Job Summary It is an exciting time to join Cal State Fullerton as we are an in demand comprehensive University that is driven to shape the future of education and foster a vibrant community of diverse students, faculty, staff, and administrators who uphold values of inclusive excellence, free speech, and an environment free from discrimination. We are continuously seeking individuals from various career disciplines that share the University’s mission and core values. We warmly welcome you to consider joining the Titan Community where minds expand and opportunities flourish.

About the Position:

Welcome to the Undeclared and Academic Advising Center (UAAC). We support all undergraduate students at Cal State Fullerton, (CSUF) and our goal is to empower students to seek support and take the lead throughout their academic journey. We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our Academic Advising community as the College of the Arts, Graduation Specialist (Student Services Professional III) to support a team of academic advisors and the day-to-day function of the college-based advising program focusing on delivering equitable, top-notch advising for new and continuing students. Our Academic Advising mission is to work in a collaborative partnership with students, a shared responsibility, where the advisor and student are equally invested in the educational process and holistic development of the student with diverse assets, needs, and backgrounds. The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude and an active, energetic mind characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to diversity, openness, flexibility, integrity.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Academic Advising, and in close collaborations with the associate dean for the College of the Arts, the Graduation Specialist provides academic advising and information on university policies, procedures, and graduation requirements to upper division, undergraduate, and college specific student populations. Utilizes an advanced, developmental, problem-solving approach rather than a prescriptive application when assisting students with degree completion. Works in support of, and under the direction of, the Executive Director of Academic Advising and the college's Associate Dean in the design and implementation of strategic retention programs to facilitate graduation and to develop interventions to promote student success. Provides significant and frequent advising opportunities, makes decisions in individual cases to resolve student problems where guidelines and precedence do not exist, and tracks each student cohort thereafter to ensure degree completion. Independently determines approaches and techniques to utilize in advising situations, and within established parameters, independently determines campus services and other resources to be provided to individuals or groups of students. Recommends changes on a variety of matters both within and outside of the area of assignment.

Collaborates with departments and faculty to plan, organize, and coordinate college-based interactive seminars designed to support graduating seniors. Following each graduation term, analyzes individual and group challenges, presents information by compiling assessment and retention data, prepares reports for collaborative review, and acts as the spokesperson within the area of expertise. Analyzes the outcomes of implemented programmatic changes. Conducts complex one-on-one and group student service advising sessions which involve administrative planning and coordination. Collaborates as a team member on the delivery of New Student Orientation, Transfer Student advising, student retention initiatives, and academic success workshops. Supports students in pursuing their educational goals by providing factual data about degree requirements related to student aptitudes, interests, and abilities. Conducts outreach presentations and collaborates with academic colleges and departments to inform students of advising services, degree requirements, and the Titan Degree Audit. Provides direct support to students requiring Grad Check/Titan Degree Audit (TDA) corrections, requesting information on university petitions, and in need of guidance on applying for graduation. Collaborates closely with the Records to address identified student challenges, using a preventative approach in solving problems impacting graduation. Supports senior students with rectifying issues, providing multiple solutions, and directing assistance prior to graduation. Creates specific action plans for degree completion for students’ deferred graduation and communicates appropriate action steps to students. Maintains a database of students supported, challenges experienced, and overall outcomes. Presents information to Academic Advising leadership regularly.

Reports documented evidence and progress of case studies requiring additional support. Conducts ongoing analysis of deferred graduation data within each specific cohort to identify common trends and errors resulting in failure to graduate and provides solution-centered recommendations to decrease the rate of occurrence. Develops, implements, and assesses programs specifically designed to increase retention and facilitate graduation based on student need and demand. Acts as a liaison between the Graduation Unit, colleges, departments, Academic Advising, Records, and the Titan Degree Audit department DARS Coordinator to ensure efficiency. Utilizes advanced human relations skills and abilities to interact with highly visible groups including underrepresented and first-generation student populations in an effort to close the achievement gap and increase facilitation to graduation. Other duties as assigned. Essential Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field including or supplemented by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution plus three years of professional student services work in the field. A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience. A Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university and the appropriate internship or clinical training in a relevant field may be substituted for three years of the required professional experience.

Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, supervise, and organize programs and activities. Ability to interact with a diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the public. Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action. Ability to advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters. Ability to complete assignments without detailed instructions. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals. Possession of excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to acquire knowledge of campus procedures, activities, and the overall organization.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position. Preferred Qualifications Experience advising students in a higher education setting. Evidence of implementation of a solution-based approach to facilitate graduation and student academic success. License/Certifications A valid California driver’s license.