Lead Academic Advisor

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Sciences seeks a Lead Academic Advisor to work primarily with students pursuing a major in the School of Nursing. You will combine direct student advising with leadership responsibilities that support advisor development and continuous improvement.

You will guide students through course planning, degree audits, and progress toward graduation, while mentoring staff, leading training initiatives, and influencing advising practices across the college.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and five years of experience in higher education or advising.
• Strong communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience guiding degree planning and policy interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Advise students with a student-centered approach on academic, career, and personal decisions.
• Guide course selection, registration, degree planning, and graduation progress.
• Use degree audits and progress data to provide proactive outreach and support.
• Connect students with campus programs and experiential learning opportunities.
• Educate students on policies and maintain confidential records.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and training to academic advisors.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Organizational skills

Student-centered

Education

Master’s Degree

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

At Purdue University, academic advising is a transformational partnership that empowers students to define their path, achieve their goals, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and future professions. As a Lead Academic Advisor, you will play a critical role in advancing student success while providing leadership, mentorship, and expertise that strengthens advising practices across the college and university.

The College of Health and Human Sciences is currently seeking a Lead Academic Advisor to work primarily with students pursuing a major in the School of Nursing. In this role, you will combine direct student advising with leadership responsibilities that support advisor development, strategic initiatives, and continuous improvement. As a trusted resource and subject matter expert, you will guide students through their academic journeys while helping shape the advising experience through staff development, program leadership, and collaboration with campus partners. This position offers an opportunity to make a broad and lasting impact, influencing both individual student outcomes and the overall effectiveness of advising services.

Responsibilities Include:

• Advise and support students through a student-centered approach that empowers them to make informed academic, career, and personal decisions.
• Guide students in course selection, registration, degree planning, and progress toward graduation.
• Utilize student success data to conduct degree audits, monitor academic progress, and provide proactive outreach and support.
• Connect students with campus programs, experiential learning opportunities, and resources that enhance their academic and personal development.
• Assess student needs and facilitate referrals to appropriate university resources and support services.
• Educate students on university policies, procedures, systems, and requirements while maintaining accurate and confidential student records.
• Maintain consistent communication and engagement with assigned students to foster success, belonging, and persistence.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in advising policies, practices, and student success strategies within the advising unit.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, coaching, and training to academic advisors, promoting advising excellence and professional growth.
• Develop, implement, and support departmental and university-wide advising training initiatives and best practices.
• Lead or contribute to advising-related committees, programs, and strategic initiatives that support student success and continuous improvement.
• Support the oversight of college- or department-level advising programs, using data and best practices to enhance the student experience and advising outcomes.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to advance advising initiatives, student support efforts, and institutional goals.

What Sets This Role Apart:

This role offers the opportunity to influence student success on a broader scale than traditional advising positions. In addition to supporting individual students, you'll contribute directly to undergraduate nursing curriculum planning, admissions strategy, accreditation reporting, course demand forecasting, and student success initiatives. You'll collaborate closely with faculty leadership and university partners while serving as a trusted expert who helps shape the future of nursing education at Purdue.

As an affiliate of the School of Nursing, you'll join a community dedicated to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals through innovation, compassion, and excellence. Your work will help ensure students not only succeed academically but are prepared to make a meaningful impact on the patients and communities they serve.

What We’re Looking For:

Required:

Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree.
• Five years of experience in higher education, advising, student success, or related field.

Skills Needed:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, students and parents.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and administer academic policy necessary.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task, establish priorities, and resolve conflict.
• Basic skills in Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

What is Helpful:

• Knowledge of programs and majors at Purdue University.

Additional Information:

• Purdue 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

Pay Band S065
Job Code #20002154

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.