Student Advisor

**POSITION PROFILE**

The Student Advisor is responsible for providing support and advice to students, in alignment with the University’s objective to educate the ‘whole person’. The Student Advisor will foster and initiate developmental and transformational approaches to advising. While academic advising and planning will be a significant portion of this advising work, it includes other campus services and referrals, community engagement, and leadership development opportunities. The Student Advisor works intentionally and collaboratively as part of an Advising Team at SJU, including Academic Department Chairs, student leaders, and other colleagues in Student Affairs. SJU Student Advisors offer leadership in implementing strategic priorities to provide comprehensive academic support to SJU students. They also support a variety of services and initiatives in Student Affairs in alignment with the Student Affairs department’s objective to ‘facilitate and encourage a transformative student experience'

**Why St. Jerome’s University?**

At. St. Jerome’s University, we embrace and celebrate the philosophy of educating the whole person - intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our commitment to academic excellence and to the integration of knowledge, research, and experiential learning allows us to inspire learning and discovery not only in our students but also in those with whom we interact. We foster a respectful, inclusive community that is centered on the well-being of our students and the promotion of the common good, consistent with the ideals of the contemporary Roman Catholic Church.

**How will you contribute as the Student Advisor?**
- Provides leadership and guidance to SJU Student Affairs and the SJU Registrar for student advising matters
- Collaborates with the Arts Undergraduate Office at the University of Waterloo, and with SJU Department Chairs and faculty members on student advising matters for SJU co-registered students
- Maintains comprehensive knowledge of relevant SJU and UW curriculum and academic regulations in collaboration with internal, UW and its affiliates, and external colleagues, and advises students accordingly
- Informs and influences decision makers and relevant stakeholders on student advising matters
- Apprises colleagues of any changes to curriculum or academic regulations within the Faculty of Arts, including academic department chairs and how this relates to SJU co-registered students
- Reviews students’ eligibility to participate in international exchange programs, co-operative education, and other opportunities
- Develops and facilitates advising processes and academic support initiatives in collaboration with the UW Arts Undergraduate Office and the SJU Advising Team and communicates these to students
- Conducts assessment of requests for program changes and has sign-off authority on course override forms, plan modification forms, petitions, and other similar matters
- Produces and maintains relevant advising tools and resources, and integrates strategic priorities and approaches to align with the institutional goal to develop and ‘Educate the Whole Person’
- Supports and provides coaching for students with mental health and wellness concerns, and students in crisis, and provides referrals as required
- Advocates for students requiring intervention from other service providers both on campus and within the community
- Participates in and supports the development, implementation, and assessment of foundational student leadership programming
- Responsible for the recruitment, training, development, and day to day supervision of student leaders who support student advising
- Participates in the planning, coordination, and implementation of key annual student-focused events for recruitment, engagement, transition, and retention

**As a successful Student Advisor you possess**:

- University degree required
- 3+ years of student advising, or student life experience required
- Supervisory and/or mentorship experience preferred
- Knowledge of the university environment and the undergraduate experience, with a strong understanding of the First Year university experience, and student transition
- Equity, diversity, anti-oppression, and other training such as ASIST, SafeTalk, and Mental Health First Aid considered an asset
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
- Familiarity with the needs and concerns of undergraduate students, and commitment to student engagement and success
- Proven ability to manage a large volume of work, conflicting priorities, and deadlines
- Uses diplomacy, tact, and good judgment when interacting with students, staff, and faculty
- Proven ability to communicate with undergraduates, including distressed and academically struggling students, and the ability to deal with confidential information
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
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