Pre-Health Academic Advisor- Swenson College of Science and Engineering

Swenson College of Science and Engineering (SCSE) academic advisors at the University of Minnesota Duluth assist students beginning at orientation and continuing through graduation. Advisors are key in assisting students achieve their academic and personal goals. Advisors work collaboratively with faculty and colleagues across campus to provide holistic support to students.

The University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campuses are jointly hiring a full-time position to serve in a 50/50 capacity serving as 1) a pre-health advisor within the Swenson College of Science & Engineering Advising and Academic Services Office and 2) a pre-health career counselor working collaboratively and in partnership with the Twin Cities based Pre-Health Student Resource Center (PHSRC). While this person will be working closely with the PHSRC, they will be housed on the Duluth campus. This position will report directly to the SCSE Director of Advising and Academic Services with a dotted line to the Director of the Pre-Health Student Resource Center.

This is a hybrid position.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Advising Responsibilities, approximately 50% of this position

• Provide proactive academic advising for students interested in pre-health professions in the Swenson College of Science & Engineering
• Facilitate learning and personal development by engaging students in critical, creative, and reflective thinking
• Connect with students through one-on-one appointments, drop-in advising, group advising, phone and email communication
• Guide students through the process of formulating personalized educational plans and strategies for academic success that are reflective of their unique set of values, strengths, interests, and identities
• Use a holistic advising model to guide, challenge, and support students and connect them to resources
• Create connection to the value of engagement in co-curricular experiences (eg. internships and co-ops, research opportunities, learning abroad, civic engagement, leadership development, student groups, job shadowing, etc) and how they align with students' academic and career goals
• Assist with new student orientation, to include delivering presentations and meeting with incoming students
• Assist in student success initiatives to improve retention rates, graduation rates, and student satisfaction
• Utilize and maintain advising records using campus and university student record systems (APLUS, APAS, Schedule Builder, PeopleSoft, Perceptive Content, Slate, etc.)
• Assist with special projects or other duties as assigned in support of the units and college
  

UMD Coordinator for UMN Pre-Health Student Resource Center, approximately 50% of the position

Career Counseling (20%)

• Provide holistic coaching and mentoring to pre-health students (current and alumni) exploring health careers and pursuing application into a health profession program
• Conduct individual meetings with students in a variety of appointment types, including: career exploration, pre-health action plan, personal statement, and interview preparation
• Support students in understanding their skills, interests, and values as they relate to careers
• Plan, develop, and implement programming and workshops for career development and application preparation topics
• Develop career content to share with students via social media, websites, newsletters and technology platforms
  

Outreach and Engagement (15%)

• Represent the Pre-Health Student Resource Center, SCSE, and UMD at admissions, recruitment, and campus events
• Serve as a liaison between University of Minnesota Duluth undergraduate colleges and health sciences programs on UMD and in the Twin Cities
• Develop and deliver outreach events for students on the Duluth campus
• Develop and lead professional development opportunities for student services staff including career counselors, academic advisors, etc.
  

Course Instruction (AHS 1102, AHS 3401 (10%)

• Teach or co-teach courses to support career exploration or portfolio development
  

Professional Development & Service, approximately 5% of the position

• Stay current in the field of academic and health professions advising by pursuing professional development opportunities (on and off campus) to maintain knowledge of trends and best practices (e.g., membership in professional associations, attendance at conferences and workshops). Attend appropriate staff meetings.
• Serve on college, campus, and University committees as appropriate
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree plus at least five years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least three years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in higher education and student affairs, college student personnel psychology, counseling, social work, or field transferrable to advising.
• Evidence of effective relationship-building skills
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering student learning and applying organization/student development theory to work with students
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
• Previous academic advising experience in higher education
• Knowledge in STEM fields
• Experience working with pre-health students and/or knowledge of health professions
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative
• Demonstrated evidence of program development and implementation
• Experience with computer and database applications

Swenson College includes all the "STEM" disciplines (science, technology, engineering, math) at UMD.

The science departments include:

Biology
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Mathematics & Statistics
Physics & Astronomy

The engineering departments include:

Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

We are the home of the:

Large Lakes Observatory
Iron Range Engineering Program
Integrated Biosciences graduate program
Water Resources Science graduate program
Advanced Materials Center
Air Force ROTC Aerospace Studies program

We also have close affiliations with the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) and the Minnesota Sea Grant program.

With more than 3,200 undergraduate and 200 graduate students, Swenson College is the largest college at UMD and the third largest in the University of Minnesota system.

UMD is a comprehensive university of about 9,000 students located along the shores of Lake Superior. Duluth is the largest city in northern Minnesota and is part of the Twin Ports metropolitan area (Duluth, MN and Superior, WI). The Twin Ports area hosts four colleges/universities, two major hospitals, many retail and manufacturing companies, and the largest commercial port on the Great Lakes. Duluth has vibrant music, theater, and arts scenes, and a steadily increasing number of craft breweries and award-winning restaurants. Duluth offers affordable housing, an absence of appreciable traffic, and mixes its historic feel with a dynamic urban economy and many cultural offerings. Named by Outdoor Magazine as one of America's Best Outdoors Towns, Duluth provides access to hundreds of miles of biking, hiking, and skiing trails and abundant opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and sailing.

Pay Range: $60,000 - $63,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

The priority deadline is January 27, 2025 and the position will stay open until filled. For a completed application, please include a resume and cover letter.

Finalists will be asked to provide references.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).