WACADA | Wisconsin Academic Advising Association

UW-Madison – Odyssey Navigator (Advisor)

Official Job Title Academic Advisor
Working Title: Odyssey Navigator
Position Number 289316-AS
Division Division of Continuing Studies
Department Liberal Arts & Applied Studies
Position Type Non-Teaching Academic Staff
Appointment Type Fixed Renewable
FLSA Status Exempt
Percent 100
Salary $50,000 minimum annually, depending on qualifications
Introduction (Description of School/College/Dept/Program) The Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS) unit of the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) serves as the admitting, advising, and academic dean’s office for University Special (non-degree) students, including students who have been admitted to the UW Odyssey Project over the past 20 years. The Odyssey Project, also within DCS, has provided a pathway to over 600 returning adult students helping students to find their voices and break cycles of generational poverty.
Job Summary This Advisor position will support Odyssey students, past and present, with a particular focus on outreach to alumni of the program. This role includes communicating with students about admissions processes, career counseling, scholarship opportunities, credit transfers, and many other aspects involved with students continuing their educational paths. In particular, the position will work with campus stakeholders as well as local technical colleges and universities to facilitate certificate and degree completion for Odyssey students. This position will require a close partnership between both Adult Career and Special Student Services and the Odyssey Project. Specifically, this position will be housed within and supervised by ACSSS, but will work primarily with Odyssey students. The position will also occasionally support other special students and returning adult students in programs overseen by DCS.
Education Required
Bachelor’s Degree
Qualifications Required Skills

– Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
– Experience using technology and computing resources to provide information, communicate across a distance, and manage data
– Minimum two years experience in advising within higher education
– Track record of direct student advising, admissions, or student outreach on a team

Preferred Skills

– Experience working in a position with a focus on returning adult students
– Working knowledge or direct experience in the following software programs: Perceptive Content, PeopleSoft, and related system querying tools
– Familiarity with UW-Madison and Madison College admission processes, transfer programs, and scholarship opportunities
Responsibilities Engages students in decision making processes and promotes appropriate and responsible choices on academic matters such as course selection and degree requirements. Maintains appropriate confidentiality, updates student advising records, and contributes to the development and delivery of academic advising related events and programs. Works to ensure students receive accurate, timely, and holistic advising services in support of promoting student success, retention, and program completion. Strives to create a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

  • 15% Receives, processes, and responds to academic inquiries according to established policies and procedures
  • 20% Serves as a main point of contact for students and provides information about educational options and academic requirements; assists with identifying and assessing interests, skills, and values to match appropriate field of study/career options, and refers students to appropriate institutional resources
  • 10% Implements academic advising events such as workshops, panel discussions, and guest speakers
  • 10% Maintains confidentiality and accurate student records and processes and responds to academic inquiries according to established institutional and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policies
  • 10% Maintains expertise with advised curriculum and may assist in developing and recommending exceptions for policy and curriculum
  • 10% Proactively engages students as needed
  • 5% Participates in the campus-wide advising community providing input to leadership regarding the development of advising, recruitment, and co/curricular programs offered by the school/college
  • 5% Attend Tuesday night FLC from 5:00-7:30 PM to provide academic advising
  • 5% Work closely with Odyssey’s success coach and other team members to identify students to follow up with and reach out to
  • 5% Create a calendar of scholarship and admission deadlines/opportunities
  • 5% Work with the Odyssey Junior teens considering college option
Principal Duties Odyssey Project Development and Administration:

– Expand and develop pathways for Odyssey students as they complete the program, and reach out and support existing alumni of the program
– Receive and respond to requests from individual students
– Consult with school/colleges, departments, and campus partners, such as Madison College, to assess institutional capacity for enrollment and student support
– Lead all maintenance and communications with current and former students, including record-keeping and enrollment tracking
– Collect and analyze data related to student outcomes for the Odyssey Project
– Build relationships and partnerships focused on long-term outcomes with other institutions and participate in visits to local technical colleges and universities to support students

Admissions and Advising:

– Make admissions decisions in consultation with the sponsoring department or program to include the review of transcripts and English assessment tests.
– Serve as an academic advisor, along with a team of other specialized advisors, for current and former Odyssey students
– As a member of the academic dean’s office, act as a resource person for students, faculty, and department staff for student related and academic program matters.
– Manage and monitor student academic progress within SIS (Student Information System) and advise students regarding course or program options while maintaining records of interaction with students
– Consult with admissions offices in the Madison area to support the continuing education of all students

Student Support:

– Work one-on-one with interested students to formulate and operationalize career and educational plans
Application Deadline 11/19/2023 11:55pm CST
How to Apply To apply for this position, please click on the “Apply Now” button. You will be asked to upload a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional/supervisor references as a part of the application process. References will not be contacted without prior notice. Please ensure your resume and cover letter address how you meet the minimum/preferred qualifications for the position.
Position Contact Name Zachary Yafai
Contact Phone 608-262-3282
Contact Email zyafai@wisc.edu
Additional Information The ACSSS and Odyssey Teams are made up of dedicated, friendly, and collaborative student service professionals with a team-based, creative, open, caring, and flexible culture.

Some time outside of normal business hours (M-F, 8:00-4:30) may be required with advance planning for programming and meetings with partners (flex time will be offered):

– Tuesday evenings (5-8 PM) for the Odyssey Family Learning Center
– Wednesday mornings for ACSSS staff meetings

Official posting: https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/odyssey-navigator-madison-wisconsin-united-states