Position Purpose & Summary

The Senior Advisor, Previous Learning Assessment and Credential Recognition leads the evaluation, assessment, and formal recognition of prior learning at Trinity Western University, encompassing transfer credit, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), credential evaluation, and related student records. In alignment with the principles of the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT) and best practices across BC’s post-secondary transfer system, this role ensures that all forms of prior and experiential learning are assessed equitably, transparently, and in accordance with institutional policy. The position works collaboratively with faculties, schools, and Enrolment Management to develop and maintain transfer articulation agreements, and coordinates with Admissions on evaluating student transfer credit requests in accordance with university policy and in collaboration with faculty subject-matter experts. This role further oversees academic progression agreements and conducts graduation audits for degree-completion and non-traditional undergraduate students, ensuring academic integrity, institutional policy compliance, and the accuracy of student records.

Key Areas of Accountability

Policy Compliance

• Ensure that the evaluation and application of transfer credit are consistent with TWU policy, BCCAT principles of transparency and equity, and that all processes operate at optimal efficiency, identifying and removing barriers to timely transfer credit decisions and communication flows.
• Regularly review all academic policies published in the Academic Calendar and ensure the application of transfer credits aligns with policy. Recommend policy updates or new policies to the Associate Registrar and/or Registrar. Maintain and communicate a clear, accessible appeal process for students who wish to challenge transfer credit decisions, consistent with BCCAT best practices.
• Maintain a record of transfer procedures and best practices, with particular emphasis on fair and consistent assessment of transferable credentials and credits.
• Work with the Registrar to establish criteria based on best practices for the recognition of university, college, and other credentials towards the awarding of a TWU credential. This work should reference BCCAT and the Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA) and also International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES).
• Ensure that credential recognition processes are fair, equitable, and promote the academic quality expected by TWU.

Transfer Credit Processing & Systems

• Work with faculty chairs to process transfer credits and Letter of Permission applications for Degree Completion Programs and Graduate Programs.
• Maintain TWU Transfer Credit webpages related to the above portfolios, ensuring all public information on transfer credit is up to date and accurate.
• Maintain and optimize all Transfer Credit databases and Credit Banks (internal and external) related to TWU, ensuring their accuracy and that the policies and procedure of each system are met.
• Review outdated articulations within the internal and external databases and work with faculty evaluators to update these decisions.

Academic Progression Agreements

• Represent OTR in working with Admissions, academic departments and other stakeholders to develop, formalize, and maintain pathway agreements with universities and colleges. This will include transfer articulation agreements for 1+3, 2+2, and other similar programs.
• Ensure agreements align with program requirements and institutional academic policies.
• Monitor student progression to ensure compliance with approved academic plans.
• Ensure all such agreements are reflected as appropriate in the BC Transfer Guide.
• Maintain accurate and organized record of progression agreements for timely review and renewal

Graduation Audit & Ceremony Eligibility Confirmation

• Work with the Graduation Office in the Office of the Registrar to complete audits for degree completion undergraduate students in an error-free manner and on time.
• Maintain graduation eligibility data for students.
• Communicate with students and advisors about missing graduation requirements and respond promptly to student queries and concerns.
• Verify program completion and credential conferral dates for all UG students.
• Refer appeals and disputes to the appropriate academic advisors or decision-makers.
• Maintain the accuracy of the student information system (Jenzabar) aligning audit rules with evolving checklists structures.
• Track and triage incomplete or problematic graduation applications, providing advanced case handling such as deferrals and reclassifications
• Serve as a trusted liaison between the Office of the Registrar and internal partners including Advising, Financial Aid, Student Services, and Academic Departments.
• Respond to complex audit inquiries, policy interpretation, and personalized student record analysis.

Engagement with BC Transfer System & Professional Networks

• Actively represent TWU within the BC Transfer System by attending BCCAT and BCARMA conferences, articulation meetings and workshops, including the BCCAT Joint Articulation Meeting each November. Participate in relevant working groups or committees to advance TWU transfer credit and recognition opportunities for students. Stay current with evolving BCCAT policies and BC Transfer Guide to ensure TWU articulation records remain accurate and up to date.

Cross-Functional Support & Staff Training

• Provide support/training to other colleagues involved in transfer credit processes and vacation coverage for team members as required.

The Person

Skills & Abilities

• Strong computer skills, including using Excel to sort data and generate informative reports
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with clients from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Strong planning and organization skills, time management, and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, good judgement, and diplomacy in problem solving.
• Able to identify areas of need and improvement and provide appropriate proposals and solutions.

Knowledge

• Software and database knowledge.
• Knowledge of the different types of Canadian and international post-secondary credentials.
• Knowledge of Canadian and international post-secondary accreditation categories and accrediting bodies.
• Understanding of the current higher-education landscape and strategic enrollment concepts is an asset.

Personal

Driven and inspired by the idea of positively impacting the various marketplaces of life through the development of godly Christian leaders by serving the Trinity Western University community.

A dedicated and mature evangelical Christian with an earnest desire to serve in family, church, work, and community. Affirm and support TWU’s mission, values, Statement of Faith, and Community Covenant. Strength of character and reputation, integrity, focused. A winsome personality with a positive and friendly attitude.

Servant-Leader Way of Life

Act in a manner that exemplifies Jesus Christ in all on and off-campus contacts thereby living out the servant leadership mission of the university and contributing effectively towards achieving the institutional and Kingdom goals of the organization.

Key Internal Interactions

Admissions (Enrollment Advisors and Admissions Services Team), Advising Office, Learning Commons, TEDS, School of Graduate Studies, Faculty Transfer Evaluators for all departments/schools, MarComm, Graduation Specialists

Reports To:Associate Registrar

Reports: None

Standards & Requirements

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in a post-secondary registrar or records environment with direct experience in transfer credit evaluation, prior learning or articulation processes.
• Experience in higher education and experience in working with international students is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a high-volume environment and fulfil the demands of the position at peak periods (e.g. application deadlines and registration periods).

Duties and responsibilities that do not constitute a major change may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of the supervisor either orally or in writing.

Benefits of Working at TWU:

• A comprehensive benefits package which includes extended health, dental, and insurance and an RRSP matching program.
• Annual statutory holidays (14) with generous vacation accruement.
• Tuition Benefit for TWU undergraduate and graduate level courses to enhance knowledge and professional competency.
• Torch tuition scholarship for dependents of eligible employees attending TWU.
• Free access to TWU’s fitness/gym facilities and the Norma Marion Alloway Library.
• Discounts and perks for the on-site Trinity Western Outfitters Campus Store cafeterias and bookstore, as well as shops and restaurants in Fort Langley.
• Wellness benefits (i.e., counselling, sick days, personal days, and health/wellness spending account).
• Free recreational equipment rentals (e.g., paddle boards, snowshoes, kayaks, etc.).
• Free employee parking on campus.
• Special community events throughout the year.
• Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP).
• A positive Christian fellowship environment.

Trinity Western University encourages applications from all eligible candidates who are able to commit to the University’s mission, values, and Christian identity as articulated in its Statement of Faith and Community Covenant. We are committed to an ethic of inclusion and to the equal treatment of all persons without discrimination in accordance with human rights law.

We particularly invite applications from indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations during the application process should contact Human Resources.

Trinity Western University is located on the traditional ancestral territory of the Sto:lo people.