Academic Advisor & Enrollment Coach

CSU Spur; Denver, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

CSU Spur is seeking an Academic Advisor Level 2 at CSU Spur in Denver to provide proactive, strategic advising for Spur Start students. The role involves managing complex caseloads, evaluating degree progress, and coordinating onboarding activities tied to Spur Start.

It emphasizes outreach, collaboration with Fort Collins advisors, and cross‑unit partnerships to promote persistence and timely graduation. The position requires 3 years of higher‑education advising experience, excellent

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 3 years professional experience as an academic advisor in a higher education setting.
• Evidence of professional development in the field of academic advising.
• Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently while maintaining attention to detail.
• Experience supporting the needs of first‑generation and limited income students.
• Experience establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage an advising caseload, applying knowledge of advising best practices.
• Analyze student data, track outcomes, and contribute to assessment efforts while leveraging advising technologies.
• Advise incoming first‑year students through enrollment processes, providing an evaluation of program alignment with student’s degree path and transfer credits.
• Coordinate and/or lead components of new student onboarding, including Spur Start orientation and transition programming.
• Provide active outreach to Spur Start students in their transition year to Fort Collins.
• Assist with the advisor hand‑off to main campus for the year two transition.
• Contribute to development of targeted outreach strategies to support student success and retention initiatives.
• Interpret and apply university policies with depth and nuance, proactively advising students and resolving moderately complex to complex issues.

Skills

Caseload management

Data-informed outreach

Communication skills

Partnership building

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Position Summary

Based at CSU Spur in Denver, Colorado, this position provides CSU Spur Start Students comprehensive and proactive academic advising focused on advancing student success, retention, and timely degree completion. In addition to responsibilities expected from a Level 1 Academic Advisor, the Academic Advisor Level 2 applies strategic caseload management practices—including data-informed outreach, early intervention, and targeted support—to address varying student needs and risk levels. Given the unique population that this position advises, expectations include recruitment and major alignment with Spur Start students and onboarding activities that contribute to the comprehensive approach to Spur Start student success.

Description of Work Unit

The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is responsible for providing the academic vision and leadership to fulfill the University’s land-grant mission. The work unit articulates, communicates, and facilitates the development of fundamental values basic to the University’s mission and administers academic programs and policies. It oversees the academic programming and faculty affairs on campus, as well as provides oversight for the Spur Start program. The CSU Spur Start program is a newly developed initiative that expands Colorado State University's commitment to educational access by creating a distinctive first-year experience for students in the Denver metropolitan area and beyond. Based at the CSU Spur campus in Denver, the program provides an accessible and affordable pathway for students who may not otherwise see a four‑year degree as attainable. Students begin their college journey at Spur before transitioning to the Fort Collins campus for their second year, benefiting from a model that combines the personalized experience of a small, cohort‑based learning community with the resources and opportunities of a major research university. Through individualized support, close relationships with faculty and peers, experiential learning, and intentional programming that fosters belonging, Spur Start offers a truly differentiated educational experience. By leveraging the unique learning assets of the CSU Spur campus while maintaining a strong connection to the broader CSU community, the program delivers compelling value and helps students build a strong academic, social, and personal foundation for success.

Essential Job Duties

• Independently manage an advising caseload, applying knowledge of advising best practices and institutional knowledge to support degree planning, major and career exploration, and academic goal setting, in light of increasingly complex student needs.
• Analyze student data, track outcomes, and contribute to assessment efforts while leveraging advising technologies to improve delivery of advising services and caseload management.
• Advise incoming first‑year students through enrollment processes, providing an evaluation of program alignment with student’s degree path and transfer credits.
• Coordinate and/or lead components of new student onboarding, including Spur Start orientation and transition programming.
• Provide active outreach to Spur Start students in their transition year to Fort Collins.
• Assist with the advisor hand‑off to main campus for the year two transition.
• Contribute to development of targeted outreach strategies to support student success and retention initiatives based on advising profession best practices; conduct proactive outreach and collaborate with faculty and staff to coordinate support for student progress.
• Interpret and apply university policies with depth and nuance, proactively advising students and resolving moderately complex to complex issues; exercise independent judgment in determining appropriate actions and referrals.
• Advance holistic and culturally responsive advising strategies that support student development and persistence.
• Guide students in developing autonomy, decision‑making capacity, and effective self‑advocacy.
• Serve as an experienced resource to Fort Collins advisors and Spur campus partners.
• Serve as a resource for the admissions and recruitment team based in Denver, sharing information regarding the program match with a student’s intended major and offering collaboration within the recruitment process when needed.
• Engage in professional development, contribute to training and onboarding, participate in the advising community, and present or contribute to professional forums.
• Contribute to Spur Start‑specific student success activities that are adjacent to academic advising (e.g., recruitment, curriculum, internship coordination, the Spur Start learning community, student clubs or organizations, student mentoring programs, scholarship programs, first‑year/transition seminars, liaison with College Track scholars, Fort Collins campus liaison to key resource offices including the Office of Financial Aid, the Hub, Parent and Family Programs and others as determined by developing need. Other related duties.

Conditions of Employment

Pre‑employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).

This position may require periodic work on weekends or in the evening to support student success or recruitment/onboarding activities.

Supervision

This position does not include supervision of professional staff. May include supervision of student staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 3 years professional experience as an academic advisor in a higher education setting.
• Evidence of professional development in the field of academic advising.
• Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently while maintaining attention to detail.
• Experience supporting the needs of first‑generation and limited income students.
• Experience establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Experience providing holistic support to students from historically minoritized communities, including major exploration and connections to academic, career, and campus resources.
• Demonstrated experience in creative problem‑solving, and independent decision‑making.
• Strong organization and administrative skills with a proven ability to prioritize tasks in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or coaching others, with a demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of mutual accountability.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to manage sensitive, confidential information with strict discretion and emotional intelligence.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (verbal and written).

Salary Range

$60,000-$65,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world‑class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work‑life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Inspired by its land‑grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.