Academic Advisor - Retention

Job description

Job code: 010457
Pay grade: D
Pay type: Exempt/salaried

General summary

Provides comprehensive retention services to undergraduate students.

Major duties

  • Advises and refers students for academic skills assistance, including tutoring, counseling and career guidance. Assists students in connecting with advocate peers, support services and targeted resources.
  • Collaborates with student outreach services staff and faculty in order to assist in organizing and facilitating workshops. Assists with developing and monitoring retention plans to ensure student success.
  • Monitors academic reporting systems on student performance and academic progress risks. Identifies and provides timely interventions for students who need academic success strategies.
  • Analyzes retention and attrition data in order to identify trends and potential solutions. Notifies counselors and faculty of student issues relating to performance, probation and potential disqualifications.
  • Prepares and implements intervention plans in order to connect at-risk students to support staff and other resources. Provides timely feedback to students about academic progress.
  • 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.
  • Provides direction to students on navigating academic and non-academic resources on campus, online and in the community.
  • May evaluate student-athlete and NCAA compliance issues with athletic department personnel.
  • Assists in retention efforts.

Minimum qualifications

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.

Required education

  • Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

Required experience

  • One year's relevant experience.
  • Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills.
  • One year of experience working with college students.
  • Demonstrated awareness of the diverse needs of students, faculty and staff 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.

Required other

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

Desired qualifications

Desired education

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

Desired experience

  • Professional academic advising experience at WMU

Physical requirements

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

Working conditions

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

This description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees in the above job. It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.