Student Academic Rights Advisor

**Student Rights Academic Advisor - **NAIT Students' Association**

As the **Student Academic Rights Advisor**, you work with students at NAIT to promote fairness and ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities as members of the academic community. The Student Academic Rights Advisor works as a supportive resource to NAITSA’s Vice President Academic in their advocacy efforts and provides guidance and support to students regarding their rights and obligations under NAIT’s academic regulations, policies, and procedures. This individual will utilize their institutional knowledge to provide operational support to students who are seeking direct support or to understand their rights and responsibilities when facing academic challenges.

The Student Academic Rights Advisor will also possess an understanding of the complexities of immigration regulations and enrolment requirements, and be able to effectively support international students by referring them to the appropriate department and/or community resources.

**Responsibilities**:
The specific responsibilities of this position include, but may not be limited to, the following:
**Support and refer students**:

- Provide confidential, non-partisan support and guidance to students with academic-related grievances or those seeking assistance in navigating their academic issue(s).
- Develop an understanding of students’ issues and be able to identify and interpret relevant institutional policy, procedure, regulation, and/or related documents.
- Refer students to other departments, services, or community resources as necessary.
- Maintain a safe and receptive environment for students seeking academic support or guidance.
- Act as a confidential support to students seeking guidance regarding their academic challenges. This support may include attending review meetings and/or hearings with the student at their request.
- Assist students with the process of submitting a formal complaint, and provide support in referring to external counsel as necessary.

**Provide operational support for the portfolio of NAITSA's VP Academic**:

- Act as a knowledgeable resource on academic policies, procedures, and practices to effectively support students who come to NAITSA with general academic inquiries or complaints.
- Attend Policy Committee meetings with VP Academic upon request.
- Act as a sitting member at Academic Progression Appeals Procedure meetings with VP Academic upon request.
- Play an active role in annual VP Academic transition and training by sharing expert knowledge on the institution’s academic policies and procedures.

**Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders**:

- Foster positive working relationships with NAIT and NAITSA departments to ensure that students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed academically.
- Collaborate with the NAIT Student Resolution Office (SRO) regarding specific student cases; refer students to the SRO as necessary.
- Provide general support to NAITSA staff, Executive Council, and students in their understanding of immigration rules and their impact on international students’ enrolment, but does not provide direct immigration consultation.
- Refer international students to the appropriate departments, for example, the International & Intercultural Community Centre (IICC) and/or external resources as necessary.

**Report updates to the Executive Council on pertinent issues and information**:

- Produce quarterly update reports for Executive Council.
- Evaluates trends in student-reported issues and provides regular updates to VP Academic and/or Executive Council as required.

**Embrace continuous learning and development**:

- Maintain up-to-date and historical information of academic policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Conduct an annual review (at a minimum) of related NAIT policies and procedures including, but not limited to, the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy and other related documents.
- Take a proactive approach to student support by maintaining up-to-date knowledge on academic policies, procedures and practices, anticipating challenges, reporting on trends, and relaying information to VP Academic as necessary.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of immigration rules and regulations to effectively support international students facing academic challenges

**Qualifications / Required Skills / Considerations**:

- Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, preferably in a relevant field. Equivalent work experience may be considered.
- Two (2) or more years’ related work experience is required in a post-secondary or related environment.
- Certification and/or demonstrated experience in restorative conflict resolution practices, mediation, and negotiation.
- Demonstrated understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles. You have a comprehensive understanding of EDI key concepts in an educational setting and effectively promote