Assistant Director of PreMed/PreHealth Advising (Hybrid Opportunity)

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.  

 

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of PreMed/PreHealth Advising works in conjunction with the Director and Associate Director of PreMed/PreHealth Advising to develop, organize, and implement academic counseling, guidance strategies, and programming for students pursuing graduate programs in the health professions. These activities and initiatives include one-on-one and group student/alumni advising tailored to the student’s status, hosting on-campus visits by health professions schools, supervision and oversight of student leaders in UMass health professions societies, and communication and outreach efforts in support of the admission of UMass students into postgraduate prehealth professional programs (e.g., medical school, dental school). Supports the daily operations of the PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office to serve all students and alumni, contribute to the mission of supporting and expanding representation in the health professions, and contribute to assessment of student metrics in attaining their career goals. Works closely with academic and career advisors, deans, and other professional staff at UMass Amherst as needed to meet their objectives. This position will be directly supervised by the Associate Director of PreMed/PreHealth Advising who will provide them with initial daily support and long-term mentoring.

  

Essential Functions 

• Provides comprehensive, group and individualized advising to students regarding academics, campus/community engagement, and clinical experience relevant to pursuing acceptance to graduate programs in the health professions. 
• Maintains accurate advising notes and student records. 
• Manages the activities and services of the PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office, including but not limited to preparing relevant workshops, writing/editing content for monthly newsletter/announcements and arranging/facilitating admissions visits from various graduate health professions programs. 
• Provides career development advising for the health professions, and programming on preparation for careers in the health sciences. 
• Promotes state and national programs to students from under-represented backgrounds (BaccMD, SHPEP, etc...). 
• Works with applicants each cycle to help them prepare for application to graduate programs in the health professions. This includes maintaining access to relevant advisor portals, writing letters of evaluation, assisting students with personal statements, and coaching on interview preparation. 
• Prepares and presents workshops for prospective students and their parents at new student orientation, fall and spring recruiting events and freshman advising. 
• Works with Director and Associate Director to develop long-term strategic plans for the advising office using predictive software and student success data. 
• Recruits, trains, and manages student workers as Peer Advisors and Media Interns.
• Utilizes data analytics and student success initiatives to inform advising practices. 
• Attends local and regional meetings for health professions advisors with the goal of utilizing best practices in the field. 
• Develops and maintains a good working relationship with a range of support offices on campus including but not limited to: CNS Career and Professional Development Center, International Programs Office, Undergraduate Registrar, Registered Student Organizations, Disability Services, Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH), and Residential Academic Programs. 
• Updates, edits and develops content for the PreMed/PreHealth webpages. 
• Communicates with advisors