Academic Advisor, Office of Academic Advising

Wake Forest University; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, seeks four Academic Advising Specialists starting January 2027. Priority consideration by November 9, 2026. Applicants should submit a cover letter and refrain from using generative AI.

The role provides professional undergraduate academic advising, guiding registration, progress toward degree, and retention, while collaborating with faculty and staff to uphold policies and support student success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus one to three years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within the office.
• Knowledge of Wake Forest University academic policies and student information laws.
• Knowledge of student advisement, retention issues, trends, and programs.
• Excellent written and oral communication with varied university constituencies.
• Strong diplomatic skills and ability to work with a diverse community.
• Ability to make independent judgments.
• Ability to counsel students and communicate with faculty and parents.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and time efficiently.
• Ability to learn new software and student record systems.
• Maintain confidentiality of information and records.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional academic advising to undergraduate students on registration, progress, graduation, and retention.
• Consult with faculty and staff on academic policy and practice.
• Meet daily with students to process study abroad approvals, drops, adds, overloads, withdrawals, and appeals.
• Advise on curriculum, four-year plans, and policy guidance; discuss non-academic factors affecting performance.
• Maintain confidential conversations and escalate as needed to OAA leadership.
• Coordinate early academic intervention activities and appropriate actions.
• Contribute to Office of Academic Advising projects and initiatives.
• Receive and investigate reports on attendance and performance concerns; coordinate with university offices.
• Support assigned advisees with information, referrals, and follow-up planning.
• Maintain timely records of communications and actions; communicate with OAA leadership.

Skills

Academic advising

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Time management

Policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 1–3 years related experience

Tools

Student records systems

Job description

Job Description Summary

We are seeking to fill four positions with an anticipated start date of January 2027. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by November 9, 2026. As part of the application, candidates should submit a cover letter. Candidates should not utilize generative AI in the composition of their letter.

Position Summary

Plays a vital role in supporting the academic success of students by leveraging knowledge of academic policies and procedures. Serves as a consultant and engages with various stakeholders, including faculty, staff, parents, and students. Contributes to academic and operational projects in alignment with the objectives of the Office of Academic Advising.

Job Description

Essential Functions

• Provides professional academic advising to undergraduate students, including guidance, consultation, and support on matters pertaining to registration, academic progress, success, graduation, and retention of students in the College.
• Consults with faculty and staff regarding academic policy and practice.
• Meets with students daily to process requests for study abroad approvals, late drops, late adds, credit overloads, withdrawals, and appeals. Communicates action on student cases to administrative offices on campus.
• Meets with students to provide advice and counsel on curriculum‑specific matters, major exploration issues, four‑year plans, College and University policy and procedures, and non‑academic factors affecting academic performance.
• Responsible for confidential information and conducts confidential conversations to provide support to students.
• Coordinates and participates in early academic intervention activities, including taking or recommending appropriate actions.
• Contributes to academic and operational projects within the Office of Academic Advising.
• Receives and investigates reports from faculty members and/or academic advisors regarding students with excessive absences, poor academic performance, and/or other concerning behaviors; alerts OAA leadership and coordinates with appropriate university offices regarding these concerns.
• Has primary responsibilities for assigned advisees, walk‑in appointments, providing information and support, as well as referrals for follow‑up advising appointments and to other offices on campus.
• Maintains appropriate and timely records of all communications and actions regarding students.
• Engages in timely, clear, and accurate communication to OAA leadership regarding complex and/or sensitive student situations; has clear understanding of situations necessitating escalation to OAA leadership.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree plus one to three years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to comfortably and productively engage in collaborative work within the office.
• Knowledge of Wake Forest University academic policies, procedures, and relevant laws regarding student information, or ability to learn these in a short period of time.
• Knowledge and understanding of student academic advisement, development, retention issues, trends, and programs.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate to varied university constituencies.
• Strong diplomatic skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to make decisions using individual discretion and independent judgment.
• Ability to counsel students and communicate professionally and confidently with faculty members, administrators, and parents.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks, prioritize as necessary, and effectively manage time to complete all required tasks during the work day.
• Ability to learn new software and systems, including student records systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information and records; ability to manage and distribute information appropriately.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems.
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and to draw logical conclusions.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience in an academic advising or related higher education role

Accountabilities

• Responsible for own work.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary work primarily involving sitting/standing; communicating with others to exchange information; repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Disclaimer

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employee’s supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final candidates being considered for employment.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] [phone].