MBKU is a private, non-profit, accredited educational institution, located in Fullerton, California. MBKU is a comprehensive health care university, built upon a legacy of over 110 years of academic excellence and clinical education.

The founder of the Southern California College of Optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum, was a medical doctor, pharmacist, and passionate advocate for medical education. The mission of MBKU is to educate caring, inspired health care professionals who are prepared to deliver collaborative, patient- centric health care in an inter-professional environment.

Created as the Southern California College of Optometry, and expanded to offer a range of inter- professional programs and health care initiatives, MBKU also has a School of Physician Assistant Studies and a College of Pharmacy. This is an exciting time for health care, for medical innovation and education, and for our community. We believe the future is bright, and look forward to advancing it together.

JOB SUMMARY

The Student Advising and Programming Specialist (SAPS) reports directly to the Dean of the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) and oversees matters pertaining to student success including but not limited to academic progress/standing, student conduct, advising professional clubs and organizations specific to the profession, requirements from the profession’s accrediting body not covered by University functions, leading a comprehensive orientation, and developing student leaders and student life outside the classroom. The SAPS is also responsible for coordinating SCCO student events. The SAPS will also provide supportive services to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Support

• Responsible for handling student complaints, problems, and conflicts; analyzes, applies and explains laws, policies and procedures to students and student groups; advises all SCCO student groups and clubs.
• Coordinates and manages student absences and withdrawals and leaves of absence.
• Manages college and federal work study hires for SCCO.
• Coordinate testing accommodations that are determined by Student Disability Services (SDS) and support faculty in accommodating students registered with SDS.
• Works in collaboration with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to create and coordinate pathways for student support and success.
• Manages the SCCO Student Success Program.
• Collaborates with the SCCO Academic Affairs to monitor the progression of students in the program to close the feedback loop on continuous assessment of predictors of student success.
• Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the college; supports an environment of equity, sensitivity, understanding and respect for the diversity, inclusion of students, faculty and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Programming

• Leads comprehensive college student orientation for incoming students and annual programming for 2nd and 3rd year students.
• Serve as the advisor to all SCCO student professional organizations and class councils.
• Manages the SCCO Student Scholarship program in collaboration with the faculty and Scholarship Committees. Notify students of private support scholarships and awards.
• Collaborate with University Advancement to ensure donors are properly stewarded through student appreciation. Supports student and alumni networking and encourages alumni involvement in programs and activities with students. Works with University Advancement on student events that have corporate funding.
• Serves as the Event Lead for SCCO student events. (i.e., White Coat, Pinning Celebration, Fall Scholarship and Spring Award Ceremonies) in addition to supporting the Project Manager & Executive Assistant to the President for all commencement related logistics and activities including but not limited to, student diploma presentation, facilitating the selection of faculty hooders, managing recognition regalia, cords and medals for BSK recognition, and Valedictorian and Salutatorian medals.

Administrative

• Collaborates with University Student Affairs Office on an ongoing basis.
• Oversees and updates the SCCO Student Handbook and the SCCO entries in the MBKU Catalog for the OD and MS programs.
• Responsible for generating regular reports for the Dean regarding student affairs activities,
• Coordinates data collection for ASCO surveys pertaining to student information.
• Contributes to student information reported in annual reports to the ACOE and reaccreditation self-studies.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with broad and diverse constituencies, especially college age students.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Knowledge of issues concerning diverse student populations
• Ability to understand the profession of optometry and its emerging role in the U. S. healthcare delivery.
• A commitment to a culture of philanthropy and stewardship of donors
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Aptitude for and comfort with public speaking
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships in diverse multicultural environments.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, organize time and work productively even with competing demands for attention.
• Ability to form and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, administration, students, and alumni.
• Ability to maintain high levels of confidentiality.
• Ability to solve problems creatively and innovatively.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required. Master's preferred in education, communications, counseling, or similar field.
• Minimum two years experience with academic advising, student support services, advising student organizations and events.

BENEFITS

MBKU provides an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance, free vision exams, short and long term disability, generous paid time off plans, and a university-sponsored retirement plan. See our website under Employment for more details regarding benefits of working for MBKU (www.ketchum.edu).

MBKU is an equal opportunity employer; requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

MBKU is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, it is University policy to prevent the unlawful discrimination against students, applicants for admission, employees, applicants for employment and patients requesting treatment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The University also prohibits sexual harassment and harassment on any of the above bases (please refer to the Title IX page for more information).

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS

All MBKU employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. New employees must show proof of vaccination by the first day of work. Requests for reasonable accommodation due to medical or religious reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis.