Nursing Program Student Support Advisor

SUMMARY STATEMENT

The Nursing Program Student Support Advisor works specifically with students enrolled in the Evening / Weekend Nursing Program, providing proactive and intrusive services in advising in course selection, making educational plans, and assisting in potential career and transfer possibilities. The Nursing Program Student Support Advisor takes the lead on onboarding new students on all new student orientation topics, including use of HCC computing systems and is responsible for the retention of assigned students via outreach to those at risk of drop-out and departure and ongoing supportive contact for all students enrolled in the program. The Nursing Program Student Support Advisor also provides general academic advisement via walk-ins, appointments and virtual advising. While the actual work hours are anticipated to vary per program needs, they will occur between 12pm and 6pm Monday-Friday.

Please note, this is a grant-funded, part-time position for 29 hours per week.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

A. The Nursing Program Student Support Advisor reports directly to and is responsible to the Director of Advising and Student Support Services.

B. The Nursing Program Student Support Advisor coordinates most closely with Evening / Weekend RN program students, Nursing faculty and staff, other Student Support Advisors, Registration Assistants, college faculty and staff to include Financial Aid and Records, Finance, Admissions and Enrollment Management, Disability Support Services, CPA, BIT, CARE team, Developmental Education, the Testing Center, Washington County Public High Schools, and outside social service agencies.

DUTIES

A. Provides proactive College onboarding and academic advisement for new Evening / Weekend RN students.

• Initiates contact with new and prospective students shortly upon their acceptance to HCC and guides through onboarding process to ensure they are ready for classes.
• Interpret SAT, ACT, and Hagerstown Community College placement test results.
• Interpret courses, grades, and codes listed on high school and college transcripts.
• Explain information in the college catalog regarding degree, certificate, and letter of recognition program requirements.
• Explain college policies and procedures to students based on individual needs.
• Assist students in scheduling and registration of courses.
• Assist students in understanding general information about the transfer process by providing accurate information.
• Assist students in career planning and development, including exposure to non-credit programs as appropriate.
• Guide students in the use of online academic advising resources, including student email, Self-Service, and D2L.
• Develop academic plans with students based on their career / major choice and assist the student in uploading the plan to Self-Service.
• Explain financial aid rules and regulations.
• Discuss the benefits of connecting with faculty throughout the academic journey.
• Refer students to appropriate offices on campus when needed.
• Document advising visits and student interactions in the appropriate database(s).

B. Serve on the CARE team and provide targeted support, interventions and outreach to Evening / Weekend Nursing Program students at risk of drop-out or departure.

1. Facilitate strategic one-to-one sessions to help students identify concerns and build their own capacity for academic success.

2. Provides ongoing encouragement, support and tapping into students’ personal goals and intrinsic motivation to aid in student success.

3. Refer students to learning support services and follow-up as needed.

4. Utilize software to respond and document student cases.

C. Participate in monitoring of degree audits and progress with Evening / Weekend Nursing Program students throughout their academic career at HCC, intervening when challenges arise by providing resources and assistance when appropriate.

D. Communicate and provide proactive outreach, specifically in the instances where students have not registered for a given semester, documenting issues and challenges that are prohibiting a student from registering and problem solving appropriately.

E. Respond, assist, monitor, and communicate with student cases that have been submitted via the college’s early alert processes, appropriately document for confidential sharing of information.

F. Assist students with registration questions and with navigating Self-Service’s registration functions.

G. Works closely with Admissions, Nursing faculty, and external partners with regard to recruitment and proactive outreach activities for prospective students considering application for the Evening / Weekend Nursing Program and to ensure student accounts are settled appropriate to partnership agreements and finance protocols applicable to all students.

H. Serves the college, as requested, on special committees, which includes regular attendance at staff and division meetings.

I. Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Education or Social Work. Master’s degree preferred; or the willingness to work towards a degree if hired. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working with students in a higher education setting; knowledge and experience working with a student database system is essential (i.e. Colleague.) Ability to develop relationships and maintain best practices for proactive and intrusive student success guidance.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Interpersonal skills to guide students in their academic decision-making; excellent organizational and planning skills in dealing with the career and transfer student population; advising and communication skills to deal effectively with students, faculty, staff, coaches, and community leaders.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Normal office environment with the expectation of working early evenings to serve the Evening / Weekend Nursing Program students while they are on campus for class; actual work hours anticipated to vary per program needs between 12pm and 6pm Monday-Friday.