Director Academic Advising

Directs the provision of comprehensive academic advising services for a college or large unit.

• Establishes objectives and goals. Develops, implements, evaluates, maintains and modifies policies, procedures, and practices under the rubric of academic advising, including academic counseling, admissions, re-admissions, orientation, and registration. Delivers effective developmental advising informed by the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff.
• Plans, delivers, and evaluates programs and materials to support advising, academic counseling, recruitment, and retention goals. Leads inclusive outreach and recruitment of staff and student employees. Designs and delivers initiatives that promote student success.
• Supervises advising office staff to ensure the provision of excellent service to students. Oversees and provides professional advising services concerning University, college and department academic curricular and other requirements.
• Directs advising office operations, including the control of budgets, the acquisition and allocation of resources, the creation of protocols, the provision of data and reports and the maintenance and auditing of records.
• Represents the college on university committees impacting academic life and contributes to policy development. Collaborates effectively with faculty, staff, and students from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Participates in the establishment of academic requirements and course equivalencies. Engages in curriculum review.
• Creates, reviews and updates graduation plans with students to promote personal growth, academic excellence, career development, and timely degree completion.
• Promotes and participates in professional development focused on the unique needs of students, faculty and staff, from a wide range of backgrounds. Fosters a safe and inclusive environment to advance equity.
• May evaluate student-athlete and NCAA compliance issues with athletic department personnel.

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications will be grandfathered until they move to a different job.

• Master's degree in a related field specific to hiring college, or higher education in general from an accredited institution.

• Seven years’ professional academic advising experience.
• Supervisory or leadership experience.
• Seven years' experience working with college students.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic planning experience.

• Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends.

• Professional academic advising experience at WMU.
• Experience with facilitating training on topics related to academic advising, student success and diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating training on unique needs of culturally diverse students, faculty and staff or culturally responsive advising.

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Revised: 2025-10-31