Academic Advisor

Columbia College; Carss; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Inclusive workplace culture

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Columbia College in Ontario, Canada, seeks an Academic Advisor dedicated to improving student success, retention, and degree completion. The advisor will support students through dynamics in degree planning, academic progress monitoring, and various campus resources. Responsibilities include mentoring students, organizing retention programs, and ensuring compliance with institutional policies. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree, exceptional communication skills, and a strong commitment to student success. The role involves collaborating across departments to enhance the overall educational experience.

Qualifications

• Ability to fluently read, write, and understand the English language.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience in student support and retention.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive advising services to support student success.
• Monitor student progress and identify at-risk students.
• Collaborate with campus departments to enhance the student experience.

Skills

Active listening

Communication

Customer service

Time management

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database systems

Job description

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Summary:

The Academic Advisor will be responsible for implementing dynamic initiatives as part of the Graduation Team model designed to improve the overall matriculation, retention, and persistence of traditional and nontraditional students at Columbia College. The Academic Advisor provides comprehensive advising services to support student success, retention and degree completion. The role reports within the Center for Advising, Retention, and Student Success (CARSS) is a one‑stop shop that provides support to students throughout their college experience, including assistance in admissions, registration, financial aid, and academics. This role assists students with degree planning, course selection, academic progress monitoring, and navigating college resources. The advisor proactively identifies at‑risk students, implements retention initiatives, and delivers appreciative model interventions to address student needs. Additionally, they participate in enrollment efforts to maintain accurate student records, and collaborate with campus departments to enhance the student experience, all while upholding institutional policies.

Essential Functions:

• Perform job duties in accordance with Columbia College’s vision, mission and values, and contribute to the development of the Enrollment Management and Marketing Division.
• Provide primary support in managing the relationship with local entities tied to the location and Columbia College.
• Stay current on academic, financial, and support services and policies to provide students with the most accurate information.
• Help organize and implement retention initiatives/programming to maintain student enrollment and engagement.
• Follow established brand guidelines to support consistency in messaging and presentation.
• Deliver appreciative model interventions for students regarding academic and financial aid concerns that may impact student matriculation and retention.
• Monitor student progress, identify at-risk students, and implement retention initiatives to support degree completion.
• Maintain accurate student records, advising notes, and documentation in compliance with institutional policies.
• Collaborate with Leadership to recommend schedule adjustments to support student success and retention.
• Participate as a member of the First Semester Registration team to provide support for incoming students to assist with matriculation and encourage success.
• Deliver student advising, including degree declaration, course selection, class load management, satisfactory academic progress.
• Ensure students are aware of available Columbia College student services including military & veteran support, student accessibility resources,, tutoring and writing assistance, career development, and support for accommodations.
• Maintain caseload management responsibilities ensuring that assigned Columbia College students receive strong support in enrollment to achieve goals and graduation. This position has 100% advising caseload.
• Provide mentorship to unassigned students seeking assistance by helping facilitate their student experience while collaborating with assigned coaches and advisors.
• Respond to in-person, phone, and email inquiries in an effective, timely, and customer-focused manner, providing accurate information and appropriate referrals to other offices/staff as needed.
• Assist with events including recruitment, career and education fairs, commencement and student orientation.
• Ensure responsible use of financial resources.
• Collaborate in call campaigns and general outreach across the Enrollment Management & Marketing Division that affect the student experience during the admissions process through graduation.
• Keep current on academic, financial, and support services and policies in order to provide the most accurate information to students.
• Teach students about available resources through Columbia College such as technology, student services, and extracurricular opportunities.
• Understand and adhere to college policies, ensuring compliance with institutional guidelines and professional standards.
• Actively seek to understand not only our role in the college, but of other departments on campus so we can better serve students.
• Demonstrate professionalism and confidentiality at all times.
• Successfully complete all Human Resources, Technology Services, and other annual training as needed.
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as assigned.

Required Core Competencies and Professional Experience:

• Ability to fluently read, write, and understand the English language.
• Proficiency with the following, but not limited to: active listening; speaking; writing; critical thinking; judgment and decision making; monitoring; reading comprehension; time management; coordination; and management of personnel resources.
• Proficiency for using a variety of computer and technology‑related software and equipment, including Microsoft Office products and database systems.
• Proficiency with web‑based technologies, including database systems.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, with or without direct supervision.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, customer service, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to student success, retention and degree completion through proactive advising and support strategies.
• Navigates complex student concerns, policy interpretations, and operational challenges with a solution‑focused approach.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for events, student support and outreach initiatives.
• Ability to foster relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and prioritize responsibilities effectively.

Preferred Core Competencies and Professional Experience:

• Experience in student recruitment and retention efforts.
• Familiarity with student information systems.
• Experience with appreciative advising, intrusive advising or other student success coach models.
• Knowledge of financial aid, registration or other enrollment‑related student services.
• Experience working with varied student populations including military students, first‑generation students, transfer students, adult learners and graduate students.
• Previous experience in military‑affiliated student support.

Required Level of Education:

Bachelors

Other Requirements:

Ability to satisfy, within the parameters set by the College and consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, a criminal background check as a condition of employment.

Special Requirements (if any):

• Valid driver’s license or ability to attain one.
• Must meet and maintain requirements as an approved driver for Columbia College.
• Ability to lift and remove minimum 50 pounds.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Individuals seeking accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department without delay. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time, talk, and hear. The employee is required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crawl. Employee must be able to type on a computer keyboard and use a computer monitor on a regular basis.

Work Conditions:

The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is rarely exposed to outdoor weather conditions; however, possible exposure to hazards and physical risks to personal safety may occur while operating certain equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild.

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive of every duty and responsibility required by the employee in the position.

Columbia College is an equal opportunity employer.

Columbia College is committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for all regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability. The college maintains a safe place for open discourse and overall, fosters a sense of community that welcomes everyone.

In compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) and the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), the Department of Campus Safety for Columbia College has provided the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report and crime statistics for the main campus and venues nationwide.

Columbia College is required to distribute this information to all current and prospective employees and students. Please follow the link below for the full report or contact Human Resources at 573‑875‑7495 for a printed copy.

The offer of employment and assignment to duties is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check. The information may include, but is not limited to, academic, residential, achievement, performance, attendance, disciplinary, employment history, credit history, driving history, and criminal history of public record.