UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region. The College of Natural Sciences is the largest academic unit on the UMass Amherst campus, includes 14 departments and two schools, serves over 7,000 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students, and has a presence in 18 buildings on Campus.
The PreMed/PreHealth Advisor will provide academic counseling and guidance for students pursuing health professions careers through one-on-one and group advising to students and alumni based on student success metrics for this population of students. The PreMed/PreHealth Advisor will support the daily operations of the PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office and will participate in yearly planning of ongoing activities and programming, organize visits by health professions schools, supervise and work closely with student leaders in various health professions societies on campus, and contribute to communication and outreach efforts in support of the admission of University students into postgraduate, prehealth professional programs, supporting students traditionally unrepresented in the health professions.
- Provides comprehensive, group and individualized advising to students regarding academics, campus/community engagement, and clinical experience relevant to pursuing careers in the health professions.
- Maintains accurate advising notes and student records.
- Manages the activities and services of the PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office, including but not limited to preparing relevant workshops, writing/editing content for monthly newsletter/announcements and arranging/facilitating admissions visits from various graduate health professions programs.
- Provides career development advising for the health professions, and programming on preparation for careers in the health sciences.
- Promotes state and national programs to students from under-represented backgrounds (BaccMD, SHPEP, etc...).
- Works with applicants each cycle to help them prepare for application to graduate programs in the health professions. This includes maintaining access to relevant advisor portals, writing letters of evaluation, assisting students with personal statements, and coaching on interview preparation.
- Prepares and presents workshops for prospective students and their parents at new student orientation, fall and spring recruiting events and freshman advising.
- Works with Director and Associate Director to develop long-term strategic plans for the advising office using predictive software and student success data.
- Utilizes data analytics and student success initiatives to inform advising practices.
- Attends local and regional meetings for health professions advisors with the goal of utilizing best practices in the field.
- Develops and maintains a good working relationship with a range of support offices on campus including but not limited to: CNS Career and Professional Development Center, International Programs Office, Undergraduate Registrar, RSO; Disability Services, Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH), and Residential Academic Programs.
- Updates, edits and develops content for the PreMed/PreHealth webpages.
- Communicates with advisors from relevant major departments outside of CNS to share information and stay current with important changes.
- Attends CNS (College of Natural Sciences) Advising and Chief Undergraduate Advisor meetings.
- Participates in University-wide professional development opportunities for advisors.
- Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
- Works in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
- Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Two (2) years of advising or other relevant work experience.
- Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, with experience advising students from a range of educational, social and ethnic backgrounds.
- Ability to forge meaningful collaborations in an effort to identify and achieve shared goals.
- Possess the ability to work within a large, culturally diverse workforce of faculty, staff, students and other important constituents.
- Experience working with students from a range of academic abilities.
- Be proficient in the use of word processing, spreadsheets and database management programs.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities in a fast-paced office catering to a high volume of undergraduate students and alumni.
- Possess the ability to remain up to date with a high volume of diverse and complex curricular requirements, academic policies and procedures, and admissions criteria.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Knowledge of the needs of students coming from academically disadvantaged backgrounds and familiarity with local, regional and national resources for academically disadvantaged students.
- Experience in advising and supporting students interested in pursuing careers in the health professions.
- Able to successfully interact with a student body representing a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Familiarity with University student advising data platforms.
- Background in University academic policies.
- 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday (37.5 hours per week).
- May be required to work some weekends.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a letter of application, resume and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.