Academic Advisor

University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC is seeking an Academic Advisor to support CHSSA students. The advisor will guide students through course selections, monitor progress, and assist with major declarations, maintaining advising files and referrals as needed.

You will collaborate with faculty, participate in orientation, and contribute to advising best practices, reporting to the Academic Advising Coordinator or Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with three years of progressive experience in academic advising or a related area.
• Experience utilizing a range of software applications and educational technologies.
• Master’s degree with advising experience in a college setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise on course selections aligned with students’ academic goals.
• Monitor academic performance and assist in major declaration and progress tracking.
• Maintain advising files and provide referrals as needed; support student success.

Skills

Excellent communicator

Self-starter

Quick learner

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Student Affairs, or related field

Master’s degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Student Affairs, or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Learning Management Systems

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is designated as Exempt from the Human Resources Act ( EHRA ).

Benefits of Working at UNCW

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, we are driven by a clear purpose: to empower student success, advance innovation, and strengthen the communities we serve. Guided by our strategic vision and commitment to excellence, UNCW offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where employees can make meaningful contributions while growing their careers.

Located in coastal North Carolina, UNCW combines the energy of a thriving academic community with the natural beauty of nearby beaches and outdoor spaces. Here, professional opportunity is balanced with an exceptional quality of life—creating a workplace where you can thrive both personally and professionally.

As a member of the Seahawk community, you’ll benefit from a culture that values well-being, lifelong learning, and connection. UNCW offers a competitive and flexible benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth. From comprehensive health coverage and retirement options to generous paid leave, tuition opportunities within the UNC System, learning and development opportunities, and wellness programs, UNCW is committed to helping you thrive both at work and in your personal life.

Hiring Range

Hiring Range Determined based on qualifications and/or experience.

As part of the CHSSA Dean’s Office Academic Resource Center ( ARC ) this position provides services that include advising and assisting students in making decisions about majors and careers. The Academic Advisor supports approximately 250-350 new and returning students in support of the College’s strategic goals regarding orientation, transitional support, enrollment, retention, persistence, progression, and major declaration.

The Academic Advisor advises on course selections appropriate to the student’s academic goals, monitors academic performance, assists in timely declaration of a major or pre‑major, maintains advising files, and supports students during academic and personal difficulty and making appropriate referrals as needed.

The Academic Advisor identifies problems requiring intervention and assists with strategies for academic recovery as needed.

Working with other faculty and staff, the Academic Advisor provides support to help position students for success during and after their time at UNCW. Advisors work with students from diverse populations with different strengths and needs.

The Academic Advisor will develop a detailed understanding of student‑related policies and advising best practices in order to provide individualized support for students.

The Academic Advisor will use a holistic approach to address student needs by establishing strong relationships with students to guide them in exploring areas of study and resources necessary to be successful.

In addition to managing a caseload, the Academic Advisor will also serve on taskforces, work with other university departments, and execute events to meet the needs of relevant student populations. Academic Advisors participate in orientation sessions and provide accurate academic information to support students as they make enrollment and curricular decisions.

This position will report to an Academic Advising Coordinator or the Director of Academic Advising.

This position relies heavily on effective communication via phone, video conference, email, and in‑person; therefore, the Academic Advisor needs to be an excellent communicator, self‑starter, quick learner, and able to work in a collaborative environment.

This position may require irregular work hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Student Affairs, or a closely related field with three years of progressive experience in academic advising, student support services, or a comparable area; or a Master’s degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Student Affairs, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience utilizing a range of software applications and educational technologies, including Microsoft Office Suite, learning management systems, and other technology‑enhanced delivery platforms.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Master’s degree with at least one year of advising or related experience working with students in a college setting.
• Experience with and commitment to working with students from diverse backgrounds (e.g., first‑year, continuing, and transfer students; pre‑professional students; adult learners, military students, on‑campus and online students, students from historically underrepresented populations) and knowledge of issues of these student populations.
• Knowledgeable of best practices and theoretical foundations in the fields of advising, adult learning, and student development.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to attend to details with a high degree of accuracy.
• Demonstrated commitment to, and execution of, high‑level customer service.

Required Certifications or Licensures

N/A

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts ( CHSSA ) is one of UNCW’s largest academic colleges, comprising approximately 240 faculty members and 53 staff members. The College includes fourteen academic departments and an interdisciplinary programs department:

• Department of Anthropology
• Department of Art and Art History
• Department of Communication Studies
• Department of Creative Writing
• Department of English
• Department of Film Studies
• Department of History
• Department of International Studies
• Department of Music
• Department of Philosophy and Religion
• Department of Public and International Affairs
• Department of Sociology and Criminology
• Department of Theatre
• Department of World Languages and Cultures
• Interdisciplinary Studies Program(s)

The College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts is a vibrant academic environment that values discovery, innovation, and creativity. CHSSA offers limitless opportunities to engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary research and service and make a positive societal impact. Experiential learning empowers CHSSA students to make a difference in the community and enhance the world, preparing them for a wide range of careers.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world‑class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate‑ and graduate‑level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN‑to‑BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutory established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings

Months Per Year

Months Per Year 12 Months

FTE

FTE 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Type of Position

Type of Position Permanent

Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited Positions

Job Posting Date

Job Posting Date 08/14/2026

Posting Close Date

Posting Close Date 09/08/2026

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity with UNCW? (2026)
  • UNCW Website
  • UNCW LinkedIn Page
  • UNCW X Account (formerly Twitter)
  • UNCW Employee Referral
  • UNCW Instagram Account (UNCW_jobs)
  • UNCW Job Alert
  • Chronical of Higher Education
  • Glassdoor
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • Indeed
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • North Carolina Job Network
  • Craigslist
  • Career Events/Job Fairs
  • Billboards/Marquee
  • Other
• * If you selected "Other" to the question above, please explain how you found out about this opportunity. Enter N/A if not applicable.

  (Open Ended Question)