Director of Exploring and Pre-Professional Advising

ROLE of the POSITION

The Director of Exploring and Pre-Professional Advising ("Director") position is pivotal to achieving student and academic success goals, because it exists to oversee an expanded Academic Advising staff: Exploring advising and Pre-Professional advising, as well as providing guidance for innovative advising practices that can be expanded and implemented campus-wide. The Director is expected to ensure that undergraduate Exploring majors, Pre-Professional students (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who are applying to professional school), non-degree-seeking students, students considering a major change, and other unique student populations receive both accurate and timely information regarding major and academic plan options, course requirements, degree progress, and other pertinent information from admission through graduation.

The responsibilities of the position includes the overall direction and supervision of the Exploring and Pre-Professional Advising team. The Director will oversee all operations of the advising center and supervision of staff at various levels (administrative faculty, student workers, GA positions, etc.). This position is responsible for the development and coordination of major exploration advising, advising services for non-degree seeking students, and pre-health/pre-law advising for pre-professional students at UNLV. Ensuring alignment with institutional and department initiatives, the Director is responsible for overseeing strategic planning for exploring and pre-professional advising. This position also oversees department event planning, assessment, and coordination of marketing, branding, and social media presence. The Director will collaborate with college advising centers, professional school associations and contacts, student success faculty/staff, and student services' offices for events/workshops, and RPC/student success initiatives. The Director will form and maintain relationships with community partners to aid in development and maintenance of extracurricular experiences, events, and promotion of opportunities for their student populations.

Additionally, the Director is expected to assess and enhance Academic Advising practices to best meet the needs of UNLV students in an equitable way. The Director has final signature authority on forms in order to allow students to progress toward degree progress. This position has a direct reporting line to the Executive Director of Undergraduate Advising and is responsible for working closely with the AVP of Student and Academic Success to ensure the advising center's services are in direct alignment with the standard advising practices established by the Provost's office to increase the enrollment growth and equitable student success outcomes in retention, progression and completion of exploring and pre-professional students. This integrated work also reflects collaborating with an expanded base of campus-wide Academic Advising leadership in order to offer input and implementation for academic advising and Rebel Success Hub practices. The director will be responsible for developing and contributing to innovative proactive advising practices to serve as a prototype for other campus advising centers to fully leverage the functionality within Rebel Success Hub. Completion of other duties as assigned is required for this position.

PROFILE of the DEPARTMENT

The Student and Academic Success (S.A.S.) division is responsible for leading campus-wide initiatives that support enrollment growth and equitable student success through academic and student success programming to promote retention, progression, timely degree completion, and career readiness while closing achievement gaps. Student and Academic Success provides a comprehensive range of programs, services, and projects designed to support students throughout their undergraduate academic lifecycle. Student and Academic Success teams work closely with department chairs and faculty across the campus to support student academic success efforts, the implementation of student-centered and equitable academic advising practices, and deliver impactful student academic support programming from First-Year Experience through graduation.  The S.A.S. team is housed in the Academic Success Center (ASC) and includes Undergraduate Advising Practice, Learning Support (e.g., in-person and online tutoring, supplemental instruction, success scholarships), The First-Year Experience, Early College, Success Coaching, Peer Mentoring,  Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS), Major Exploration, Exploring Advising, Pre-Professional Advising, and other holistic student success programs and services that promote connection, belonging, and progression toward graduation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and five years of professional work experience in a field related to academic advising or direct student services, and 1-3 years supervisory experience. Credentials must be obtained prior to the start date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working with exploring and/or preprofessional student populations. 

COMMITMENT to DIVERSITY and CAMPUS VALUES

A successful candidate will support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness and contribute to a respectful, positive work environment. They will use our Campus Values to guide their decisions and actions and demonstrate our Rebel spirit.

SALARY

Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT UNLV

• Competitive total rewards package including:
  • Paid time off, sick leave, and holidays
  • Excellent health insurance including medical, dental and vision
  • Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs
• No state income tax
• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools
• Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

PERKS

• Employee recognition and appreciation programs
• Connect with colleagues with shared interests
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• UNLV athletics ticket discounts
• Statewide employee purchase program discounts
• RebelCard discounts on and off campus
• Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost
• A comprehensive onboarding program, Rebels: Onboard
• Opportunity for career advancements to leadership roles

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based.

Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates’ materials will begin on 4/21/2025.

Materials should be addressed to the Search Committee Chair, and must be submitted through Workday, as we do not accept emailed materials. For assistance with the application process, please contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected].