Director Academic Advising

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

• Develops, implements, evaluates, maintains and modifies policies, procedures and practices pertaining to services under the rubric of academic advising, including academic counseling, admissions and re-admissions, orientation and registration. Establishes objectives and goals for academic advising.
• Develops and implements recruitment and retention programs to promote student success.
• Plans, delivers and evaluates various programs and materials to meet advising, academic counseling, recruiting and retention objectives.
• 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.
• Serves as a representative of the college on various committees that impact academic life at the University. Participates in policy development.
• 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
• 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 related field from an accredited institution.

• Eight years' relevant experience
• Seven years' professional academic advising experience.
• Supervisory or leadership experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills.
• Seven years' of experience working with college students.
• Demonstrated commitment to outreach and recruitment of staff and student employees from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with culturally diverse students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to promote and participate in professional development focused on the unique needs of culturally diverse students faculty and staff, including culturally responsive advising. Strategic planning experience.

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

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

• 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: 2022-11-03