Academic Advisor/ Student Success Specialist

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Working Title:

Academic Advisor/ Student Success Specialist

Institution:

Ridgewater College

Classification Title:

MnSCU Academic Professional 1

Bargaining Unit / Union:

214: Minnesota Association of Professional Employees

City:

RIDG - Willmar Campus

FLSA:

Non Job Exempt

Full Time / Part Time:

Full time

Employment Condition:

Unclassified - Unlimited Academic

Salary Range:

$23.63 - $34.18

Job Description

The Academic Advisor/Student Success Specialist supports incoming, transfer, and returning students by providing high-quality advising and assistance with orientation, course selection, registration, and academic planning. They communicate regularly with students about their academic plans, monitor progress, respond to alerts, and make referrals for additional support. The Advisor also collaborates with faculty and staff, plans student success events, and uses retention strategies to help students succeed and complete their degrees.

A detailed position description can be obtained from the Human Resource Office.

Salary Range:

$23.63 - $34.18 per hour ::: $49,339 - $71,368/ yearly

Minimum Qualifications* Related experience

• Knowledge of and/or experience in post-secondary education
  
• Knowledge of student services/student development philosophy, policy, and practice.
  
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in numerous formats for diverse audiences.
  
• Ability to multitask and be professional, flexible, and tactful in dealing with time constraints and stressful situations.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships and provide customer service sufficient to actively listen to and understand students� needs and provide accurate information and appropriate alternatives, meet quality of service needs, and evaluate student satisfaction.
  
• Skilled in planning, organizing, decision making, coordinating and communicating sufficient to perform student advising services.
  

Preferred Qualification* Bachelor’s degree or higher

• One-year related work experience.
  
• Experience at a 2-year community or technical college
  
• Experience at a Minnesota State institution
  
• Bilingual
  
• Experience working with diverse populations
  
• Experience with academic advising and/or retention initiatives
  
• Experience with Starfish or other similar student success/retention software systems
  
• Experience with maintaining confidentially of private information according to law, rules, policies and procedures.
  

Knowledge of:* College policies and procedures, programs and curriculum, services, and resources for admissions, financial aid, records and registration and student life to assist applicants and students in making sound educational and career decisions.

Other Requirements

In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MnSCU) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on college/university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to MnSCU’s vehicle use criteria and consent to a Motor Vehicle Records check.

Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)

Monday - Friday (8:00AM - 4:30 PM)

Telework (Yes/No)

No

About

Institution Information

MISSION: Ridgewater College empowers diverse learners to reach their full potential and enrich their lives through personalized and relevant education in an accessible, supportive, and inclusive environment.

VISION: Ridgewater College is a student-centered educational leader focused on innovation, excellence and affordability.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:* Enterprising - We are future-focused, and change-oriented, developing creative solutions to challenges that maximize our institutional, system and local resources.

• Empowerment - We develop and empower employees to make decisions to best serve students and stakeholders.
  
• Excellence - We strive to exceed expectations in all that we do.
  
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - We seek to understand and appreciate the needs and experiences of every individual and actively work to provide genuine opportunities for everyone to succeed and participate in college activities and processes.
  
• Trust and Respect - We are committed to developing a culture based in processes and behavior that create trust and respect among all stakeholders.
  
• Collaboration - We connect and work together to achieve common goals while respecting needs and interests of stakeholders.
  
• Curiosity and Creativity - We constantly strive to understand, learn, change, and improve.
  
• Accountability - As individuals and groups, we willingly accept and take ownership of our successes and failures.
  

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State, we have a GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! Our generous benefits include 11 paid Holidays, Vacation Time, Sick Time, six weeks of Paid Parental Leave, low cost medical and dental insurance with low deductibles ($250 - $1500), a Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement investment options, pre-tax medical and dental expense (with roll-over option) and dependent care accounts, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, as well as professional development and a tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents, etc. We promote the health and well-being of our employees and take work/life balance seriously.

Desired Start Date:

09-15-2025

Position End Date:

Open Date:

08-06-2025

Close Date:

08-06-2025

Posting Contact Name:

Felicia Mary Telecky

Posting Contact Email:

felicia.telecky@ridgewater.edu