Senior Academic Advisor (Graduate)

Senior Academic Advisors provide high quality academic advising to Webster University students, both online and in person.  They also serve in a leadership capacity within the office by leading committees and areas of work within the office and representing the office on University-wide committees. The senior advisor provides support on initiatives focused on retention and completion, aligning with the mission of the office, and may have a specific focus area. In the director’s absence and as assigned, the senior advisor will provide general leadership and oversight to the office. Leading training, providing mentoring, and leading special projects will be assumed by those in a senior advisor role.

Advisors assist students in the creation of educational plans that promote student success, align with the student’s academic and career goals, and follow academic curriculum requirements. Advisors are expected to understand, interpret, and communicate academic policy and procedure, to both students, and colleagues across the institution. Proactive advising approaches focused on student retention and completion are integral and advisors may engage in intrusive advising and continuous follow-up to at-risk students. By building relationships with faculty, academic units, and other academic/student development partners, advisors can guide and refer students to appropriate resources. Advisors obtain and share knowledge across multiple disciplines. Advisors are responsible to their students, their institution, their professional practice, for involving others, to higher education, and to themselves.

The mission of the Academic Advising Center is to empower students to achieve their academic and professional goals while providing comprehensive advising tools and resources to the global Webster University community.

Essential Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide general leadership, training and development, and mentoring to academic advising staff and other colleagues
• Lead, coordinate, and serve on various committees, both internal and external
• Assume special projects in consultation with the director, that support strategic plan initiatives, in line with both the office and university mission
• Understand, interpret, and communicate academic policy and procedure; assume responsibility for policy and operational decisions in director’s absence
• Assist students in developing educational plans that are consistent with academic and professional goals of student
• Assist staff and students with academic problems and conflict resolution
• Act as liaison across institution with various academic units, offices, and departments
• Provide students with accurate information about academic progression and degree requirements
• Teach advisees skills and knowledge to promote student retention and success
• Assist students in overcoming educational concerns
• Help students access campus resources that will increase academic success
• Refer students to appropriate campus resources
• Evaluate student progress
• Evaluate transfer credits for advising purposes
• Review, collect, and utilize data about student academic and educational needs, performance, retention, completion, and concerns
• Acquire and share knowledge across multiple academic disciplines
• Collaborate with faculty and other service units across campus
• Serve on university committees
• Orient new students to the university
• Engage in career advising

Secondary duties and responsibilities:

• Manage high student case load
• Utilize a variety of technology systems to assist in delivering advising
• Serve as a resource for other advisors, faculty, and university colleagues
• Contribute to the vision of Webster University and the Academic Advising Center
• Understand and attention to student development and relevant theories
• Engage in appropriate professional development activities
• Demonstrate respect for all individuals

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, education, or other relevant field
• 3 years’ experience in higher education, preferably in academic advising with increasing levels of responsibility