Academic Advisor

Alaska Pacific University; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Alaska Pacific University seeks an Academic Advisor to assist undergraduates with initial academic advising and to help develop registration plans aligned with students’ goals. The role guides students to campus resources and supports orientations and ongoing student success initiatives.

Responsibilities include coordinating with Enrollment Services, monitoring enrollment and academics, and serving as a bridge between faculty and students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, counseling, health sciences, or related field.
• Experience advising or counseling students is beneficial.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with enrollment and advising to help students register and plan schedules.
• Monitor student enrollments, schedules, and academic performance.
• Act as liaison between faculty and students and guide to appropriate contacts.
• Support campus orientations and ongoing student success initiatives.
• Maintain communications about scheduling, registration, and student services.
• Support Early Alert to identify and assist at-risk students.
• Update and improve advising content on the APU website.
• Willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, counseling, health sciences, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Student information systems

Team collaboration

Interpersonal communication

Customer service / advising

Job description

The Academic Advisor assists undergraduate students enrolling to APU with initial academic advising, development of registration schedules appropriate for their stated educational goals, and directs students to resources within the University. The Advisor participates in the planning and implementation of Campus Orientations as well as ongoing initiatives to provide academic support for students. In addition, the Advisor is responsible for understanding and interpreting the University’s policies and procedures as they relate to admissions, registration, programmatic requirements, and financial aid.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Works closely with Student Enrollment Services staff to receive and follow-up with newly admitted students for the purpose of encouraging and assisting with timely enrollment.
• Assist with monitoring student enrollments, schedules, and academic performance.
• Assists students with successful transition to college culture and procedures.
• Works closely with all Institute Directors and faculty to maintain up-to-date information on degree pathways, departmental policies, and upper-level degree tracks and options.
• Will serve as a connection point between faculty and students by helping the student identify the appropriate point of contact when faculty are off contract or leading field courses.
• Develops and maintains ongoing contact with new admits throughout their first academic year in a proactive manner to help them stay on-track and respond to other needs as they arise.
• Maintains routine communication streams that provide necessary information for students regarding scheduling, registration, and students services at APU via texting, e-mail and phone calls.
• Facilitates assignment of students from initial advisory services to academic advisor within program areas.
• Assists with outreach to professional organizations, and other recruitment initiatives.
• Serve on the Early Alert task force to help monitor and assist students at risk.
• Review APU website content related to Academic Advising and provided needed updates to keep it current.
• Willingness to work some evening and weekend hours as needed.

KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

• Skill in building and maintaining a service schedule that meets the needs of a growing population.
• Skill in effectively managing time and resources.
• Skill in working with students in an advisory or counseling capacity.
• Skill in working with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Skill in working with student information systems and records.
• Skill in working as a team player dedicated to the success of the institution.
• Skill in exhibiting professional interpersonal communication skills
• Skill in enthusiasm for and a commitment to higher education and student success.

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATION

A Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, counseling, health sciences, or related field.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION

PREFFERRED EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION

Experience or knowledge of medical fields and career pathways related to health sciences and nursing.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Current and valid driver’s license required with ability to pass a driving record check and driving test.

Ability to travel independently.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The following demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Working in office areas as well as throughout the university. The position is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit, reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, or kneel. The employee must be able to lift and/or carry boxes & packages weighing up to 50 pounds.