First Year Exploratory Advisor

Classification: Administrative; Full-Time; 12-Months

Department: Student Success

Flsa status: Exempt

Supervision received: Director of First Year Exploratory Advising & University Foundations

Supervision exercised: Student workers as appropriate

Position Summary

The First Year Exploratory Advisor (FYE Advisors) provides advising support to undergraduate students, with a special emphasis on pre-major and first-year students navigating their academic transition to the university. The advisor builds effective relationships with Moravian faculty, staff, administrators, and students and works to maintain and share records effectively with relevant constituents. This position supports the institution’s commitment to student success and retention.

Essential functions and responsibilities

Strategy and Planning

• Work with the First Year Exploratory Advising team and appropriate departments and faculty for continuous improvement in supporting student success and degree completion, with a focus on academic, degree, and curriculum planning.
• Provide intentional support to a caseload of students while also using coaching and mentoring techniques along with institutional retention initiatives.
• Utilize institutional technology platforms, including, but not limited to, Navigate, Jenzabar, and Oracle Student Management, to manage caseload documentation, monitor student academic progress, and support data-informed advising practices.

General Advising Support

• Serve as the academic advisor and provide support for a student caseload seeking a variety of majors and career paths, with a focus on maintaining good academic standing and progress toward a degree.
• Facilitate course registration and academic degree planning before declaration, including helping students learn and navigate Moravian systems and processes.
• Utilize the institution’s early alert system (Navigate) to connect students to their success network and document individual engagements with students in caseload.
• Maintain consistent tracking of caseload students in the early alert system in coordination with the larger student success network, including coaches, faculty, and other campus partners.
• Meet regularly with students for academic planning support and guide them toward appropriate skill-building resources, including peer education, problem sessions, and tutoring.
• Refer students to other campus offices and resources (SHARE, Mo’s Cupboard, Financial Aid, Counseling Center, etc.) as needed.
• Provide additional support for academically at-risk students beyond assigned caseload as needed.

Data Analysis and Assessment

• Work with the FYE Advising team to utilize student self-reported and institutional data to monitor the academic needs of first-year students and ensure appropriate course registration.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of first-year advising via student and faculty surveys, and contribute findings to the team’s continuous improvement efforts.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Education, or a related field required. Demonstrated knowledge of advising practices and strategies; experience as an academic advisor preferred. Experience with orientation programming or first-year student support preferred. Experience with student information systems and advising technologies such as Navigate, Jenzabar, Banner, or PeopleSoft. Excellent organizational, written, verbal, and presentation skills. Expressed sensitivity to and demonstrated understanding of the needs of a diverse student body, including first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved populations. Ability to work successfully with diverse populations and understand the unique challenges faced by diverse student communities. Ability to work a flexible schedule as needed, including occasional evenings or weekends.

Moravian University’s mission is to prepare individuals for reflective lives and leadership in a world of change. In support of this mission, we are dedicated to fostering an educational and professional environment that is enriched by individuals of varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

As part of Moravian University’s institutional values, all employees contribute to upholding our Community Standards and Expectations [https://www.moravian.edu/about/community-standards-and-expectations], which emphasize respectful engagement, accountability, inclusion, and lifelong learning.

Moravian University is an equal opportunity employer and does not tolerate discrimination, harassment or retaliation against any applicant for employment or admission on the basis of a characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Please see Moravian University’s Equal Opportunity and Title IX nondiscrimination statement [https://www.moravian.edu/compliance-training-development/title-ix] for additional information.

Please visit moravian.edu/benefits [http://moravian.edu/benefits] to review benefits offered at Moravian University*

Work environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job.

The individual is routinely exposed to indoor conditions, minimum outdoor weather and temperature extremes, and moderate noise level.

We welcome applicants of all abilities and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment. If you need any accommodations during the hiring process or in your role, we encourage you to reach out to Human Resources at hr@moravian.edu [hr@moravian.edu] or 610.861.1527 . View the standard physical demands [https://www.moravian.edu/hr/physical-demands] for positions at Moravian University .

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

*Please visit this link [https://www.moravian.edu/hr/benefits/benefits-eligibility] to review the benefit eligibility status associated with this position.

• Moravian University offers students a private education they will not find anywhere else: personal attention and preparation for life with a record of success longer than our nation's history.
• Located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and offering undergraduate and graduate degrees that blend liberal arts with professional programs, Moravian University has been preparing students for reflective lives, fulfilling careers, and transformative leadership in a world of change since 1742.
• Moravian University is a member of The New American Colleges and Universities (NAC&U), a national consortium of selective, small to mid-size independent colleges and universities dedicated to the purposeful integration of liberal education, professional studies, and civic engagement.
• Visit moravian.edu to learn more about how the Moravian University focus on education for all prepares its students for life-long success.
• Moravian University is an equal opportunity employer valuing diversity and encouraging individuals from under-represented populations to apply.