Academic Advisor

Harper College; Palatine (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Harper College is seeking an Academic Advisor to design individualized academic maps for new and continuing students in Palatine, IL. The role focuses on proactive case management, advising, and coordinating with Counseling Services to support persistence and degree progress.

You will guide students through course selection, transfer options, and career planning while documenting interactions and maintaining up-to-date resources for student success.

Qualifications

• Provides educational planning for new and enrolled students.
• Assists students by creating semester-by-semester schedules that meet major requirements.
• Monitors progress toward completing educational goals and maintains records.

Responsibilities

• Develops semester-by-semester academic plans aligned with student goals.
• Maintains proactive outreach and case management for assigned students.
• Explains placement scores, course sequencing and transfer options.
• Guides students on transfer planning and differences between institutions.
• Uses advising tools and resources to support retention and student success.
• Represents advising at campus events and coordinates with Counseling Services.

Skills

Educational planning

Case management

Student counseling

Transfer guidance

Career development

Tools

Student Information System

degree audit/planner

appointment scheduler

Job description

General Function:

This role provides educational planning for new and currently enrolled students by developing an academic map that meets the specific needs of each individual. Advisors in this classification are responsible for case management of assigned students designed to proactively monitor their progress toward completing educational goals. This role also provides general guidance for students that support advising, transfer, and career development.

Characteristic Duties:

Provides educational planning for new and currently enrolled students. Assists them by creating semester-by-semester academic course schedules that meet the requirements of their intended major and, if applicable, transfer school. Documents all educational planning interactions on appropriate forms.

Responsible for case management of assigned students in which a meaningful rapport is developed. Conducts proactive outreach and monitors assigned students’ progress toward completing their educational goals.

Interprets placement scores, explains developmental course sequencing and recommends appropriate courses for students’ intended plan of study.

Helps students with their transfer planning and explains course transfer differences between institutions.

Explains stackable career pathways.

Collaborates closely with Counseling Services and Hawks Care per established guidelines, determines when students need to be referred to Counselors.

Assists students with educational transactions (i.e., schedules, drop/adds, withdrawals, waivers, etc.).

Answers questions about College policies, procedures, academic programs of study and support services provided by the College. Helps students resolve issues by clarifying protocols and directing them to appropriate offices/personnel.

Instructs students on how to use online and self-service academic planning and career development tools. Interprets degree audit reports.

Serves as lead to assist walk-in traffic to the Center and demonstrates how to utilize software, programs, websites and Center library/lab resources. Creates users’ manuals.

Develops and maintains advising and career resources in print and online including web, portal and social media.

Conducts outreach (e.g., phone calls, campus “walk-abouts”) to students in support of retention-based programming efforts like early alert, summer bridge, etc.

Works with a variety of technology tools (i.e., Student Information System, appointment scheduler, degree audit/planner, etc.) and is able to use these tools effectively to assist students.

Represents the Student Affairs division at student outreach events (i.e., open houses, activity fairs, information sessions, etc.) as necessary.

Serves as lead contact to receive and respond to incoming Center alias emails. Answers those that fall within Academic Advisor purview and refers others to Counselors as needed.

Makes referrals to faculty, academic program chairs/coordinators, campus support services, or other resources as needed.

Maintains professional rapport with students, parents, faculty and staff throughout the College.

Stays current with training and professional development related to academic advising, student success/retention, multicultural competencies, and related topics.

Assists with various projects and programs as needed and participates in College and Divisional Committees as appropriate.

Performs related duties as assigned. Academic Advisors associated with specific support centers (i.e., Women’s Program, Center for New Students, etc.) may have duties and expectations specific to that center.

Working Conditions:

Work is primarily indoors and sedentary in nature.

Equipment/Tools Used:

Utilizes standard office equipment, including computers, in order to perform the duties of the job.

Supervision:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Advising Services or Director of New Student Programs. Receives oral and written instructions as needed.