Advising Fellows

Each Fellow will contribute to one project. Project assignments will be determined through discussion with the Fellow, their home department, and the Manager of Advising Strategy and Training. To ensure clear expectations, a final work agreement will be signed early in the program.

Commitment

• Contribute approximately 10-15 hours per month, depending on the project.
  

• Attend bi-monthly cohort meetings (tentatively every other Friday from 10-11:30 a.m.), missing no more than three meetings.

• Attend bi-monthly and as needed project team meetings, missing no more than three meetings.

• Develop and meet project timelines and deliverables.

• Lead or co-lead one larger project (see Sample Advising Fellows Projects below).

• Facilitate community building activities for Advising Fellows cohort (i.e. facilitate cohort meeting activity, optional social gathering).

• Participate in an informational interview with another Advising Fellow.

• Complete a Statement of Advising Philosophy by the end of the program.

• Complete an Advising Fellows program evaluation. 

• Engage in one-on-one coaching sessions.

• Assist with recruitment, selection, orientation, and onboarding of the next cohort.

• Provide consultation to the Manager of Advising Strategy+Training on key campus initiatives and emerging student and staff issues.

Senior Advising Fellows are specialized roles that oversee large scale Advising Strategy + Training programs and initiatives in consultation with the Manager of Advising Strategy + Training. Senior Fellows attend Advising Fellows cohort meetings to keep the group informed and connected with other Advising Strategy + Training priorities.

• Per semester stipend and annual NACADA membership fee (TBD)

• Access to one-on-one coaching sessions.

• Contribute ideas and knowledge to develop a more inclusive environment for the advising and student services community.

• Improve technical, project management, facilitation, and leadership skills by completing structured projects (specific skills gained depend upon assigned project).

• Build repertoire of team-building tools and activities.

• Bring ideas, skills, tools, and connections back to home department.

• Improve pedagogical and assessment skills by participating in the instructional design of professional development programs (depends upon assigned project).

• Forge a stronger network and sense of community by connecting with other colleagues in the Fellows cohort and across campus. 

• Gain a deeper understanding of larger campus student services structure and resources.

Fellows ideally come from a wide variety of campus divisions, such as schools and colleges, Student Affairs, Equity & Inclusion, University Extension, and others. We welcome applications from staff who work with pre-collegiate, undergraduate, graduate, professional, and visiting students.

Minimum Requirements

• 3 years of student services experience, including 1 year minimum at UC Berkeley.

• Ability to make a one year commitment of approximately 10-15 hours per month, with possibility of continuation in future terms; including attendance at bi-monthly cohort meetings (miss no more than 3 meetings)

• Permission from supervisor.

Desired Qualities

• Demonstrated commitment to improving the Berkeley student and staff experience.
• Desire to serve as a consultant to the Manager of Advising, Strategy, and Training.

• Holistic, equity-oriented, strengths-based approach to student services.

• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently, as well as with a team.

• Desire to learn, grow, and contribute as a professional.

Five to seven Fellows may be selected depending on project interest/match. Fellows may work on more than one project. A single project may also have more than one Fellow assigned. 

1. Attend virtual information session (optional).
2. Submit application by deadline, including resume. Candidates must secure pre-approval from their supervisor to apply.
3. Finalist interviews will be held in July.
4. Selection of Fellows and assignment of projects will be finalized in August.
5. Written agreements will be signed in late September/early October.
6. The program kick-off meeting will be held on Friday after Labor Day.

• Peer Support Network: Continue with relaunch of Peer Support Network (formerly Peer Advising Network). Develop a plan for sustainability of the Network. Develop content for a website to connect the community and provide peer advising/counseling/mentoring/ambassador resources.

• Community of Care Programming: Explore, research, plan and host meaningful community care approaches for advising and student services. Depending on the interest of the Fellow, as well as what is discovered during the exploration and research phase, this could include workshops (i.e. The Sweet Spot:  Building a Campus Culture That Supports Both Students & Staff) Advancing Practice session, support group, book club, large events, new work practices, mindfulness activities, art, exercise groups, and more.  Plan and coordinate two campus mixers for the advising and student services community.

• Advancing Practice workshops: Identify relevant professional development workshop topics, invite presenters, coordinate and host, and evaluate.

• Advising Circles: Choose topics and facilitate discussion of small brainstorming cohorts. 

• Advising and Student Services Awards: Participate in campus-wide planning committee, help shape award criteria, review nominations, help plan community celebration event. 

• BOA Manual/Best Practices: Enhance the BOA User Guide to include shared note taking definitions and best practices.  Identify key stakeholders and users for input and feedback.

• Advising Tech Tools Training:  Identify necessary advising tools training for staff and develop peer-to-peer training (i.e. in-person workshops, recorded webinars).

Additionally, fellows will have the opportunity to offer input on the Advising Matters newsletter and website content, as well as to

For supervisors who want to support professional development and the larger campus vision, Advising Fellows is a no-cost program that allows staff to develop skills in project management, while also providing an opportunity for professional networking.

To ensure transparency and alignment, supervisors will be asked to sign an agreement that outlines the fellow’s project, tasks, and commitment. The time commitment from fellows will be approximately 10-15 hours per month. 

Supervisors are encouraged to discuss the Advising Fellows program and workload adjustments with their staff. Participation in the program makes an excellent Achieve Together goal. If you have any questions about your staff’s involvement in the program, please feel free to email advisingmatters@berkeley.edu.