The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
Job Summary
The Assistant Director of PreMed/PreHealth Advising works in conjunction with the Director and Associate Director of PreMed/PreHealth Advising to develop, organize, and implement academic counseling, guidance strategies, and programming for students pursuing graduate programs in the health professions. These activities and initiatives include one-on-one and group student/alumni advising tailored to the student’s status, hosting on-campus visits by health professions schools, supervision and oversight of student leaders in UMass health professions societies, and communication and outreach efforts in support of the admission of UMass students into postgraduate prehealth professional programs (e.g., medical school, dental school). Supports the daily operations of the PreMed/PreHealth Advising Office to serve all students and alumni, contribute to the mission of supporting and expanding representation in the health professions, and contribute to assessment of student metrics in attaining their career goals. Works closely with academic and career advisors, deans, and other professional staff at UMass Amherst as needed to meet their objectives. This position will be directly supervised by the Associate Director of PreMed/PreHealth Advising who will provide them with initial daily support and long-term mentoring.
Essential Functions
- Provides comprehensive, group and individualized advising to students regarding academics, campus/community engagement, and clinical experience relevant to pursuing acceptance to graduate programs 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.
- Recruits, trains, and manages student workers as Peer Advisors and Media Interns.
- 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, Registered Student Organizations, 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.
Other Functions
- Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality and inclusiveness.
- Works in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
- Performs 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.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment.
Work Schedule
- 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.
Salary Information
Level 26
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals at: Inclusive Excellence : College of Natural Sciences : UMass Amherst, and For the Common Good - 2024-2034 : Strategic Plan : UMass Amherst.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.