Academic Affairs Assistant

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost, the Academic Affairs Assistant will provide administrative support for academic affairs.

Core Competencies:

  1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
  2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
  3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
  4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Provides administrative support for the Office of Academic Affairs with primary responsibility for Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents for Academic Affair roles.
  2. Greets guests and screens incoming phone calls.
  3. Manages invoice approval, credit cards, and expense reports.
  4. Purchases office supplies.
  5. Prepares meeting agendas, confirms attendees, secures meeting locations, and records meeting minutes.
  6. Manages calendar of activities for the academic year, monitoring and communicating relevant deadlines to appropriate individuals per the Faculty Handbook.
  7. Assists the Executive Assistant for Academic Affairs.
  8. Collaborates with University Communications and other stakeholders to update and maintain pages on SpartanNet and the university website falling under the Office of Academic Affairs.
  9. Enters data, manages spreadsheets, and prepares data visualizations and reports that support data-informed decision making.
  10. As needed, assists in the gathering, storage, and verification of faculty credentials, in collaboration with other university stakeholders.
  11. As needed, supports the process, compilation, and maintenance of university and program accreditation documents and evidence files.
  12. As needed, assists with the scheduling and administration of student learning assessments and evaluations.
  13. Assists the university in other capacities as needed that align with strategic initiatives.
  14. Additional duties as assigned.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

  • High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:

  • 3-5 years of experience in administrative setting required. Higher education experience strongly preferred.

Skills:

  • Detail oriented and ability to multi-task.
  • Excellent organization and documentation skills.
  • Excellent communication skills; listening, writing, and speaking.
  • Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet project deadlines.
  • Proficient in using Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to work at a computer station for long periods of time.
  • Ability to move about campus.
  • Ability to communicate and interact via electronic mail and telephone.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

Aurora University
Human Resources
347 South Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
jobs@aurora.edu - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.