Gateway Faculty Mentor

Per the NFA Contract, Article 10, TMCC is announcing to all eligible academic and administrative faculty that a need exists for 10–12 Gateway Faculty Mentors.

Posting Date

January 7, 2019

Background

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents (BOR) has prioritized math and English completion and consequently has issued a policy (BOR Handbook Title 4, Chapter 16, Section 1) that requires students who want to earn a degree or certificate to complete their college-level math and English courses within two semesters (3 semesters for math for STEM majors) after enrolling at TMCC. The policy is based on national data showing that students who complete their college-level math and English courses early have much higher rates of earning a degree. It is called the "Gateway" policy because math and English courses are gateways to student success.

Description

Gateway faculty mentors will assist with overall retention and persistence efforts as well as math and English course enrollment and completion during the Spring 2019 semester. The primary objectives will be to help retain part-time degree seeking students, and enroll them in the math and English courses that are appropriate to their placement levels and degree plans. Mentors will receive extensive, ongoing training on technology and relevant advising policies and practices have scheduled times on campus where they will call and meet with students face-to-face.

Scope of Work

January 17 through May 31, with estimated time of 6 hours per week.

Responsibilities and Deliverables

  1. Become familiar with BOR Policy (Title 4, Chapter 16, Section 1) and inform students.
  2. Attend scheduled, mandatory trainings on advising policies and practices, including math and English course placement and the use of appropriate technologies beginning in January and continuing throughout the Spring 2019 semester. We anticipate the first training to be scheduled Jan. 11, 2019.
  3. Schedule 6 hours/week with the coordinating academic advisor and be on campus at the designated area and scheduled time to call and/or meet with students in person.
  4. Connect with Math and English students and encourage them to complete their courses.
  5. Help ensure that students enroll in Math and English courses appropriate for their degree plan in the Spring 2019 Semester.
  6. Document the discussions and outcomes of all electronic, phone, or in-person advisement conversations or meetings with students.
  7. Work with Math and English Department administrative assistants and academic advisors to remove registration and drop holds and switch Math and English course sections.
  8. Respond to student questions in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner.
  9. Follow up on Early Alerts in Starfish.
  10. Communicate regularly with the academic advisor assigned to coordinate all mentors and with the administrative assistants in the math and English departments.

Qualifications

  • Minimum:
    • Current academic or administrative faculty member at TMCC.
    • One year experience working with students in higher education
    • Demonstrated rapport with students
    • Excellent oral communication skills
    • Basic end-user knowledge of PeopleSoft and Canvas as well as high comfort level and ability to learn new software
  • Preferred:
    • At least one year experience as a part-time faculty member in higher education, or
    • At least one year experience as a math or English faculty member in higher education

Compensation

$2,500; contingent upon renewal of funding.

Reports To

TMCC's Academic Advising Office. An academic advisor will be assigned to coordinate all Gateway faculty mentors.

Application Process

Interested faculty must submit the following to both the Academic Advising Director and Associate Dean of Assessment and Planning (Melissa Deadmond), no later than 5 p.m. on January 25, 2019:

New Applicants (You were not previously a Gateway Faculty Mentor in Fall 2018)

  1. A cover letter of no more than two paragraphs describing your interest in becoming a Gateway faculty mentor, including your philosophy of higher education and desire to work with students.
  2. A resume of no more than two pages outlining your educational background, work experience in higher education, and work experience with underserved student populations including part-time students.
  3. A list of anticipated courses taught, including credit hours, for the Spring 2019 semester.

Continuing Applicants (You were previously a Gateway Faculty Mentor in Fall 2018)

  1. A cover letter of no more than two paragraphs describing how you fulfilled the mentor responsibilities during the Fall 2018 semester and why you want to continue to serve as a mentor.
  2. A list of anticipated courses taught, including credit hours, for the Spring 2019 semester.

Selection Process

Applicants will be notified of a decision by January 28, 2019.

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