Engagement of First-Year Engineering Students through Proactive Advising

Assists in the development and implementation of programs to enhance the success and retention of admitted engineering students; responsible for advisement/counseling/coaching of first-year engineering students; first and foremost, the advisor is concerned for the individual student and her/his finding the appropriate engineering major and necessary resources to ensure her/his retention in the major, not only in their first year but throughout their tenure at UF; meaningfully meets with each student during Advanced Registration to lift holds and ensure adherence to tracking requirements; sets the model for the HWCOE in nurturing relationships with her/his advisees, providing opportunities for students to meet regularly in meaningful ways in order to catalyze development of the students; processes probation paperwork and collaborates with the academic advisors in the Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs in ensuring necessary development and resources through the probationary period; manages the basic communication and transfer of necessary information to her/his student advisees; may design printed materials, web pages, and engaging learning activities and compelling course content related to academic, professional, and personal development. Handles inquiries and correspondence from current and prospective students. Prepares and directs students to resources in the HWCOE and on campus for internship and job placement.

Collaboration and Engagement Internal to Engineering Undergraduate Student Affairs

The advisor must be team-oriented and possess effective communication skills. While the advisor is directly supervised by Director of First Year Advising  in the  Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs, the advisor may also serve under the leadership of other individuals within Engineering Undergraduate Student Affairs. The advising team coordinates activities and engages with students in the engineering summer transition programs,  the state college partnership programs, and other Undergraduate Student Affairs programs as appropriate to support student success and retention.

College of Engineering First-Year Advising Program:  The advisor functions as one member of a team of Engineering college advisors with a common goal of advising for retention of all engineering students. The academic advisor supports retention by providing students with the tools and resources needed for academic and professional success. These include, but are not limited to, the promotion of critical thinking skills and self-authorship, the development of an academic plan, coaching students to overcome obstacles, and connecting students to activities and organizations that promote academic, personal, and professional development. Academic advisors are expected to work closely with other team members continually define and develop best practices.

New Student Programs:  The advisor contributes to achieving goals of welcoming and transitioning incoming students through UF and Engineering new student activities and the Engineering New Student Welcome. The advising team assists in creating programming for new students; promotes the New Student Welcome to all incoming engineering students; and supports the transition of new students to the college.

Student Organizations/Student Life:  The advisor guides her/his advisees towards engagement in student organizations; works with the Engineering Director of Student Development to guide first-year students to appropriate Engineering student organizations during their first year. 

Collaboration and Engagement External to Engineering Student Affairs

The advisor represents the college and university in a professional manner at all times.

• Preview:  The advisor contributes to the continuous improvement of the Preview experience for first-year students and their families.  Advisors are involved in multiple aspects of Preview. They conduct college information sessions, provide individual advising to incoming students, develop appropriate training materials, and provide information for the families of new students to enhance the orientation experience and support the development of realistic academic plans.
• Departments:  The advisor develops strong working relationships with departmental advisors; ensures that all advisees have begun building relationships with departmental advisors before the end of the advisees’ first year; the advisor may develop workshops, seminars, etc. that invite the departments to present and meet their future students.  The First-Year team facilitates communications between students and departmental advisors.
• EUAC and UAC:  The advisor actively engages in the HWCOE advising community through the Engineering Undergraduate Advising Council (EUAC); may serve in EUAC leadership roles or subcommittees; actively participates in the UF advising community through the University of Florida Undergraduate Advising Council (UAC).
• UF Partners:  The advisor works with other colleges and units on the UF campus as needed to facilitate student development.
• Professional Development:  The advisor will pursue opportunities for professional development, including taking advantage of appropriate UF Human Resources classes, participation in National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), and other relevant organizations.

Assessment, Data Analysis, and Reporting

The advisor participates in the development of Student Learning Outcomes and benchmarks that will measure and provide a means of improving advising effectiveness; reports results of advising assessment and enhancement; compiles and reports data related to enrollment, retention, etc., and may work with the appropriate department(s) in preparation of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) information related to the first year curriculum.

Experience presenting to large groups preferred.

Master’s degree preferred. 

Experience in advising and counseling students at the undergraduate level, especially freshman level, preferred. 

Experience in developing and maintaining electronic databases preferred.  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Working knowledge of University of Florida regulations and procedures to facilitate recruitment.

Must apply excellent judgment and exercise confidentiality.

Must be able to work with minimum supervision, a self-starter, possessing independence.

Must be able and willing to work on a team, possessing interdependence.

Must have excellent communication skills, verbal and written and must understand the importance of communication in a team-based environment.

Must maintain good working relationships with faculty, students and staff.