Job Title: Senior Academic Advisor

Purdue University College of Engineering-Office of Academic Affairs; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Advisor Certification Program

Inclusive Advising initiatives

Low advising caseload 225:1

PACADA membership

Job summary

Purdue University invites applications for a Senior Academic Advisor in West Lafayette. The role emphasizes providing individualized guidance to Computational Science students, navigating complex curricula, and supporting undergraduate and graduate pathways.

You will collaborate with CS, Math, and Statistics departments, applying policies with sound judgment to foster student success. The position requires a graduate or professional degree and a commitment to inclusive advising, with Purdue

Qualifications

• Must have a graduate or professional degree in a field relevant to the position.
• Experience in academic advising or student services in higher education.
• Ability to interpret policies and provide student-centered guidance.

Responsibilities

• Advise students on curricula, degree options, and career goals.
• Act as liaison to CS, Mathematics, and Statistics departments.
• Support development and evaluation of advising policies and practices.
• Promote student well-being and inclusive advising practices.

Skills

Advising experience

Curriculum knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Policy interpretation

Collaboration across departments

Student-centered advising

Education

Graduate or professional degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Senior Academic Advisor

City: West Lafayette

Job Description

Join Our Team – Academic Advisor, College of Science | West Lafayette, Indiana

The broad scope of science at Purdue is our strength.

The College of Science seeks an academic advising professional who will contribute to administrative excellence and exemplary advising services for Computational Science students at our Purdue West Lafayette location. If you desire to significantly impact the Purdue undergraduate experience in a collaborative team environment where your strengths and contributions are valued, this may be the professional experience you’ve been working towards.

College of Science advising is grounded in the belief that individualized relationships foster student success, satisfaction, and engagement. As a Senior Academic Advisor, you will create a welcoming environment that challenges and supports students while promoting learning, development, and integration of curricular and co-curricular experiences. Science advisors empower students to take ownership of their education and make informed decisions that advance their academic, career, and life goals.

We’re Looking For Someone Who

• Builds authentic, respectful relationships with students using an asset-based approach that values their identities, strengths, and goals
• Provides accurate, proactive, and student-centered guidance grounded in university policies and data to support informed decision‑making and success
• Connects students with campus resources and opportunities while helping them navigate university systems with confidence
• Promotes student well‑being, belonging, and success while maintaining confidentiality and upholding university policies

Key Responsibilities

Academic Program and Policy Expertise

• Serve as a subject‑matter expert on multiple and complex Computer Science curricula and degree plans, including the BS/MS degree program; serve as a liaison to graduate school partners for the BS/MS program
• Lead the catalog‑term‑specific CODO policy and procedure process and communicate requirements to students and advisors
• Apply university, college, and departmental policies and procedures accurately, including evaluating circumstances in which a policy waiver may be warranted
• Interpret and communicate complex academic requirements to students, advisors, faculty, and campus partners

Advising and Student Success

• Provide individualized academic advising that supports students' educational, career, and life goals
• Apply advising policies, practices, technologies, and curricular knowledge to address individual student needs and complex academic situations
• Support students in navigating multiple curricula, degree options, and integrated undergraduate/graduate pathways

Communication and Collaboration

• Serve as an advising liaison to the departments of Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics

Leadership and Professional Development

• Share advising expertise, practices, and resources to strengthen consistency and quality across the Science advising team
• Contribute to the development, assessment, and continuous improvement of advising knowledge, practices, policies, and procedures

Skills Needed

• Significant experience in academic advising, student services, higher education, or a related field
• Demonstrated knowledge of complex curricula, degree requirements, and academic policies and procedures
• Strong interpersonal, communication, problem‑solving, and relationship‑building skills
• Ability to accurately interpret and apply policies while exercising sound professional judgment
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners
• Commitment to student‑centered advising and professional advising standards

Benefits Of Being An Advisor At Purdue

The University Undergraduate Academic Advising office offers an Advisor Certification Program, a centralized professional development opportunity that allows new advisors to develop their foundational skills in a cohort with other new advisors. Advisors receive real‑time feedback and training, including mentoring experience.

• Participation in the Inclusive Advising initiative provides a unique learning experience grounded in the specific voices and experiences of Purdue students and advisors. Inclusive Advising learning opportunities are cohort‑based and designed to encourage learning and intentional reflection. Inclusive advising centers the student in an asset‑framed approach where the advisor differentiates educational guidance to meet students where they are and acknowledges the critical value of each student’s unique social capital.
• An institutional commitment to an advising ratio of 225:1, providing one of the lowest advising caseloads in the country.
• Membership in PACADA, The Purdue Academic Advising Association, the longest‑standing allied membership in NACADA, with a proud tradition of 36 years of professional development support and community among Purdue advisors.

Education and Experience Required

• Must have an earned graduate or professional degree in a field relevant to the position
• Equivalencies are not accepted for this position

Skills Needed

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to:
  • collaborate with faculty, staff, current and prospective students, parents, and families
  • problem solve and utilize campus resources for individuals and groups
  • willingness work in a changing environment

Preferred

Knowledge of

• undergraduate student development and recruitment
• programs and majors at Purdue University
• field related to majors advised

Additional Information

• Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period
• Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days -Summary of Benefits for Professional levels 1-3, Management levels 1-2 - Human Resources - Purdue University.

Career Stream

Professional 3

• Pay Band S060
• Job Code #20002153

Career path maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/

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Equal Opportunity Employer

Purdue University is an EOE employer.