Academic Advisor

Aurora University; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance – AU plans

Dental and Vision Insurance

Life Insurance and AD&D

Long Term Disability

Retirement – TIAA

Tuition Assistance for employees

Job summary

Aurora University is seeking an Academic Advisor to foster student success and retention through goal setting, accountability, and supportive guidance. The role involves advising students on course selection, majors, and degree progression while promoting access to resources and university services.

The position emphasizes collaboration with faculty and campus partners to maintain up-to-date degree materials and ensure a positive experience for diverse students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with 3 years of advising experience in a higher education setting.
• Master’s degree in relevant field is preferred.
• At least one year of academic advising experience, or similar, in a higher education setting or related field required.

Responsibilities

• Possess a strong understanding of catalog requirements, general education, major requirements and policies.
• Deliver presentations and advise students on course selection during orientation.
• Conduct individual and small group advising sessions for new and continuing students.
• Provide resources to help students navigate online registration processes.
• Review transcripts, placement exams, and files for appointments and orientation.
• Proactively communicate information relevant to academic success.

Skills

Strong communication

Detail-oriented

Knowledge of student data systems

Interacting with diverse groups

Evening/weekend flexibility

Bilingual capability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits.

Position Purpose

The Academic Advisor supports learning by fostering a culture of empowerment by promoting goal-setting, responsibility, and accountability. Staff members serving in this role will engage in a variety of activities designed to achieve, maintain, and improve student success and retention and provide students with access to the information and resources necessary for the attainment of academic success, professional development, and personal goals. S/he will engage students with compassion by providing an encouraging and supportive environment for students to share their goals, concerns, and interests.

Core Competencies

• Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
• Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, our singular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personal and professional success. We do this by being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and purposeful lives.
• Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
• Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

Academic Advising

• Possess a strong understanding of requirements and policies as stated in the University Catalog including, but not limited to, information on general education, university requirements, major requirements and academic policies and procedures.
• Deliver presentations and advise students on course selection during new student orientation.
• Conduct individual academic advising sessions and small group sessions with new and continuing students.
• Provide students with the resources to become knowledgeable about, and comfortable with, the online registration process.
• Review academic transcripts, placement exams, and student files in preparation for student appointments and new student orientation.
• Proactively communicate information to students that is relevant to their academic success.
• Demonstrate expertise in Self-Service, Student Planning, and Colleague.

Mentoring

• Assist students in confirming major/minor selection in support of their educational and professional interests and goals.
• Assist students through the process of vocational discernment by discussing their strengths, values, and interests and encouraging vocational exploration.
• Intentionally focus on moving students toward increased independence by the conclusion of the first college year.
• Listen to, advocate on behalf of, and build positive working relationships with students.
• Build positive working relationships with parents, as appropriate.
• Strategically mentor at‑risk students.
• Refer students to appropriate university resources.

University Partnerships

• Establish and maintain relationships with assigned department chairs to understand and clarify departmental expectations to assist in maintaining current knowledge of assigned degree programs.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs to review academic materials for accuracy (e.g., degree audits, academic catalog, online resources) and provide feedback regarding course offerings.
• Collaborate with university departments (registrar, student accounts, financial aid, admission, athletics, etc.) to help facilitate student retention and academic progress.

Essential Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required with 3 years of advising experience in a higher education setting
• Master’s degree in relevant field is preferred

Experience

At least one year of academic advising experience, or similar, in a higher education setting or related field required.

Skills

• Strong communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented.
• Knowledge of student data and communication systems.
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and parents.
• Flexibility with evening and Saturday work hours.
• Bilingual in any language other than English is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to use a computer terminal
• Ability to move about campus
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours

Compensation

The anticipated pay rate for this position is $50,000–$55,000 per year. This compensation is subject to change at the sole discretion of the university, based on institutional needs. The pay range referenced in the posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefits

• Health Insurance – Choice of HMO or PPO offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
• Dental and Vision Insurance – Choices of two dental plans and vision insurance offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Life Insurance and AD&D 1.5 times annual salary, dependent on age. Additional life insurance may be purchased for self, spouse, and children.
• Long Term Disability – 60% of salary, taxable and nontaxable options.
• TIAA Retirement – 403(b) retirement plan, administered by TIAA. Matching contributions offered on the first day of employment to eligible employees, at the discretion of the University and Board of Directors.
• Flexible Spending Accounts – FSAs are available for medical costs and dependent care costs.
• Paid Time Off – Vacation, personal, and sick leave provided to eligible employees.
• Holidays – The university observes nine major holidays where the university is closed.
• Tuition Assistance – Tuition assistance for AU undergraduate courses available to eligible employees and eligible family members beginning the term following one year of regular, full‑time employment. Tuition assistance for graduate programs paid at 60% for employee following Senior Leadership approval.
• Tuition Exchange – AU is a member of the Tuition Exchange (TE) and the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC‑TEP), enabling full‑time employees and eligible family members to be eligible for tuition assistance at more than 600 universities nationwide. Eligibility for the CIC‑TEP and TE programs is one year of regular, full‑time employment as of 8/31.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aurora University offers competitive, flexible benefits to eligible employees.