Graduation Specialist, College of Engineering and Computer Science (Student Services Professional

Job Title

Graduation Specialist, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Classification

Student Services Professional III

Auto Req. ID

559326

Salary Range

Classification Range $5,540 - $7,893 per month

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $5,540 - $6,128 per month)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; occasional early morning, evening and/or weekend hours.

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

The Undeclared and Academic Advising department within the Division of Academic Affairs supports undergraduate students—especially those who have not yet declared a major—by providing comprehensive academic advising and major exploration guidance. The center helps students navigate general education requirements, explore academic and career interests, and make informed decisions about their educational path. Our Academic Advising mission is to work in a collaborative partnership with students, a shared responsibility, where the advisor and student are equally invested in the educational process and holistic development of the student. We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our team as the Graduation Specialist, College of Engineering and Computer Science (Student Services Professional III). The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude and an active, energetic mind characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director of Academic Advising, and in close collaborations with the Associate Dean for the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, the Graduation Specialist provides academic advising and information on university policies, procedures, and graduation requirements to upper division, undergraduate, and college specific student populations. Utilizes an advanced, developmental, problem-solving approach rather than a prescriptive application when assisting students with degree completion. Works in support of, and under the direction of, the Director of Academic Advising and the Assistant Director of Advising in the design and implementation of strategic retention programs to facilitate graduation and to develop interventions to promote student success. Provides significant and frequent advising opportunities, makes decisions in individual cases to resolve student problems where guidelines and precedence do not exist, and tracks each student cohort thereafter to ensure degree completion. Independently determines approaches and techniques to utilize in advising situations, and within established parameters, independently determines campus services and other resources to be provided to individuals or groups of students. Recommends changes on a variety of matters both within and outside of the area of assignment.

Collaborates with departments and faculty to plan, organize, and coordinate college-based interactive seminars designed to support graduating seniors. Following each graduation term, analyzes individual and group challenges, presents information by compiling assessment and retention data, prepares reports for collaborative review, and acts as the spokesperson within the area of expertise. Analyzes the outcomes of implemented programmatic changes. Conducts complex one-on-one and group student service advising sessions which involve administrative planning and coordination. Collaborates as a team member on the delivery of New Student Orientation, Transfer Student advising, student retention initiatives, and academic success workshops. Supports students in pursuing their educational goals by providing factual data about degree requirements related to student aptitudes, interests, and abilities. Conducts outreach presentations and collaborates with academic colleges and departments to inform students of advising services, degree requirements, and the Titan Degree Audit. Provides direct support to students requiring Grad Check/Titan Degree Audit (TDA) corrections, requesting information on university petitions, and in need of guidance on applying for graduation. Collaborates closely with the Records to address identified student challenges, using a preventative approach in solving problems impacting graduation. Supports senior students with rectifying issues, providing multiple solutions, and directing assistance prior to graduation. Creates specific action plans for degree completion for students’ deferred graduation and communicates appropriate action steps to students. Maintains a database of students supported, challenges experienced, and overall outcomes. Presents information to Academic Advising leadership regularly.

Reports documented evidence and progress of case studies requiring additional support. Conducts ongoing analysis of deferred graduation data within each specific cohort to identify common trends and errors resulting in failure to graduate and provides solution-centered recommendations to decrease the rate of occurrence. Develops, implements, and assesses programs specifically designed to increase retention and facilitate graduation based on student need and demand. Acts as a liaison between the Graduation Unit, colleges, departments, Academic Advising, Records, and the Titan Degree Audit department DARS Coordinator to ensure efficiency. Utilizes advanced human relations skills and abilities to interact with highly visible groups including underrepresented and first-generation student populations in an effort to close the achievement gap and increase facilitation to graduation. Other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field including or supplemented by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution plus three years of professional student services work in the field. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience. A Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university and the appropriate internship or clinical training in a relevant field may be substituted for three years of the required professional experience.

Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, supervise, and organize programs and activities. Ability to interact with a diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the public. Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action. Ability to advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters. Ability to complete assignments without detailed instructions. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals. Possession of excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to acquire knowledge of campus procedures, activities, and the overall organization.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience advising students in a higher education setting. Evidence of implementation of a solution-based approach to facilitate graduation and student academic success.

License/Certifications

A valid California driver’s license.