Degree Counselor I
Southern Methodist University Inc

Job Info

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Description

Salary Range:

Mid 40s

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 Department:

Dedman Records and Academic Services (DRAS) serves declared undergraduate Dedman students and is the office responsible for Dedman College policy and procedures, petitions, major/minor changes, and graduation certification.

About the Position:

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

Serve Dedman College as a Degree Counselor and assistant to the Director for Student Records. Primary responsibilities include, but not limited to the following: oversight of all official academic records for undergraduate majors in any of Dedman College's 52 degree plans; monitor progress toward degree completion; certify graduation candidates; administer probation, suspension, and dismissal policies; oversight of transfer credit; other administrative and advising tasks associated with managing the student records of Dedman College's 2500 undergraduate students.

Essential Functions:

• Graduation Progress Monitoring and Degree Certification: Maintain official academic records and monitor progress toward degree completion for undergraduate declared majors in Dedman College. Identify students not meeting requirements and contact for assistance. Process the certification for graduation candidates seeking undergraduate degrees in Dedman College. Certify students across six graduation cycles - Spring, May Term, Summer, August, Fall and Jan Term. Use queries and dashboards to support degree progress and timely graduation. Participate in Spring and Fall Commencement events.
  
• Academic Advising: Advise continuing students on degree progress and planning. Advise incoming Dedman College transfer students. Review transfer work for possible petitioning of courses: Assist in enrollment for transfer students; Continue advising contact with transfer student throughout their SMU career. Review and assign equivalencies for all transfer courses housed under Dedman College. Review and assign equivalencies for all transfer courses that would be housed under Dedman College. Supervise course planning and coordinate advising for newly declared Dedman College majors. Review and route student petitions for post matriculation transfer work, re-evaluation of transfer credit, financial aid appeals and OPT for international students.
  
• Liaison to Departmental and University Offices: Maintain liaison with Office of Admissions, the Registrar, college Deans and other SMU offices in regards to academic records. Maintain continued communication with Dedman major faculty advisors. Assist faculty and staff with any advising and/or academic policy questions. Support faculty advisors with advising efforts. Updating/reporting of the Degree Progress Report system for Dedman College Programs. Review updates to the DPR system via emails from the Division of Enrollment Services.
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  
• Occasional evening/weekend hours will be required for May and December commencement ceremonies.
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A high school diploma (or equivalent) with six years experience is required or an Associate's degree with four years experience or a Bachelor's degree with two years of experience, preferably in advising and/or student records.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

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.

Candidate proficiency in Microsoft Office is a plus.

Candidate familiarity with Peoplesoft is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Submissions received by May 20, 2024, may receive priority consideration.

Deadline to apply: May 30, 2024.

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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