Academic Advisor - CYSE

George-Mason-University; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University’s Department of Cyber Security Engineering in Fairfax, VA seeks an Academic Advisor to guide undergraduate, graduate, and prospective students. You will interpret policies, help create academic plans, monitor progress, and connect students with campus resources to support success and timely graduation.

You will develop and deliver programs that promote engagement, retention, and degree completion, serving as a trusted partner for students’ academic and professional goals.

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.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic advising during the day and limited evening in individual consultations, group events, or presentations.
• Plan and implement academic success, orientation, and engagement programs to promote retention.
• Develop workshops on academic planning and student success.
• Create resources to assist students with academic/career development.
• Coordinate complex activities to support student planning.
• Interpret confidentiality rules and policies accurately for students and families.
• Explain university/department policies clearly to students, families, and faculty.
• Assist with graduation audits and communicate degree deficiencies to students.

Skills

Customer service

Advising

Communication

Policy interpretation

Data management

Organization

Presentation skills

Teamwork

AI tools awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Banner INB

Patriot Connect

SIS/Banner data systems

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.

Posting Open Date:

August 27, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:

September 10, 2026

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Mason Engineering: The Future of Engineering is Here

About the College:

The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the CEC enrolled a record high of 11,296 students in fall 2024. The college has 34 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of its 309 full-time faculty, 100 are tenured, 58 are tenure-track, 96 are term faculty, and 55 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $83.7 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $68 million in awards. The college stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunity for faculty to work with other disciplines.

About the University and the Region:

George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education. The university has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William County. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country and has an outstanding local public school system.

About the Future:

In conjunction with Amazon’s decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing. As a result, Mason has committed to accelerate its plans to grow its capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the university’s exciting initiatives are the launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation—a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy and the expansion of Mason Square home to its Arlington facilities. In 2025, Fuse a new 355,000 square foot building, will open to students, faculty, and research teams. This net-zero facility will house the Institute for Digital Innovation, state-of the-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces. It will also include retail space, and leasing opportunities for local businesses. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by Mason that will rapidly elevate the university’s already leading national position in computing and related areas.