Academic Program Specialist III

Classification Title:

Academic Program Specialist III

Job Description:

Leadership and Management of FTIC Advisors and Advising Program:

Leads, evaluates, and administers all aspects of first-time-in-college (FTIC) advising in the College of Engineering Academic Advising Office.  Directly supervises College-level FTIC advisors in their respective advising roles.  Regularly participates in management training through UF Human Resources.

Promotes a team atmosphere that values continuous improvement in the COE Academic Advising Office and encourages continuous professional development.  Strives to be up-to-date in current best practices in FTIC advising of engineering students.  Prepares research data, journal articles, and presentations for regional and national meetings.

Fosters a mentality of service to not only student advisees but also the departmental advising personnel.  Works regularly with departmental advising personnel to ensure specific advising needs of the department are met and to strongly bind the students to an appropriate major and to their home department.  

Encourages and models a student-centered advising model in COE that promotes positive and continued relationships with students.  Leads the COE FTIC advising team to establish and maintain an environment that is welcoming and convenient to all advisees. 

Leads COE FTIC advising team in development of effective communication methods within COE Undergraduate Student Affairs, with departmental advising personnel, and between departmental advising personnel and FTIC students. Oversees development and maintenance of advising pages in the COE USA web site. 

Works closely with the Associate Dean for Engineering Undergraduate Student Affairs to ensure that the COE FTIC Advising Program meshes with the COE First-year Experience, including outreach, recruiting, retention programs (STEPUP, EFTP, TSTP, etc.), classes (EGN 1002, Introduction to Engineering; Freshman Engineering Design, etc.), and other initiatives for a full FTIC engineering experience.

Will oversee and serve as the Instructor of Record for EGS 1006, Introduction to Engineering, a class for freshmen students.

Compiles and analyzes student retention, performance, and other related data. Prepares student-related reports, Conducts relevant surveys.  Conducts regular evaluation of advising effectiveness.  Prepares and provides data for the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Student Affairs on a regular basis in reporting of performance of the COE FTIC Advising program. 

Handles correspondence, telephone calls, and mail; schedules meetings as appropriate to the position. Responds to inquiries from enrolled and prospective students and the public concerning engineering academic programs, and provides appropriate answers to referrals. Establishes and maintains files of office correspondence, documents, reports, and other records.

Functions in relevant roles of the Associate Dean for Engineering Student Affairs in her absence (e.g., crisis management)

Represents UF Engineering Student Affairs in university, state, and national first-time-in-college student advising initiatives

Advising:

Advises and counsels FTIC engineering students with deficit records and who are not in good academic standing. Advises and counsels other special groups of engineering students, such as High School/AA students, honors students, merit scholars, and others.

Advises, mentors, supports, and counsels students underrepresented in undergraduate-level engineering.

Leads the planning, development, and administration of COE-specific programming in UF Preview.  Garners participation of COE FTIC advisors and department advising faculty and staff in Preview.  Advises and counsels incoming students during the summer Preview program and assists them in the selection of appropriate majors and development of suitable schedules.

Develops effective communication tools to more accurately assist incoming students in terms of course placement.

Meets with potential engineering majors and their parents to provide them with information about the College of Engineering and the programs offered.

Participates in the Engineering Advising Council and University Advising Council.

Assists Associate Dean for Engineering Undergraduate Student Affairs in cataloging College of Engineering policies and best practices.

Student Development:

Coordinates activities related to student organizations in the College of Engineering.  Meets regularly with College of Engineering student leaders through the Benton Engineering Council, Engineering Student Advisory Committee, and Engineering Ambassadors.  Works with student leaders to develop consistent protocols and effective communication.

Develops