Career Center

Located in the College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Education (CLA UGE), the Rev. Dr.  Martin Luther King, Jr. Program (MLK) is an opt-in academic advising and student life program to any CLA student who wants to be a part of a community of academic advisors from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. These advisors have extensive knowledge of working with students with intersecting identities from historically excluded, minoritized, and diverse populations, who want to learn, engage with, and participate in current social justice movements. Our is an advising community that focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice while helping students develop self-awareness and identity. The mission of the MLK Jr. Program is to provide students from historically excluded communities with individualized, holistic, culturally attentive, and responsive advising in support of educational equity, academic excellence, career development, and wellness. This mission also includes providing educational programming that fosters students' engagement and understanding of the complex issues of race, power, privilege, and intersectional social justice. We promote and support students' exploration of modes of advocacy, agency, and activism that enhance their capacity to imagine a more socially responsible and just world and to be a part of creating it. In doing so, the MLK Jr. Program supports the University’s mission to prepare students to be ethical leaders and engaged citizens.

Our MLK Jr. Program promotes undergraduate student success by enhancing students’ connection to the university and the College of Liberal Arts, supporting and promoting their timely connection to a major department, and creating a bridge to the wider world beyond the university by means of career exploration and civic engagement opportunities. CLA UGE offers programs that meet students’ individual needs, support their search for fields of study appropriate to their vision and potential, and facilitate their academic progress.  CLA Undergraduate Education has multiple academic advising offices, The MLK Jr. Program is one of these advising offices.  In addition to offering workshops, and specialized programming to foster a sense of community and enrich the student experience, MLK provides students with the tools to address academic and related issues through holistic individual advising.  

The MLK Jr. Program Academic Advisors participate in four major areas of responsibility: advising, teaching a First Year Experience course, program operation, and professional growth.  Advisors provide students with a balance of support and challenge, engaging in a professional practice that is highly contextualized, nuanced, and responsive to the individual learner’s preparation, ability, and interests. Great emphasis is placed on equity and equity-mindedness expanded intercultural competence, in line with the broader university and college goals of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. Furthermore, Advisors are responsive to collegiate and university goals in the areas of retention and timely student progress. Academic Advisors are expected to perform a range of advising activities, provide significant contributions toward program development, and continue professional development.  The Academic Advisor is expected to gain a thorough familiarity with the subject matter within the degree programs represented by the student community and with the liberal education requirements in order to advise students regarding curricular planning and academic progress.  

Responsibilities 

Academic Advising (Level 2: 80%  | Level 3: 75% )

• Maintain a professional advising caseload of CLA students (with a mix of students in all four years of progress, and in a variety of majors/minors)
• Utilize the operative model positioned at the intersection of development and learning, drawing on multiple theoretical perspectives in the professional literature (promising practices in higher education academic advising, identity and social learning development, self-agency, and social responsibility) to provide appropriate challenge and support to each assigned student as needed to facilitate the student’s having a successful academic experience. This includes helping students get progressively more sophisticated in their decision-making about current academic plans and eventual post-graduation plans, including careers. Assist students in assessing program options in relation to their strengths, interests, and abilities.
• Incorporate interpersonal, intercultural, communication and equity-mindedness skills to build rapport with students to create a productive working relationship between the student and the advisor. 
• Demonstrate and advance the value of a liberal arts education. Articulate comprehensive knowledge about the curriculum, academic programs (majors, minors, and certificates), degree requirements, and engagement options (study abroad, service learning, internships, and research). Apply this knowledge and understanding to student interactions with the goal of furthering student success.
• Encourage students’ utilization of the college’s and the university’s academic support and engagement resources to maximize their undergraduate experience.
• Support and engagement resources to maximize their undergraduate experience.
• Conduct timely outreach to students as needs arise, utilizing the college’s electronic alert system. Generate individual student outreach strategies to foster students’ retention and  degree progress. 
• Conduct analytic review of student records to certify students’ academic standing in relation to academic probation, suspension, and degree completion. 
• Uphold the integrity of academic and curricular policies established by the University and the College. To best uphold the integrity of the degree and serve the values these policies are meant to advance, exercise informed judgment to apply exceptions when warranted. 
• Be responsive to College and University goals in a dynamic environment, including outcomes related to retention, timely degree completion, support to students in academic difficulty, diversity, equity, inclusion, race equity and social justice initiatives, and participation in key engagement opportunities.

Participation in Programs and Initiatives (Level 2: 15% | Level 3: 15% )

• Develop and conduct unit programs such as orientation, recruitment, commencement, workshops, parent programming, and student employment. 
• Serve as an instructor for MLK 1001 & 1002 First Year Experience course.
• Develop and conduct programs related to civil rights education, social justice education, and programs related to Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.
• Participate in unit, collegiate, and university events i.e. Golden Events for BIPOC students with intersecting identities, and other initiatives, such as review of scholarship applications, prospective student programming, and career and internship events. 
• Identify and report on issues that may impede student progress, such as concerns about course availability or lack of appropriate academic programs to match student interests. Suggest recommendations for changes to academic programs, policies, and procedures that would enhance students’ progress and satisfaction.  
• Collect, summarize, and evaluate data related to trends and make recommendations for improved student service.

Service and Engagement in Academic Advising (Level 2: 5% | Level 3: 10%)

• Stay abreast of current trends and philosophies in academic advising and student support.
• Engage in scholarly or creative activities in the professional relevant areas by one or more of the following: membership in professional associations; attendance at workshops, seminars and conferences; writing and publishing articles for internal e-newsletters and professional journals.

• Participate in professional development events and activities in the unit, College, University, and/or broader community.
• Service on unit, College, or University committees as requested

Qualifications

Required Qualifications for Academic Advisor:

• Level 2: BA/BS degree plus at least two years of relevant advising work experience, or master’s degree.
• Level 3 (Academic Advisor): BA/BS degree plus at least four years of advising or higher education experience, or master’s degree plus at least two years of relevant experience.
• Capacity to articulate the nature and advantages of a liberal arts education
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice

Preferred Qualifications for Academic Advisor:

• Demonstrated background and experience working with students of color, first-generation college students, and students from various diverse backgrounds
• Knowledge of leading theories of academic advising and student support development theories
• Familiarity with liberal arts programs and university-wide student support services.
• Additional relevant higher education advising experience or experience working with college students in other capacities
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Experience with web-based advising software or other technologies used to support student success

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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