Dean of Academic & College Advising

Position Description

Overview: The Dean of Academic & College Advising shall be a born-again college graduate who feels called by God to use his/her administrative gifts within a Christian school.  Other qualifications may be added by the Head of School as deemed appropriate.

Reports to: School of Rhetoric Head

Evaluation: The Dean of Academic & College Advising performance will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the board’s policy on evaluation of professional personnel and this job description.

Status: Full-time

BASIC FUNCTION

In alignment with our school’s mission, the Academic & College Advising program supports Veritas families and their students as they prepare for higher education. The department commits to provide each student individual guidance throughout the college preparation process and to support alumni in their pursuits beyond Veritas.

Just as each student is unique, our goal is to provide support that is individualized for each student’s specific priorities and goals. The advising department at Veritas supports students and families in a college application process that is thoughtful, exploratory, and reflective (and dare we say enjoyable?).  The Dean of Academic & College Advising oversees the advising department, walking students and families through a four-year curriculum, and overseeing all activities related to guiding each student to their next educational pursuit.

The Dean of Academic & College Advising oversees and executes all functions related to supporting students and families in Veritas Academy’s School of Rhetoric (grades 9-12) in their academic path, both during their time at Veritas and in their transition to higher education. The Dean of Academic & College Advising builds productive relationships with students, parents, colleges, and universities.

Though almost all Veritas graduates proceed directly to higher education, we encourage and support those who pursue gap year programs and other/alternative paths. The Dean of Academic & College Advising provides the resources, guidance, and programming necessary to support each student’s unique academic path.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Supervise and oversee all activities in guiding students through their graduation from Veritas to a context beyond graduation that best fits their unique talents, priorities, interests, and goals.
• Lead and supervise staff in the advising department, conduct the annual review process for direct reports.
• Work collaboratively with academic leaders at Veritas Academy, serve on the Academic Team and provide reports and information to the Head of School as requested.
• Collaborate with Academic Dean, Registrar, Learning Support Specialists, Family Ministries Director, and others as a member of the Student Support Services team.
• Manage a caseload of approximately 80-120 students in grades 9-12.
• Develop positive relationships with parents and students based on mutual trust and respect.
• Serve as representative of Veritas Academy to colleges and universities, and build relationships with admissions professionals.
• Engage in robust, ongoing professional development, including maintaining active membership in professional organizations (TACAC, NACAC, et al.), attending conferences, fly-in programs, and visiting colleges and universities (will require periodic travel).
• Help to create opportunities for students to interact with colleges which may include college visits to Veritas, college fairs, and by providing information regarding other opportunities for students including advice on visiting colleges and admissions interviews.
  Plan, oversee and help execute all activities related to a four-year advising curriculum.
• Counsel students on their high school academic choices, course planning, and work with parents and students to address academic issues as they arise.
• Work with students and parents in large group, individual, and small-group settings.
• Educate students and parents about colleges, the college admissions process, trends, procedures, standardized testing, and essays. This should include advising prospective college athletes on NCAA and NAIA eligibility and athletic recruitment, fine and performing arts auditions and portfolios, and admission to US service academies.
• Create, compile and send school paperwork for college applications including letters of recommendation for all students assigned.
• Train faculty on writing letters of recommendation, oversee the recommendation process for staff and students.
• Manage deadlines throughout the college application process.
• Assist students and families through the application process.
• Advise students on writing their essays, provide instruction and give personal feedback to students.
• Track, analyze and collect data on all college admissions decisions and scholarships.
• Serve as a system administrator for Scoir. Utilize Facts/RenWeb, Slate, College Board, and other web-based tools for data and documentation as needed.
• Oversee standardized testing for grades 9-12, including oversight of the PSAT, AP, and the annual Practice ACT.
• Work with the communications and marketing team to create content for the college advising portion of the webpage, update the school profile for colleges and other documents annually, and send periodic communications to parents, students and staff.
• Manage the school’s relationship with NCAA, including course approval and documentation for prospective college athletes.
• Manage the school’s relationship with National Merit Scholarship Corporation, student applications and recognitions.
• Advise newly admitted students to the Veritas School of Rhetoric on course choices, transfer credits and graduation plans.
• Contribute to the school community by maintaining a positive attitude, fulfilling all required duties, and attending required events throughout the year, including professional development and faculty meetings.
• Promote the mission of Veritas Academy individually and institutionally, support and implement the philosophy of a classical Christian education, and participate in building faith in the community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Required Personal Qualities

• Have received Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior and believe that the Bible is God’s Word and standard for faith and daily living.
• Be in whole-hearted agreement with Veritas Academy’s Statements on Faith, Life, and Conduct.
• Be a Christian role model in attitude, speech, and action toward others (Luke 6:40). This includes being committed to God’s biblical standards for sexual conduct.
• Be a Christian who is, and will remain during the period of employment, an active member of a Christ-centered church, growing in his/her Christian relationship with God, and actively practicing and exhibiting Christian principles of the Christian faith.
• Be spiritually mature and consistently maintain a daily devotional and prayer life.
• Recognize the role of parents as primarily responsible before God for their children’s education and be prepared to assist them in that task.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present information effectively to an audience.
• Proven ability to cultivate productive, professional relationships.
• Ability to analyze and draw conclusions from data.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Google Calendar and email with the ability to quickly learn new technologies.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree.
3+ years experience in education, college admissions, or other related experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

Master’s Degree in a relevant field.
2+ years experience in college admissions or college counseling.

Physical Demands

• Take CPR and first aid training and be willing and able to render such aid when necessary.
• Ability to walk long distances on college campuses and to travel.

The purpose of this job description is to describe the basic function, major responsibilities/tasks, and essential functions of each job so that employees can better know what is expected of them.  The descriptions also provide information useful for recruiting, training, and performance appraisal.  This document does not create an employment contract, nor does it modify the at-will employment status of any employee.  This job description is not meant to inhibit employee creativity or innovation.  It may be revised when necessary.

Veritas Academy has a racially nondiscriminatory employment policy.  Veritas Academy does not discriminate against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin.