Undergraduate Advisor/coordinator

Overview:
**Term: 1 Year**

The Undergraduate Advisor/Coordinator (Advisor) enhances the quality of the undergraduate student experience in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), and is a key contributor to student success. To this end, the Advisor directly participates in ECE’s initiatives to improve retention rates and fourth year graduation rates. The Advisor is responsible for the administration of either the Electrical or Computer Engineering undergraduate programs, and coordinates with four interdisciplinary undergraduate programs in Software Engineering, Nanotechnology Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. The Advisor must be able to work professionally and effectively with students, faculty, and staff to ensure a welcoming environment for a diverse community.

The Advisor plays a critical role in student retention, persistence, and success. The Advisor supports students in meeting the heavy demands related to the professional academic programs and curricular requirements. The type of advising required for upper year students is more consultative and interactive than directive. This position provides ongoing advice; guidance and problem solving to address any obstacles to academic success and help students meet their learning needs. The Advisor also engages with students having difficulty with non-academic issues such as personal, medical, financial, or relationship issues. S/he reaches out to students who are at risk of attrition in a timely manner and provides guidance to those who are experiencing difficulties within the academic environment.

**Responsibilities**:
Academic Advising and Student Support
- Facilitates resolution of academic problems, conflicts, concerns, etc. with the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies (Associate Chair), faculty Program Advisor, Manager Undergraduate Studies (Manager);
- Investigates problematic inquiries and advocates on behalf of students having difficulties who require accommodations/ concessions or non-standard arrangements;
- Monitors progress of academically “at risk” students and works proactively with them to encourage their success and continued enrollment;
- Advises students about alternatives, limitations, and possible consequences of academic decisions pertaining to course selection or program decisions;
- Provides advice or direction on academic issues to help students cope with stressful circumstances or negative academic decisions such as continuation in a program or withdrawal from the University;
- Provides information to students about appropriate resources to improve their academic performance and standing;
- Assists students in exploring services, resources and programs to improve skills, build student resiliency, and increase academic success and independence;
- Liaises between and students and faculty/departments to facilitate appropriate resolution of disputes and advocate appropriately in order to directly and positively impact student degree progress;
- Manages sensitive situations and resolves complaints at an early stage to minimize conflict and prevent escalation;
- Assesses student needs during periods of personal and academic crisis and provides procedural guidance on petitions, withdrawal from the University, and other academic issues as well as making recommendations regarding plans of actions;
- Advising students on other matters including personal stress management or accommodations for disabilities;
- Provides assistance on non-academic matters as needed, refers students to appropriate campus services for assistance e.g. Health Services, Counselling Services during periods of personal or academic crises;
- Work effectively with students with diverse needs and backgrounds and respect their cultural contexts;
- Assists students in investigating alternate educational options;
- Maintains a broad knowledge of initiatives for enhancing student success and remains current on the needs of undergraduate students, best practices in student development and engagement

Undergraduate Program Administration
- Serves as the students’ liaison to aid in their success in the programs;
- Ensures students meet minimum enrollment requirements and assist students with course registration and resolution of problems as required;
- Coordinates submission and tracks 200+ Work Term Reports each term in database;
- Coordinates TPM results;
- Monitors completion of milestones such as work terms, Technical Presentation, etc.;
- Reviews students’ progression reports to ensure continued progress towards promotion and continuation requirements;
- Identifies academic progress issues, notifies students who are at risk and utilizes pro-active intervention strategies for students who otherwise might not seed advising;
- Works with the Examinations and Promotions Officer on petition and motion cases, and creates petition summaries for the committee;
- Coordinates and proctors deferred examinations and supplemental exams;
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