IRIS Advisor

ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY

Title (Function): IRIS Advisor - Multiple Positions Open

Department: IRIS

Reporting To: Lead IRIS Advisor

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation: $49,000.00. Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!

Open Date: 04/30/2025Close Date: Applications will then be reviewed weekly until filled. For full consideration, applications must be submitted by 05/25/2025 11:59 PM MST.

SECTION I - OUR VALUES CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE

At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It’s this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea.

From this place of humility and courage, we’ve built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement.

Inspired by the soul of the West—the spirit that our region embodies—we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.

Colorado Mesa University Core Values

Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others

Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill

Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities

Humility - Suspending one’s ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others

Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity

Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown

Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals

SECTION II – THE SEAT

At CMU, we look at every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships that support the well-being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric organization, a priority is to ensure we have the “right seats” in our organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the seats.

OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS

IRIS is CMU’s first year advising center and one-stop that supports students’ needs relating to academic advising, registration, financial aid, financial counseling, and navigating college systems. IRIS Advisors provide these services in four ways: 1) front line customer service offered at the front desk, phone and email, 2) in-person or phone extended advising and financial counseling appointments, 3) targeted proactive advising services for students in need of additional support, and 4) events and groups sessions.

Utilizing a case management system and Appreciative Advising framework, IRIS Advisors provide holistic and student-centered advising on multiple aspects of student success, such as academic advising and registration, student finances, financial aid, personal wellness, and student success skills. IRIS Advisors support and empower students from a wide variety of backgrounds and are expected to maintain a high level of customer service with all interactions.

• Advising & Student Support Tasks

o Act as an academic advisor for a diverse population of students, including but not limited to academically underprepared, undeclared, first generation, and non-traditional students.

o Identify barriers that students face, suggest solutions to student challenges, and make appropriate internal and external referrals.

o Provide a high level of customer service and create a welcoming environment for students.

o Cultivate meaningful and productive relationships with students, staff, and leaders by initiating critical conversations, having a visible presence, and maintaining regular communication.

o Assist in coordinating and providing proactive outreach efforts to assist in the retention goals of the university.

o Responsible for documenting student appointments and outreach efforts.

o Responsible for training other departments in relation to advising, financial counseling, and student support services.

• Programming & Events Tasks

o Assist with onboarding new students during new student orientation.

o Organize and design departmental events, such as major exploration events, First Gen Day, financial literacy events, etc.

o Assist with various campus events and lead presentations on IRIS resources when needed.

o Deliver instructional coursework for supplemental courses.

• Individuals in this seat support the following teams:

o IRIS Advising Team (Team Black, Team Gold, and Team MAVroon) - IRIS Advisors are assigned to a team of 3-5 IRIS Advisors led by an IRIS Lead Advisor. IRIS Advising Teams are divided based on academic department.

o IRIS Department - Advisors support the Director of IRIS, Assistant Director of IRIS-Advising, and IRIS department operations.

o Enrollment Management - IRIS Advisors support the overall efforts of the Enrollment Management team regarding student success, enrollment, and retention.

o Regularly collaborate with university partner offices, such as Financial Aid, Educational Access Services, Student Wellness Center, Student Services, Registrar, and Student Accounts.

• Leadership, Management, and Accountability (LMA) Responsibilities

o IRIS Advisors do not directly supervise other professional staff.

o Supervision of a small student employee team (1-5) assigned to their IRIS Advising Team may be required.

• Individuals in this seat are required to:

o Demonstrate a high level of discretion and professional judgment in actively assessing and advising students from all backgrounds on key aspects of student success, such as academic advising and registration, student finances, personal wellness, and student success skills.

o Interpret and apply institutional policies, procedures, and regulations related to academic, financial, and student support programs.

Other duties may be assigned as needed by our business.

SECTION III – OUR DESIRES FOR RIGHT FIT

For the success of our mission and our teams, we desire to have individuals who are a “Right Fit” in our seats. We define “Right Fit” as those who embrace our culture, demonstrate our values, understand the seat and what is required. We seek individuals who want this seat, desire to be a part of a bigger vision and have the capacity to be a successful member of our CMU team.

CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS

Capacity for this seat includes knowledge, skills and emotional intelligence and ability to commit to this seat.

• Must demonstrate strong communication, active listening, and relationship building skills

• Must embrace Appreciative Advising approach and student-centered customer service experience

• Ability to learn quickly and stay up to date on current academic and financial policies

• Ability to present complex information in an understandable manner to students, parents, and guests

• Ability to manage stress in demanding customer and student-service areas

• Ability to learn and adapt to new software and technology quickly

• Ability to prepare and present programming to various audiences

• Flexibility to juggle multiple student appointments, meetings, and duties

• Ability to maintain student confidentiality and educational privacy rights (FERPA)

• Ability to communication strategy, facilitate decision making and work through difficult conversations with people at all levels in the organization.

• Ability to embrace change and innovation

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE FOR RIGHT FIT

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

• Experience working with diverse student populations, especially first-generation, low-income, academically underprepared and/or groups that are underrepresented in higher education.

• Experience in customer service, academic advising, success coaching, college classroom teaching and/or counseling/social work.

• Must possess strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently as well as be a team player.

• Strong computer skills. Proficient with MS Office. Experience with Banner student database system experience and/or Slate software preferred.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER - This position description is only a summary of the typical functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and areas of accountability.

DIRECT INQUIRIES CONTACT: Brenna Wilkerson, ()

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information. In addition, please be prepared to upload a:

• Cover letter

• Resume

• Include the name, phone number, email address and relationship of at least three professional references who can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying for. Professional references should include at least one current or former supervisor. Professional reference may also include current or former employers, colleagues or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge and can recommend you for employment.

• Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (if your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire)

ABOUT COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY

A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings.

Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.

At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students' interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands.

The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that’s less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.

Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed.