Academic Advisor

Drexel University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Drexel University is seeking an Academic Advisor to be the primary contact for students, guiding them from acceptance through graduation. The role emphasizes proactive communication, navigation of Drexel policies and resources, and advocating for student success.

You will manage plans of study, monitor progress, coordinate registrations, refer students to campus offices, and support retention efforts while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Education or related field.
• Minimum 2+ years of experience in higher education.
• Experience with academic programs and degrees.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student records (FERPA).

Responsibilities

• Initiate and maintain consistent communication with assigned students.
• Document and track student encounters in advising software (AVT).
• Coordinate plan of study and assist with course registration.
• Monitor academic progress and notify important dates.
• Counsel students and liaise with university offices as needed.
• Support retention and identify at-risk students.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Banner/ERP systems

Job description

Job Summary

The Academic Advisor (AA) is the forward-facing, single point of contact, and most significant advocate for Drexel students. The AA supports students throughout their academic lifespan, acceptance/confirmation until graduation, with a comprehensive approach to the student experience. The Academic Advisor assists students in navigating their way through the policies and resources of Drexel University to complete their degree or certificate program. The AA sustains proactive, consistent, timely, and respectful communication with students. The AA acts in the students' best interest and provides them with all relevant information, options, and resources.

Essential Functions

• Student Success & Development
  • Initiate and maintain consistent communication with assigned students multiple times per term
  • Document and track student encounters and communications in advising software (AVT)
  • Coordinate plan of study, assist with course registration and monitor academic progress
  • Notify students of important dates & critical information such as add/drop deadlines, course registration timelines, clinical scheduling, course offerings, policy changes, etc.
  • Provide students with all necessary information and potential options to make well-informed decisions about their academic career
  • Create and update student plan of study and course sequencing - DegreeWorks if applicable
  • Counsel and assist students with Web-registration
  • Act as a liaison and refer assigned students to other University offices and resources (Drexel Central-financial aid)
  • Track student progression and academic program requirements
  • Troubleshoot student issues (e.g. life situations) and lead students to appropriate professionals/departments
  • Liaison to faculty and administration on behalf of the student (acting as the single point of contact)
• Retention
  • Improve positive student experiences, build and maintain positive relationships and acts as their advocate
  • Identify students at risk academically to ensure resources are provided, and meet to identify their needs
• Proactive communication to all assigned students
• Identify obstacles for 'unregistered-eligible-to-enroll' students to improve term-over-term retention and decrease average time to completion
  • Counsel students on best practices, time management techniques, and effective study methods
  • Provide students with all resources throughout the college and University to address their needs, personal or academic
  • Work with students to preserve their academic standing whenever possible
  • Teach University 101 (if applicable)
• Recruitment - Prospective Students
  • Participate in student recruitment events as needed
  • Maintain and provide students with pre-approve external courses for transfer credit or pre-requisite requirements
  • Work closely with the Enrollment Counselors/Admissions Coordinators to smoothly transition students from acceptance to enrollment/registration
  • Orient students and ensure academic program expectations are understood
  • Acts as the point person for accepted students with program/department specific questions

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Education or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 2+ years of experience.
• Experience in higher education, working knowledge of academic programs/degrees
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products is required; experience with Banner, Hyperion or other higher education systems is beneficial
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of student records and adhere to FERPA and other University policies related to student privacy
• Strong organizational & project management skills, superior attention to detail
• Excellent customer service & helpful demeanor
• Demonstrated success in finding appropriate solutions and taking initiative.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrate competence in working with diverse student populations

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table

Location

• University City, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade I. Compensation for this grade ranges from $45,330 to $68,000 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.