General Summary

We invite you to join us in our commitment to student success!

Located in the heart of Florida, Lake-Sumter State College provides students with the opportunity to pursue their goals and join Florida’s dynamic workforce. We embrace our mission as a community college to increase access and opportunity for all learners in the communities we serve.

Under the leadership of President Heather Bigard, we are embarking on a bold journey to transform the ways in which we connect and educate our students while reinforcing our rich history of providing high-quality education with personalized student support services. We currently serve over 6,500 students each year and plan to grow to over 10,000 in the next several years.

The rapid growth in the Orlando metropolitan area, and particularly in our service area of Lake and Sumter Counties, is driving growth, innovation, and workforce demand in an array of industries offering high-skill, high-wage positions. By rapidly adapting and responding to this demand, Lake-Sumter State College will continue to be the premier workforce engine driving training and education opportunities in these counties.

As a result, we have immediate opportunities for Academic Advisors at both our Leesburg and South Lake (Clermont) campus locations.

Our Academic Advisors provide innovative services and programs through collaboration with students, faculty, and staff. These services and programs enhance the quality of the student experience and sustain a student-centered learning environment leading to completion and workforce development. The Advisor builds supportive and personalized relationships with students, and provides opportunities for students to understand the logic of the curriculum and engage with the college community.

This is an exciting time at Lake-Sumter State College! When you join our team, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with incredible faculty and staff who are focused on making a real difference in the lives of students in our community. Together, we will create a significant impact to meet the needs of today’s students and prepare for future generations.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Utilizes intentional developmental advising methods focused on student success, skill development, and life-long learning.

• Maintains a historical record of all individual academic advising session notes and materials. Communicates with advisees using the latest technology including Starfish and Canvas.

• Assists students with course selection, information on transfer credit review, academic program requirements, interpretation of institutional policies and procedures, and graduation audits.

• Provides evening advising one evening a week.

• Serves as a referral agent for students in academic distress, which includes monitoring and record keeping via LSSC’s early alert systems.

• Engages in outreach efforts. Communicates effectively with current and prospective students, community members, and college employees, in person, by phone, in writing, and by appropriate electronic means, adhering to the privacy of student records requirements (FERPA)

• Delivers Academic Advising presentations to reinforce student academic and career exploration for AA, AS, Certificate, and Baccalaureate students.

• Assist with the delivery of departmental advising services including new student orientation, recruitment, and intrusive advising strategies focused on at-risk populations.

• Participates in College retention efforts; implements student success strategies for specific target populations and or student roster group(s), monitors and responds to Starfish academic concern flags, and provides ongoing support for students on academic probation.

• Participates in data collection for the College’s continuous improvement initiatives and accreditation compliance.

• Participates in the assessment of measurable learning outcomes.

• Contributes to department and division strategic planning and program review initiatives.

• Oversees the recruitment, hiring, and training process for New Student Orientation Leaders.

• Supervise their hours, workload, and payment processing.

• Serves on department and college-wide committees, councils, and work groups.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in counseling, education, human services, or related area preferred.

Minimum three years of professional experience working directly with students in an academic setting in higher education.

Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing in Spanish a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Ability to effectively facilitate advising and recruitment workshops and/or presentations to both large and small audiences.
• Demonstrate good organizational skills and leadership ability and ability to successfully work on a variety of assignments simultaneously.
• Ability to collect, code and analyze data for assessment and evaluation purposes.
• Ability to utilize multiple computer applications to access and record student information. (LSSC uses Starfish, Canvas, Banner, Degree Works, MSOffice, and the Internet.)
• multi-task,
• Ability to successfully prioritize and multi-task to meet varying deadlines, with attention to detail and with a high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment
• Promote a common purpose consistent with stated College goals and demonstrate a commitment to students and the learning environment.
• Possess the knowledge of general written standards and procedures utilized, and have the ability to read, interpret, and follow procedural and policy manual related to the job tasks.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Outlook and MS Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Demonstrate the ability to respond to supervision, guidance and direction in a positive, receptive manner and in accordance with stated policies.
• Provide quality customer service by creating a welcoming and supportive environment.
• Present a professional image in word, action and attire.
• Demonstrate professionalism in effectively communicating and collaborating with a diverse population while understanding and respecting each other’s view of the world, personalities and working styles.
• Conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the College’s standards of ethical conduct.
• Apply effective techniques to work both independently and to create working relationships with others to achieve common goals; successfully communicates and collaborates with others to achieve goals.
• Demonstrate skills necessary to look at situations and processes critically to make recommendations for improvement.

Lake-Sumter State College offers a wide range of employee benefits.