Academic Advisor Senior - Retention (Part-Time)

Provides comprehensive retention services to undergraduate students in a lead capacity.

• Advises and refers students for academic support services, including tutoring, counseling, and career guidance. Assists students in connecting with peer advocates, support services, and targeted resources. Applies an understanding of the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff to deliver effective developmental advising.
• 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.
• Leads retention initiatives by analyzing data to identify trends and solutions. Notifies counselors and faculty of student performance concerns, including probation and potential disqualification. Develops and implements intervention plans to support at-risk students and provides timely feedback. Collaborates effectively with faculty, staff, and students from a wide range of backgrounds to promote student success.
• 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.
• Guides students in accessing academic and non-academic resources on campus, online, and in the community. Promotes persistence and completion through career readiness and academic/social integration support. Trains students to track progress toward educational, personal, and career goals.
• Researches best practices, policies and procedures related to academic standing impacting student success. Makes recommendations.
• May evaluate student-athlete and NCAA compliance issues with athletic department personnel.
• May provide direction to student employees and advising staff.

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.

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

• Three years' professional academic advising experience.
• Strong interpersonal written and verbal communications skills.
• Three years' experience working with college students.
• Two years' experience actively serving on department, college level or university wide committees.

• 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

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