Graduate Senior Advising Specialist

Department

About the University

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) enrolls over 16,000 students, where nearly 60% are first generation and over 55% are students of color. Located in downtown Denver, we are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs (gHSI) and the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado. As the third largest institution of higher education in Colorado and the only institution with an open access mission, MSU Denver is a model university for today’s students. The University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.

About the Department of Social Work

The Department of Social Work at MSU Denver is a growing academic unit consisting of undergraduate and graduate education and includes the Master of Social Work Program, Bachelor of Science in Social Work Program, grants and contract services, the Office of Social Work Internships, and the Office of Social Work Student Services, Operations and Finance (OSWSS-OF). The mission of MSU Denver's Department of Social Work is to prepare social workers to engage in skillful, ethical, justice-oriented, and effective practice in their communities.

We accomplish this by:

• Educating and training students to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, including those who are members of historically excluded populations.
• Building community centered and strategic partnerships with organizations, co-creating relationship-centered learning and working environments to foster growth and collaboration.
• Utilizing the NASW Code of Ethics to inform teaching and practice, while adapting to changes in the field and world, drawing from a vast knowledge base informed by multiple perspectives.

Position Summary

MSU Denver is seeking applicants for a Graduate Senior Advising Specialist. The Graduate Senior Advising Specialist in the Department of Social Work provides academic advising and coaching support to 300-500 graduate students in the Master of Social Work program, as well as providing support for prospective MSW program students. 

Responsibilities

Graduate Student Advising - 30%

• Provide academic advising to MSW program students in person, by phone or online.
• Use Navigate360 and other advising-related systems to document student interactions, and facilitate communication.
• Maintain an advanced understanding of the MSW program curriculum and degree completion options to maximize student progression and retention.
• Coordinate closely with the Office of Social Work Internships to ensure students are receiving critical information regarding internship placement and support.
• Facilitate student enrollment and solve registration problems and errors.
• Work with a diverse population of graduate students who are at various levels in their careers and lives.
• Analyze Degree Progress Reports (DPRs) at the conclusion of every semester and provide students with an individualized Academic Progress Report (APR) that includes an attainable path to graduation.
• Identify students who are out of academic standing compliance and design a customized resolution plan that adheres to programmatic course sequencing rules as well as Departmental and University policies and procedures.
• Conduct outreach activities that impact retention such as Early Alert campaigns, drop and withdraw support, and leave of absences.
• Initiate students’ applications for graduation and determine who is eligible for graduation in partnership with the Registrar’s Office.
• Design and participate in University and departmental advising campaigns.
• Ensure individual advising services are accessible to all students, to include both fully online and on campus students.
• Engage in assessment practices to continually improve and develop advising services.

Graduate Student Coaching - 30%

• Meet regularly with the MSW Program Director to discuss student support needs and attend MSW faculty meetings.
• Coach students through academic and adminis