Academic Advisor

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Tuition assistance

Retirement plan

Eco Pass transit

Job summary

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Division of Continuing Education is seeking an Academic Advisor to support CU Complete returning adult learners and other students. This full‑time role reports to the Assistant Director of Student Success and focuses on helping students navigate university systems, policies, and long‑term planning.

The Academic Advisor informs prospective and current students about Division and university programs, collaborates with colleagues, and contributes to student

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• 3+ years of professional experience in a higher educational setting.
• Passion for working with non-traditional students, including returning adult learners.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as point of contact and primary academic advisor for all CU Complete students.
• Assist both degree and non‑degree‑seeking students in formulating their educational goals and elucidating the requirements necessary to meet those goals through in‑person, phone and Zoom appointments, as well as email.
• Work closely with departmental advisors to determine degree requirements for returning adult learners.
• Review students’ academic records and discuss appropriate courses.
• Conduct academic troubleshooting sessions with degree‑seeking and non degree‑seeking students facing academic warning, suspension, and/or dismissal.
• Refer students to appropriate student support services, such as career advising, financial aid, disability services, academic coaching, psychological counseling, the Office of Admissions, etc.
• Develop trusting and supportive relationships with individual students.
• Master and maintain knowledge of all Continuing Education policies, programs, and processes.
• Master and maintain knowledge of all College/School/Program policies and processes, particularly as they pertain to students in academic difficulty, international students, athletes, and students with disabilities.
• Actively engage in Student Services team collaboration, including making appropriate referrals and using role expertise to creatively resolve student challenges.

Skills

Academic advising

Student counseling

Communication skills

Diversity & inclusion

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

University SIS

Job description

Job Summary

The Division of Continuing Education at the University of Colorado, Boulder is seeking applications for an Academic Advisor. This is a full-time position reporting to the Assistant Director of Student Success within Student Services in the Division of Continuing Education. Student Services provides academic, financial aid, and career advising to both degree‑seeking and non‑degree‑seeking students at CU Boulder. Academic Advisors teach students how to navigate university systems, academic processes, and policies at CU Boulder. They help students become engaged and contributing members of the CU community while empowering them to take responsibility for making their own decisions about courses, academic programs, and long‑term plans.

This position focuses on exploration, discovery, and building supportive connections with students, with a specific emphasis on supporting returning adult learners. The Academic Advisor informs prospective and current students about the programs and services offered by the Division and the University. In addition, the position assists the Assistant Director and Student Success team with student success‑oriented programs, particularly CU Complete. Other important aspects of this role include serving as a liaison with individuals and departments across the Division and campus, demonstrating a commitment to professional growth and development, and contributing to team collaboration and innovation.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies at CU Boulder provides quality, innovative, lifelong learning opportunities for a diverse student population by extending the educational resources of the university to the Boulder community, the state of Colorado, and beyond.

Academic Advising

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Serve as point of contact and primary academic advisor for all CU Complete students.
• Assist both degree and non‑degree‑seeking students (both prospective undergraduate and graduate students) in formulating their educational goals and elucidating the requirements necessary to meet those goals through individual in‑person, phone and Zoom appointments, as well as email.
• Work closely with departmental advisors to determine degree requirements for returning adult learners.
• Review students’ academic records and discuss appropriate courses.
• Conduct academic troubleshooting sessions with degree‑seeking and non degree‑seeking students facing academic warning, suspension, and/or dismissal.
• Refer students to appropriate student support services, such as career advising, financial aid, disability services, academic coaching, psychological counseling, the Office of Admissions, etc.
• Develop trusting and supportive relationships with individual students.
• Master and maintain knowledge of all Continuing Education policies, programs, and processes.
• Master and maintain knowledge of all College/School/Program policies and processes, particularly as they pertain to students in academic difficulty, international students, athletes, and students with disabilities.
• Actively engage in Student Services team collaboration, including making appropriate referrals and using role expertise to creatively resolve student challenges.

Program Assistance

• Coordinate with CU Complete Program Manager to onboard returning adult learners to the scholarship program.
• Assist with programs including CU Complete, High School ACCESS, Post Baccalaureate Pre‑Health Professions, Senior and Community Auditors, etc.
• Assist with data tracking, projects, and programming tied to CU Complete, including student and staff presentations, and new initiative development.
• Serve as an instructor for CU Complete success course as needed.

Division & University Support

• Attend monthly and weekly staff and Student Services meetings.
• Participate in professional development and training opportunities, as appropriate.
• Serve on Division and campus committees.
• Create and leverage contacts at CU Boulder and area schools to support the needs of students.

What You Should Know

The anticipated work modality for this position is Hybrid, however during the first 2 weeks of onboarding, this position will be required to work 100% on‑campus.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range for this position is $55,100 to $62,200.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well‑being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world‑class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be collaborative. Be dynamic. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• 3+ years of professional related experience in a higher educational setting.

What You Will Need

• Passion for working with non‑traditional students, including returning adult learners, and students in academic difficulty.
• Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences, with the ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students from around the world.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Willingness to advocate for students when their situations fall outside the campus norms.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and within a collaborative work environment.
• Exceptional organizational, planning, analytical, creative problem solving, and technical skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple requests.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Master’s Degree in higher education, student affairs, or a related field.
• Experience serving as an academic advisor or academic coach for college students.
• Experience with and interest in advising adult learners.
• Experience working in a continuing education or extension program setting.
• Familiarity with university student information systems and technology platforms.
• Skills and experience explaining complex academic policies.
• Strong communication skills.
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment.
• Multicultural competence and experience working with a diverse student population.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age‑identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.