Navigator

About Alvernia University:

Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Through its main campus in Reading and locations in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the university serves 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from around the country.

Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for the development of the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage.

Alvernia University ranks in the top 100 among 2021 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and we are recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to engaged experiential education.

Job Summary:

As a Navigator, you will have the opportunity to work both individually and in group settings with students, providing guidance and support to help them succeed in college. The Navigator provides proactive, intensive, and personalized assistance by connecting students to resources and collaborating with them to create both short-term and long-term goals that promote academic and personal success. Additionally, the Navigator will plan academic workshops and student-centered programs.

This position plays a crucial role in supporting the onboarding experience for new students and serves as a key resource for information and guidance for current and returning students. The Navigator provides a wide variety of direct student support, including registration, and partnering with their academic adviser. Furthermore, the Navigator monitors student outcomes, implements proactive early intervention strategies for student retention, and helps students in making decisions that positively impact their educational goals.

Essential Functions:

1. Provide personalized coaching to promote student success and academic growth by evaluating each student’s strengths and challenges in their academic, career, and personal paths, while identifying factors that contribute to or hinder academic progress.

2. Provide targeted outreach and support services to students on academic notice, assisting them in creating and completing academic recovery and success plans, and coordinating with academic advisors.

3. Communicate effectively with students in a systematic, frequent, and intentional manner using various methods such as face-to-face meetings, email, phone calls, and text messages, focusing on strategies and interventions that promote student success and retention.

4. Provide behavioral coaching for academic success, focusing on time management, goal setting, problem-solving, self-advocacy, and effective learning strategies.

5. Provide follow-up services to students referred by faculty and staff to enhance persistence, retention, and completion strategies.

6. Monitor attendance, academic alerts, and mid-term grades to provide proactive outreach to encourage academic success.

7. Personally connect students with appropriate resources such as Career Development, the Academic Success Center, Claire’s Cupboard, Social Services, Penn Medicine, Accessibility Services, etc.

8. Update and maintain accurate case management notes and student records in EAB AUAdvise, while adhering to FERPA regulations.

9. Work collaboratively with student support offices across campus to help at-risk students reduce attrition and provide input on initiatives aimed at enhancing student persistence, retention, and graduation rates.

10. Participate in student-life events, including but not limited to, Connection Days, New Student Orientation, Open House, Packapalooza, and any relevant Admissions event to support our services.

11. Promote student engagement by encouraging active participation in campus life and student activities.

12. Organize programs and initiatives aimed at improving the student experience and increasing retention rates.

13. Assist students with their initial major and program exploration stages that align with their career and life goals.

14. Provide first-semester advising to ensure that schedules are accurate with the current catalog year’s curriculum and program requirements.

15. Assist students with registration processes by evaluating placement test results and creating first-semester schedules based on academic profile assessments.

Additional Responsibilities:

1. University committee work as assigned

2. Flexible work hours as required by the university or student needs

3. Promote Franciscan ideals and adherence to the Mission of the University.

4. Other duties as assigned by the Director

Qualifications/Education:

1. Commitment to the mission statement, core values, and goals of Alvernia University.

2. Bachelor’s Degree in student affairs administration, counseling, social work, or a related field, or equivalent training, education & experience.

3. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

4. Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications.

5. Experience with academic coaching, personal development, case management and/or mentoring in an educational setting.

6. Ability to use data from a variety of sources for decision-making and planning.

7. Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter with evidence of motivation, empathy, flexibility, and integrity.

8. Established and effective follow-through and time management skills

9. Proven ability to work both independently and work collaboratively with others.

10. Experience working with a diverse, multicultural, student body.

11. Demonstrated sensitivity to confidential issues.