Academic Advisor - CYSE

Cooperative Education; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, invites applications for Academic Advisor in the Department of Cyber Security Engineering. The role provides comprehensive advising to undergraduates, graduates, and prospective students, helping them plan coursework, monitor progress, and access campus resources.

The position emphasizes student engagement, retention, graduation timing, and collaboration with faculty.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent.
• Experience advising, student support, or client services.
• Ability to explain complex policies to diverse audiences.
• Experience data entry and using databases and email/inbox management.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent presentation and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, SIS/CRM tools and data management.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic advising to undergraduate, graduate, and prospective Cyber Security Engineering students.
• Plan and implement student engagement programs to promote retention.
• Develop workshops on academic planning and career development.
• Maintain and utilize Patriot Connect to manage advising records.
• Coordinate departmental events and special projects as assigned.
• Assist with graduation audits and communicate degree progress to students.

Skills

Customer service

Advising

Communication

Presentation

Organization

Time management

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Active listening

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Patriot Connect

Banner INB

CRM

LMS

AI tools

Job description

Department: Col of Engineering and Computing

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category:Classified Staff

Job Type:Full-Time

Work Schedule:Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type:Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility:Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band:04

Salary:Salary ranges from high $50,000 to low $60,000 and will commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check:Yes

About the Department:

The Department of Cyber Security Engineering at George Mason University, located in Fairfax, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., offers an ABET-accredited undergraduate program and graduate programs that prepare students to address evolving Cyber Security challenges. Through a systems engineering approach, our programs provide students with technical knowledge and practical skills to design, implement, and secure complex cyber systems. The department is committed to excellence in education, research, and innovation while preparing graduates to meet the growing global demand for Cyber Security professionals.

About the Position:

The Academic Advisor provides comprehensive academic advising and student support for undergraduate, graduate, and prospective students in the Department of Cyber Security Engineering. The advisor helps students interpret and apply university and departmental policies, develop academic plans, monitor progress toward degree completion, and connect with campus resources that support academic and professional success. The position also develops and delivers programs that promote student engagement, retention, and timely graduation.

The Academic Advisor serves as a trusted resource and partner in helping students achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals.

Responsibilities

Student Interaction

• Provides academic advising during the day and limited evening in individual consultations, group events or presentations, and tabling, for current and aspiring Cyber Security Engineering students on such topics as major or minor choice, curriculum selection, study skills, scholarship and club opportunities, and other academic-related areas;
• Plans and implements academic success, orientation, and student engagement programs that promote retention and student success;
• Develops workshops and programs focused on academic planning, orientation, and student success;
• Develops, disseminates and maintains resources to assist students with academic planning and development of academic/career/professional knowledge and skills;
• Coordinates complex activities to support student academic planning;
• Understands and implements proper use of rules and procedures concerning confidentiality;
• Provides accurate interpretation of university and departmental policies and procedures to students, families, and faculty; and
• Assists with graduation audits, communicates degree deficiencies to students, and discusses options for degree completion.

Database Management

• Maintains accurate and timely student records in Patriot Connect, including advising notes, tags, email communications, and appointment availability;
• Utilizes Patriot Connect database to create and/or participate in campaigns for targeted outreach to select students;
• Utilizes Banner INB student information system to review student transcripts, records, course registration history, and processing course overrides; and
• Manages program-specific inboxes, listservs, and learning management system organizations.

Special Events and Projects

• Coordinates departmental events, orientation activities, and special projects as assigned;
• Actively participates in professional development experiences when available to stay current with best practices and enhance effectiveness in the role; and
• Executes special projects and duties assigned to support the department.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience providing customer service, advising, student support, or client services in a professional, internship, or leadership setting;
• Experience interpreting and explaining complex policies, rules, or guidelines to a diverse audience;
• Experience managing data entry, tracking records, or maintaining email inboxes using professional software or database tools;
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening and the ability to effectively engage with students from a wide diversity of backgrounds;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills;
• Relationship skills: teamwork, collaboration, networking, development;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, data management systems, internet-based applications, and emerging technologies such as AI tools;
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities while providing exceptional service to a diverse student population;
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team both within and outside the department; and
• Demonstrated ability to organize workshops, events, or small-scale programs while balancing multiple administrative tasks independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Generally, 1+ years of direct experience in higher education, specifically within academic advising, student affairs, registrar services, or admissions;
• Experience managing a large caseload of students or clients in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment;
• Experience developing administrative workflows to improve student support services;
• Knowledge and technical proficiency utilizing higher education platforms such as student information systems (SIS)/student record databases (e.g., Banner) and CRMs; and
• Ability to manage a large, diverse caseload of students independently and collaboratively in a fast paced, detail-oriented environment.