up with assigned students who receive Class Progress Reports. Coordinate academic programming for on and off-campus students including advising in the residence halls, first year advising, and other educational programs. Assist with departmental initiatives and programs such as: student programming, Food Pantry, Academic Standing, Leave of Absence process. Assist in providing support and guidance to the OSA Coordinator, the Student Assistants, and Faculty Advisors as related to Academic Advising issues. Serve as a key member of the Office of Student Affairs team, dedicated to building community and promoting student engagement. Some weekend work required for programs such as Orientation, Graduation, and Admissions events, and as needed.
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.
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 others on campus 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 Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Academic Advising, Deans on Call, the Director of Student Support, and others about student concerns. Serve as an integral part of SAIC’s Student Support Team. In order to ensure all resources are available to students and that the approach is collaborative, Advisors communicate effectively verbally and in writing about the students’ concerns and their interactions with each student. Advisors document their interactions in Symplicity, the Student Support Team’s database. Advisors also work often and directly with students’ parents and other support networks around academic and personal concerns in order to help students realize their academic and personal goals.
Integrated Advising - Integrated Advising, where Academic Advisors partner with faculty and staff in the classroom and are embedded in the first semester Research Studio. is at the foundation of Academic Advising at SAIC. Advisors work with approximately 7 Research Studios each year and maintain ongoing and comprehensive communication with each faculty member for the purposes of understanding each student’s needs and challenges, so they can offer stronger support for both the student and the faculty member. Advisors attend class critiques, field trips and other events in order to get to know their students better and to be integrated into the academic and student life at SAIC. Advisors begin by conducting Welcome Calls to every new advisee over the summer to assist with their upcoming transition to SAIC. They then welcome students during Move-In and meet with each class as part of the Orientation Experience. Advisors also schedule several group meetings with each class throughout the course of a semester as well as 1:1 advising through Advance Registration. Advisors are positioned as students’ primary source of support and assistance at SAIC and the efforts through Integrated Advising helps students establish a resource at SAIC and assist in their overall transition (both personal and academic) to SAIC.
Persistence, Completion and Student Success - Academic Advisors are one of the primary resources for students on campus regarding their overall success. Work collaboratively with the advising staff to 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.
Communication - Effectively communicates with students, including utilizing good listening skills. Is responsive to student emails and concerns, and appropriately involves others to assist with student communication. Maintain regular contact with appropriate resources to ensure effective operation of the Academic Advising program. Communicate student issues and crises to OSA staff as appropriate; advocate for students by addressing student needs and concerns; Contemporary Practices faculty, Student Services and other Student Affairs offices. Work collaboratively with faculty and staff to ensure student success.
Assessment and Learning Outcomes - Work collaboratively with Assistant Director of Academic Advising to conduct focus groups and surveys to assess performance of the department.
Programming and Collaboration - Assist in the development of outreach events and programs related to Academic Advising. Conduct programming in the residence Hall and on-campus. Present information about Advising to RA’s and other student leaders.
Technology - Assist with the operation of academic advising office systems and the support provided for the Advising staff with technology, especially Peoplesoft, Symplicity and EAB Navigate. Collaborate with the Assistant Dean to research, develop and implement technological solutions to improving service and support for students.
Committee/School Involvement - Serve on 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 Graduation, Art Sales, and Orientation. Evening and Weekend commitments may be expected.
Physical Requirements
Other Duties as assigned.
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer;
- Walk to other buildings on campus for meetings and programs; occasional standing requirements include assisting with programs such as move-in, orientation, graduation, and other large-scale events;
- Occasionally moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.;
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and printer
Successful candidate must:
- Bachelor's degree required, Masters preferred.
- have experience working in academic advising, student affairs or related field;
- 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;
- have experience in supporting students with mental health concerns and/or in dealing with crisis situations;
- 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
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 [email protected].
UNION INFO
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31