Academic Mentor

Note for Current UM Employees

Current employees must apply internally via ConnectU > connectu.olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi

"The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.”

Department Summary

The Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement (DAOCE) supports the University of Mississippi's mission by fostering partnerships, access, and engagement that cultivate a sense of community, enrich learning and development, enhance research, and ensure opportunities for all. DAOCE is dedicated to creating pathways and providing support so that everyone can contribute to and thrive in the UM community. DAOCE offers a variety of programs and services that strengthen the University of Mississippi as a welcoming environment. These initiatives ensure that all students, faculty, staff, and community members have the opportunity to succeed in their academic and professional endeavors, improve their future prospects, and realize their full potential to contribute to the betterment of organizations, communities, and institutions.

DAOCE is experiencing an exciting phase of growth as we create new roles and initiatives, including the Magnolia Federal Work Study Programm, a new program designed to better support undergraduate student workers who qualify for Federal Work Study. This position will work directly with the Program Director of Student Leadership and Financial Well Being to create, promote, and manage the Magnolia Federal Work Study program to support student development, success, retention, and graduation. We believe this is an exciting opportunity for professionals to innovate as we work together in building this program from the ground up to better support a deserving student population. 

Those who enjoy innovation, problem solving, and creating new initiatives would find this Academic Mentor role to be a great fit for their professional strengths and goals. The Academic Mentor will report to the Program Director of Student Leadership and Financial Well Being and work with additional colleagues in the Center for Community Engagement (CCE). Created in March 2020, The Center for Community Engagement is the University of Mississippi's dedicated unit focused on elevating, celebrating, and sustaining excellence in community engagement across all UM colleges, units, and departments. CCE staff practice a highly collaborative work ethic that emphasizes co-creation and collaboration in project development and delivery. Through a similar spirit of collaboration, co-creation, and reciprocity, the Academic Mentor will be able to work alongside staff from the CCE, the Office of Financial Aid, and other campus departments in the co-creation, promotion, and management of the Magnolia Federal Work Study Program.

Role Specifications

Below you will find classification and compensation information.  For additional details behind the University of Mississippi classification system please visit Human Resource Compensation Page

Family -Student & Academic Services

Sub-Family -Academic Advising

Career Track / Level - P2

Grade - 6

Role Summary

Advises students on complex academic matters, such as course selection and degree requirements, while maintaining appropriate confidentiality, updates student advising records and contributes to the development of academic advising-related programming. This individual also works with students who pose retention risks to ensure all students reach academic, personal, and professional success. 

This position provides academic mentoring and program management to support student success in the Magnolia Federal Work-Study Program. The incumbent connects students to a variety of academic, professional, and personal support services to enhance their academic skills and increase retention and graduation rates.

The incumbent will contribute to the recruitment, professional development, and overall well-being of student workers employed in Federal Work-Study (FWS) positions across campus through the Magnolia Federal Work-Study Program. The successful candidate will collaborate with campus supervisors to establish FWS positions, place qualified students into these roles, and enhance supervisors’ skills in managing student workers. The Academic Mentor will have a dual focus of providing support to students and supervisors, which includes a formal partnership with the Office of Financial Aid to ensure compliance with Federal Work-Study requirements.

The mentor will also work directly with students by managing FWS position reassignments, providing academic and professional guidance, and teaching courses on Community Engaged Leadership or similar topics in student development.

This position's core operations include:
1. Provides general guidance to students who need help navigating university resources such as academic support services, mentoring and career counseling programs, mental and physical health care services, and financial management services.

2. Supports facilitation of student orientations, workshops, and programs on the areas listed above.

3. May support student programs designed for targeted student populations, such as first-year students, transfer students, first-generation college students, and/or low-income college students.

4. Creates and distributes communications to targeted student audiences under general supervision.

5. Updates and maintains confidential student records.

Examples of Work Performed

•    Supports Program Director in creating, sustaining, and managing Magnolia Federal Work-Study Program.
•    Leads efforts in promoting the Magnolia Federal Work-Study Program to prospective students and families.
•    Leads efforts in supporting current students in the Magnolia Federal Work-Study Program.
•    Assists Program Director with various administrative tasks in advertising and promoting the Magnolia Federal Work-Study experience to campus partners and key stakeholders.
•    Collaborates with on-campus partners to create departmental demand for, conceptualize, and create Federal Work-Study positions and practices that comply with federal and university requirements. 
•    Prepares supervisors to optimize student development in the Magnolia Federal Work-Study Program.
•    Regulates compliance with Federal Work-Study procedures, requirements, and practices. 
•    Maintains working relationships with key university stakeholders, including staff in the Office of Financial Aid.
•    Facilitates one-on-one mentoring sessions with assigned students to enhance their educational development.
•    Advises students regarding strategies for academic success, academic barriers, and available university support services.    
•    Monitors students’ attendance and academic progress toward degree completion.
•    Establishes and maintains records and produces detailed reports concerning mentored students, their needs, and their progress.    
•    Communicates with parents as needed and in accordance with FERPA regarding student progress.
•    Serves as a resource for faculty and staff in matters related to academic success.
•    Acts as a liaison between students, faculty, and professional schools.
•    Refers students to campus resources such as Counseling Center and Career Services, as needed.
•    Monitors and records student engagement in various activities and high impact practices such as leadership, community service, internships, and undergraduate research.
•    Conducts a variety of sessions, workshops, presentations, and events to foster student persistence and academic success.
•    Assists with various recruitment and transition events for prospective and current students including support of campus partnerships in activities related to admissions, orientation, commencement and others, as  necessary.
•    Teaches one course per semester related to student persistence and academic success.
•    Engages in professional development opportunities related to student persistence and academic success.
•    Prepares various reports and presents findings; prepares annual reports related to program assessment for internal and external stakeholders. 
•    Responsible to respond directly to individual and groups of students, prospective students, and community partners regarding their questions related to programs' expectations, benefits, and costs; information in the curriculum; campus and community resources; the student's development; the program's development; and upcoming responsibilities and opportunities.
•    Must effectively communicate with diverse audiences, with a special emphasis on listening to understand.
•    Collects and analyzes data, decides needed program revisions, and implements changes for continuous program improvement.
•    Performs related or similar duties as required or assigned.

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following.  Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring department.

1. Receives, processes and responds to academic inquiries according to established policies and procedures, handling requests that require escalation due to complexity.
2. Serves as a main point of contact for students who pose retention risks, providing complex organizational information about educational options, academic requirements, and institutional resources and addressing their needs.
3. Counsels students in identifying and assessing their interests, skills and values to match appropriate fields of study and career options and refers students to appropriate institutional resources.
4. Maintains confidentiality and accurate student records according to program policies.
5. Develops, plans and implements academic advising programs such as workshops, panel discussions and guest speakers.
6. Provides leadership, guidance, and supervision to Academic Advisor I positions.

Minimum Education/Experience

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Experience: (3) Three Years Experience

Preferred Qualifications

Education:
Master’s degree in Student Personnel, Education, Psychology, Counseling, Liberal Arts, or a related field from an accredited university or college.
AND
Experience: 
One year (1) of experience related to the above-described duties 
 

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

Minimum Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements:  These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. 

Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements.

Physical Exertion:  The incumbent may be required to lift up to approximately 25 pounds.

Vision:  Requirements of this job include close vision. Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening.

Motor Coordination:  While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to talk and hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The incumbent is periodically required to sit. The incumbent is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.