Academic Advisor

Westminster University
Academic Advisor, Retention and Student Success

Position Summary:

The Academic Advisor at Westminster University is responsible to provide guidance and support to students in planning and executing their academic goals. This position works closely with students, developing their educational plans, helping them navigate academic requirements, and facilitating connections to campus resources.

The Academic Advisor reports to the Assistant Director of Advising. Westminster Advising is housed in Academic Affairs, in the Retention and Student Success department.

This role supports campus-wide efforts to increase student retention and graduation goals.

Responsibilities:

• Counsel and advise students, individually or in groups, to increase their university knowledge, engage in identity work, improve decision-making abilities, and strengthen their connections to the campus community.
• Guide students through problem-solving on a wide variety of concerns, ranging from registration to personal and life issues, and refers them to resources for academic development and personal support.
• Inform students about available resources and options for university engagement; collaborate with relevant offices and promote participation in such co-curricular activities as studying abroad, community engagement, leadership development, research, and internships.
• Other duties as assigned.

Diversity and Inclusion

• Promote an Inclusive Westminster through demonstration of the commitments included in the Westminster University Diversity Statement.
• Participate in developmental activities to increase understanding and awareness of issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion both individually and as related to my field of work, profession or discipline.

Qualifications:

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least three years’ relevant experience.
• Possess analytical ability to perform conflict resolution and academic advisement.
• Produce, interpret, and present data to inform evidence-based advising practices, programing, resources, and methods.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Must be able to lead, communicate, relate and/or interact effectively with others in difficult situations.
• The ability to explain complex information, including curriculum and university policies.
• Able to work collaboratively with students, staff, faculty, parents, and College administrators.
• Ability to independently prioritize work tasks.
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team.

Preferred qualifications

• Previous work experience in a higher education context, preferably in career or academic advising.
• Fluency in Spanish.
• Master’s degree in advising, higher education, or similar.

Pay will be commensurate with experience.