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Department: College of Visual and Performing Arts - School of Art
Classification: Education Support Spec 3
Job Category: Classified Staff
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: On Site Required
Pay Band: 04
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
George Mason University's School of Art is a collaborative academic and professional community focused on advancing creativity through traditional and new media applied to varying social contexts.
The School of Art educates artists and creative professionals to be responsible contributors to society, preparing them to be agents of change in an increasingly connected, complex, inclusive world. We highly value rigor in conceptual approach, skill in art production, and imaginative methods for implementing projects and engaging audiences. Each student is given a background in aesthetic and analytical judgment, the ethical framework for professional practice, the confidence to be both self-reliant and collaborative, and the mastery of design and production necessary to thrive as a professional artist in a competitive global environment.
About the Position:
Engages students in interpreting and applying George Mason University, College of Visual and Performing Arts, The School of Art programs and services, requirements, policies and procedures. Evaluates students' academic progress, provides guidance in determining students' academic interests and objectives and aids them to develop long-range academic and career plans. Provides academic advising for a large population of undergraduate School of Art students. Develops quality programs to identify and support students' academic challenges and career choice difficulties. Plans innovative and high-quality programs and events to enhance students' academic development and interests and to prepare students to meet today's job market demands.
Responsibilities:
Academic Advising
Provide academic advice and guidance (from pre-admission to graduation) to prospective and current School of Art, Art and Visual Technology (AVT), students to support their academic and career goals. Provide in-person and virtual academic advising during the day and limited evening and weekend engagements in the environments of individual consultations, group events or presentations, and tabling, for both current and aspiring art students on such topics as major or minor choice, curriculum selection, study skills, scholarship and club opportunities, and other academic-related areas.
- Support and engage students in developing clear and attainable educational goals;
- Understanding retention issues in higher education for various student demographics;
- Effectively interpret, implement, and communicate Mason degree requirements, deadlines, policies, and procedures;
- Regularly review students' semester and long-range academic goals to ensure they are on target;
- Act as academic advisor for potential and enrolled undergraduate students, and answer inquiries and direct students to appropriate resources;
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) laws;
- Develop programs and workshops on academic planning, orientation, and academic status for academic development; and
- Develop, disseminate, and maintain resources to assist students with academic planning and development of academic/career/professional knowledge and skills.
Database Management
- Writes appropriate notes summarizing important information concerning the student contact;
- Utilizes the Mason's Advising Application's database to create and/or participate in campaigns for targeted outreach to select students;
- Manages availability within the Student Scheduler in Mason's Advising Application to enhance the student experience for scheduling appointments;
- Utilizes Banner INB student information system to review student transcripts, records, course registration history, and entering course overrides; and
- Researches and responds to student inquiries by email.
Programs and Outreach Initiatives
- Develops School of Art Outreach Initiatives in coordination with supervisor and the Assistant Director of Operations and Business, Directors, Alumni, and faculty;
- Develops strategies and implementation of programs for recruitment and retention;
- Coordinate events that engage students outside the classroom;
- Attend admissions events and orientation events as representative of the School of Art and engage in outreach to foster program growth;
- Attends recruitment events and open houses within and outside of Mason as a representative of the School of Art; and
- Builds relationships and programming with partners such as Northern Virginia Community College.
Operational Processes
- Coordinate and manage key operational processes for the School of Art, including graduation, honors program, and student affairs;
- Coordinate, monitor and assist AVT undergraduate students with the graduation process;
- Organize and provide AVT graduation information for Academic Affairs; and coordinate participation from the School of Art for Fall and Spring convocation/commencement ceremonies;
- Manage honors eligibility program monitor and submit documentation for eligible honors students to the Registrar's office;
- Monitor enrollment and proactively address any enrollment issues;
- Act as an expert in academic policy and procedure and other catalog information;
- Provides feedback for updates to School of Art online materials to reflect changes in policies and programs;
- Maintains student records;
- Maintains open professional communication with faculty and administrators to share information and align academic services with the School's mission;
- Provides input on student request decisions and participate in appeals committee as asked;
- Provides accurate interpretations of policies and procedures for students, parents and faculty;
- Assists with processing of graduation audits, notifies students of discrepancies and follows up with them on options; and
- Assists with updates to orientation materials each semester.
Other Duties
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or senior leadership staff.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Demonstrated experience working with colleagues and students from diverse backgrounds;
- Ability to develop, implement and manage academic programs and services;
- Excellent organizational, communication and presentation skills;
- Teamwork, collaboration, networking and development;
- Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint; WordPress; and in the use of the Internet;
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and work independently;
- Knowledge of university academic policies and procedures;
- Demonstrated skill in effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently within established guidelines and best practices and interpret and apply policies and procedures for key operational processes within AVT and the University;
- Ability to handle confidential student information with utmost discretion and compliance with FERPA, University policies, procedures, and regulations; and
- Ability to be detail-oriented, organized, and multitask.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in related field;
- Academic advising experience;
- Demonstrated full time work experience in academia; and
- Working knowledge of student record database.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Academic Advisor at Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.
Posting Open Date: April 2, 2024
For Full Consideration, Apply by: April 16, 2024
Open Until Filled?: Yes
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.