Degree Counselor - Meadows School of the Arts
Southern Methodist University Inc

Job Info

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Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Meadows degree counselor works with the graduate and undergraduate students faculty and staff of the Meadows School of the Arts. This position focuses on ensuring all Meadows graduate and undergraduate students reach retention check-points and on-time graduation in accordance with SMU-in-Four, SMU's Quality Enhancement Plan, and the Moody Graduate School's goals. Those goals are four-year graduation for undergraduates and two to five year degree completion for the various graduate programs, respectively. The Meadows degree counselors ensure accuracy of all academic records by working closely with the Meadows School's academic areas and the central university registrar's office.

Essential Functions:

• Degree Advising for approximately 40% of the Meadows Undergraduate Majors: Provides undergraduate academic advising on General Education requirements and overall progress toward on-time degree completion. Provides orientation, advising and initial enrollment to new high-hour transfer students.
  
• Maintains and updates Meadows graduate student records in collaboration with the seven Meadows divisions with graduate programs, the Moody Graduate School and SMU central registrar's office.
  
• Audits and certifies graduation of all graduate and undergraduate students across 6 degree conferral dates per year. Coordinates student credentials for the Meadows Graduation Ceremony every May and December. Audits timely degree progress for various student groups. Audits and certifies various enrollment reports from the Registrar's office across every enrollment term.
  
• Supports Meadows Academic Areas and Faculty Advisers: Assists faculty and staff with any advising and/or academic policy questions. Supports faculty advisors with advising efforts. Communicates early and midterm progress reports to academic areas to address at risk students.
  
• Use of queries and dashboards to support degree progress and timely graduation. Organizes and shares data with academic areas as needed in support of improved major advising and four-year graduation.
  
• Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A bachelor's degree is required.

A minimum of three years of experience is required. Experience in higher education and/or administrative support is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build relationships in a diverse population of students, parents, staff and faculty. Strong written communication skills are critical.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet competing deadlines.

Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Proficiency with Excel is necessary. Familiarity with PeopleSoft is highly desirable.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend
• Reach above shoulders
• Handle objects (dexterity)

Deadline to Apply:

June 15, 2023

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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