General Statement

Using developmental advising as the foundation, the Academic Counselor for Gateway to College & On-Site Dual Enrollment is responsible for activities pertaining to academic advisement, support, and assessment. The Academic Counselor collaborates on developing and delivering co-curricular programming for all high school students. This may include but not be limited to students enrolled in Gateway to College (GTC), Attend College Early (ACE), and select Early College Pathways students pursuing on-campus coursework.

The Academic Counselor will provide academic advisement to a caseload of students. He/she/they will collaborate with departments across campus to plan, conduct, and/or participate in academic programs and workshops to support student persistence, retention, and success. The Academic Counselor will collaborate to ensure strong wrap-around support for students and will perform administrative tasks associated with programmatic activities.

Supervision Received

Reports directly to the Dean for College & Career Pathways

Supervision Exercised

Supervises work-study students and clerical personnel, as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Use the developmental advising approach and employ proactive and sustained outreach strategies to ensure the success of a caseload of students enrolled in an alternative pathway to high school graduation, promoting their persistence through completion, and/or transfer to a college degree or certificate program.
• Perform all functions related to supporting on-site high school students as they complete their education requirements. Functions include, but may not be limited to individual and group advising sessions, career exploration and academic planning, diploma audit consultations, short- and long-term goal planning, early alert monitoring and follow-up, articulation of policies and procedures, collaboration with faculty and program advisors, course selection, and registration, etc.
• Maintain professional knowledge in the field, research new trends and advances in the profession, read professional literature and attend workshops and training sessions. Research and identify best practices in the field of student support services, academic advising, mentoring, retention, and persistence initiatives. Collaborate with the Dean for College & Career Pathways, Director of Educational Partnerships & Early College Initiatives, and others as appropriate on the implementation of best practices with a focus on continuous program improvement.
• Collect, analyze, and report data, internally and externally, associated with the persistence and retention of all students enrolled in an alternative pathway to high school graduation. Collaborate with the Dean for College & Career Pathways, Director of Educational Partnerships & Early College Initiatives, and with Institutional Research on refining/enhancing program strategies and practices based upon this data.
• Collaborate with program team in building meaningful relationships with students by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where every individual feels a sense of belonging.
• Conduct individual and group developmental advising sessions to provide support for academic and personal concerns, create action plans for success, and maintain all relevant records to student profiles and progress.
• Motivate and encourage students through day-to-day interactions and discussions, and regular follow-up on action plan progress and/or when an academic alert is raised by a faculty member.
• Identify risk factors and appropriate interventions, with an emphasis on student strengths, retention, and persistence. Address and diffuse situations of conflict and crisis and make appropriate referrals when needed. Proactively collaborate with other departments to recognize and resolve identified patterns of concern with students.
• Create linkages among academic and student support programs/services to build a holistic network that provides options, referrals, and alternative solutions for students facing obstacles and challenges. Collaborate with campus and community-based resources to provide responsive wrap-around services for students.
• Create, implement, and facilitate workshops, events, and information sessions; develop and deliver programs and activities designed to cultivate academic self-confidence, community engagement, 21st-century life skills, and self-advocacy amongst caseload students; foster a community of support by celebrating the cultural wealth our students bring to the College.
• Coordinate with other offices to provide workshops around career exploration/development, college decision days and next steps, and other opportunities suitable for high school students.
• Assist in the development and delivery of parent and student orientation programs in fall and spring semesters.
• Work with the College & Career Pathways Office to ensure students have textbooks and materials in a timely manner.
• Identify, evaluate, and accept eligible participants; perform needs and/or study skills assessments and create individual education plans for each student; provide/interpret education needs inventory instruments; assess skills of students; recruit students; assist in referring students for child-care services; collaborate with program specialist to report program participation and student performance per requirements of grant.
• Implement retention efforts and success initiatives.
• Participate in annual evaluation of performance of duties.
• Attend regional events related to high school dual enrollment.
• Actively support the teaching and learning process; practice honesty and integrity in and out of the classroom; strive to create a student-centered environment while fostering academic innovation and excellence.
• Work with other departments (Admissions, Registrar, Business Office and Advising) to ensure that credit for prior learning and related activities comply with general QCC policy and procedures.
• Embrace and support the principle that "diversity is everybody's business" through the daily performance of duties and responsibilities.
• Provide flexible, responsive, and high-quality customer service to all whom we serve, be they students, community or staff and continuously assesses processes and procedures to revise accordingly.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in education, counseling, psychology, or closely related field with three (3) years of experience and/or training involving college admissions, academic advisement, career development, or program/project management; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Comprehensive computer and related technology skills, including web-based resources.
• Experience managing a caseload and case files.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual or multicultural, Spanish language fluency preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully building positive relationships, motivating, and supporting under-prepared and culturally diverse youth.
• Experience assessing student needs and coordinating culturally competent educational and community-based services.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse colleagues and partners.
• Possess knowledge of current research-based interventions with under-prepared and under-represented students.
• Experience with Gateway to College, TRIO, or other Student Support Services programs
• Experience working at a comprehensive community college.
• Experience with high school guidance counselor responsibilities.
• Experience with project management, event planning, and/or coordination of programs.

Quinsigamond Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

Quinsigamond Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Diversity, inclusion, and equity are core values at Quinsigamond Community College. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive, respectful, and equitable environment for all students, staff, and faculty. Every member on our college campus enriches our diversity. We support inclusion and are dedicated to ensuring equity in access to opportunities.

Quinsigamond Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) request.