Student Services Advisor

Gonzaga Global, a partnership between Gonzaga University and Shorelight, offers academic and support programs for international students with a focus on helping them succeed and thrive in and out of the classroom.  Offering programs for both undergraduate and graduate students, Gonzaga Global seeks to increase Gonzaga’s international student population, and to educate students who are interculturally competent and engaged with the world.

 

Gonzaga University is a nationally ranked Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic university educating students for leadership and service for the common good.  Located in Spokane, Washington, Gonzaga enrolls approximately 7,300 students including around 4,900 undergraduates as well as graduate and law students. Through artful teaching from expert professors, a proud liberal arts Jesuit tradition, and a supportive community, Gonzaga helps students become innovative, compassionate, and courageous leaders.

 

Student Services Advisors (SSAs) help develop and support student service programs and successfully execute support services catered to international students.  The primary responsibility of the SSA is to deliver high-quality cocurricular and extracurricular support experiences for program students, as well as hands-on academic support, guidance, and mentoring.  Reporting to the Managing Director, SSAs are responsible for collaborating within the Gonzaga Global team to support students’ academic engagement, social integration, and cross-cultural development in their new academic and social environments.

 

The SSA plans large and small events throughout the year so being a strategic problem solver who is exceptionally organized with strong attention to detail is essential.  He/She/They has a proven customer service approach to working with others, specifically with students, parents, program staff, and university administration.  The SSA has exceptional presentation and oral and written communication skills.  The SSA is a team player who can work independently, is comfortable multitasking, can change priorities to fit business needs, and manages time efficiently.

 

· Guide, prepare, and motivate students to a successful undergraduate or graduate experience and degree completion

· Deliver exceptional student services, beginning with pre-arrival processes, airport transfers, orientation programming, ongoing student services support, and student acculturation into the university providing a strong foundation for the student’s academic success

· Mentor, train, and coach students to support their skill development in goal setting, strategic planning, cultural competency, problem solving, and interpersonal relationships, among other areas

· Assist in the development, promotion, and implementation of programs to support student retention and socialization/acculturation; assist in the design and implementation of orientation programming

· Teach or coach first-year transitional programming if applicable

 

· Support key relationships at the university and at the partnership, including academic teams, International Student Services, Campus Housing, Dining Services, Student Development and Enrollment Services, Office of Student Involvement, Office of the Registrar, and various other departments

· Develop and maintain interdepartmental relationships with on-campus partners to guide and improve processes

· Communicate openly and effectively with campus and community partners in accordance with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) about health and safety issues, incidents, and problems

· Maintain accurate records and reporting for assigned cohort of students

· Track data around ancillary products (housing, health insurance, etc.) and inventory (swag, linen packs, etc.) and submit proposals to Managing Director for budget availability

· Contribute to student services operations to ensure that systems and procedures are followed and technology is used to streamline systems and procedures; as relevant, assist in the creation of new processes

· Assist with the coordination of student satisfaction surveys and associated analysis, with an eye toward improving the student experience

 

· Comply with Shorelight Written Information Security Policy, and all other Shorelight Information Security Policies and Procedures 

· Take responsibility for any Shorelight assets assigned to you 

· Promptly report any security events, incidents, or weaknesses to Shorelight Security

 

· Bachelor’s degree

· Demonstrated interest in higher education advising, student services, or hospitality

· Proven customer service skills

· Demonstrated empathy in managing culturally sensitive situations

· IT literacy (e.g., student information system or database, or customer relationship management systems)

· Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed

· Eligibility to work in and travel freely to and from the United States without sponsorship

· Master’s degree

· Experience in higher education advising, student services, or hospitality

· Experience working with students who face a variety of challenging academic, social, or other needs

· Experience working with international students or customers in an administrative or academic capacity

· Experience planning and organizing events

· Experience working successfully with non-native English speakers

To apply for this position, please visit the Shorelight Careers page to submit an application with a resume and cover letter.

 

Background Check Required — Education, Criminal, Identity

 

Gonzaga Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer.