Graduate Academic Advisor

Aurora University; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora University is seeking a Graduate Academic Advisor to support student success by promoting goal-setting, responsibility, and accountability. The role includes advising sessions, course planning, and guiding access to academic and career resources.

You will mentor students, collaborate with departments, and participate in programs to improve retention and graduation outcomes. Evening/weekend hours may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with at least two years of higher education experience required.
• Master’s degree in relevant field and professional advising experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Possess a strong understanding of requirements in the University Catalog and policies.
• Deliver presentations and advise students on course selection during orientation.
• Conduct individual academic advising sessions and small group sessions.
• Review academic transcripts and student files in preparation for appointments.
• Proactively communicate information relevant to students’ academic success.
• Demonstrate expertise in Self-Service, Student Planning, and Colleague.
• Mentor at-risk students and collaborate with university departments to support retention.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Detail-oriented

Student data and systems knowledge

Diversity & inclusion collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree with higher education experience

Master’s degree in relevant field with advising experience preferred

Job description

Position Purpose:

The Graduate Academic Advisor supports learning by fostering aculture of empowerment by promoting goal-setting, responsibility, and accountability. Staff members serving in this role will engagein a variety of activities designed to achieve, maintain, andimprove student success and retention and provide students withaccess to the information and resources necessary for theattainment of academic success, professional development, andpersonal goals.

Core Competencies:

1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner withprospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers andthe community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse groupof faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service,learns and uses operating practices of the department and AuroraUniversity.
2. Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, oursingular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personaland professional success. We do this by being an inclusivecommunity dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As ateaching centered institution, we encourage undergraduate andgraduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful andpurposeful lives.
3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizesthe confidential nature of university business.
4. Supports learning through performance of essential jobfunctions and performing other duties and functions as necessary oras assigned, including voluntary participation in universitycommittees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions:

Academic Advising

• Possess a strong understanding of requirements and policies asstated in the University Catalog including, but not limited to,information on general education, university requirements, degreerequirements and academic policies and procedures.
• Deliver presentations and advise students on course selectionand academic policies during new student orientation.
• Conduct individual academic advising sessions and small groupsessions with new and continuing students.
• Participate in various committees and assigned InnovationTeam.
• Provide students with the resources to become knowledgeableabout, the online registration process.
• Review academic transcripts and student files in preparationfor student appointments and new student orientation.
• Proactively communicate information to students that isrelevant to their academic success.
• Demonstrate expertise in Self-Service, Student Planning, andColleague.

Mentoring

• Assist students in confirming degree and program selection insupport of their educational and professional interests andgoals.
• Assist students through the process of vocational discernmentby discussing their strengths, values, and interests andencouraging vocational exploration.
• Intentionally focus on moving students toward increasedprofessionalism by the conclusion of their program.
• Listen to, advocate on behalf of, and build positive workingrelationships with students.
• Strategically mentor at-risk students.
• Encourage students to utilize appropriate universityresources.

University Partnerships

• Establish and maintain relationships with assigned departmentchairs to understand and clarify departmental expectations toassist in maintaining current knowledge of assigned degreeprograms.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs to review academic materialsfor accuracy (e.g. degree audits, academic catalog, onlineresources) and provide feedback regarding course offerings.
• Collaborate with university departments (registrar, studentaccounts, financial aid, admission, athletics, etc.) to helpfacilitate student retention and academic progress.

Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least two years of higher educationexperience required.
• Master’s degree in relevant field and professional advisingexperience preferred.

Skills:

• Strong communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented.
• Knowledge of student data and communication systems.
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff,students and parents.
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to use a computer terminal.
• Ability to move about campus.