Lead Academic Advisor - Computer Science

University of Illinois Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 69,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition waivers

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

University of Illinois Chicago is seeking a Lead Advisor in Chicago, IL to oversee the advising team and drive student success initiatives. The role focuses on directing academic advising services, guiding degree requirements, and ensuring alignment with campus policies.

The Lead Advisor provides expert advising from orientation to graduation, mentors staff, and collaborates across departments to support student progress and retention.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required.
• Minimum five years of advising or student-support experience in a college or university setting; four-year institution preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver student-centered advising while upholding institutional standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction on academic policies guiding degree progress.
• Regularly meet with students to determine degree progress and provide guidance to other advisors.
• Chairs or participates on committees, task forces and teams; leads related workshops and orientations.
• Creates and provides training and professional development opportunities for academic advisors.

Skills

Advising

Leadership

Communication

Data analytics

Project management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master’s Degree preferred

Tools

Student information systems

Advising platforms

Reporting tools

Job description

Hiring Department: Computer Science

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1041332

Posting Close Date: September 2. 2026

Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $69,000 to $71,000

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

About The University Of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Position Summary

The Lead Advisor will provide strategic responsibility for ensuring the professional and overall development of the advising team. In consultation with the Director(s) of Undergraduate Studies and Department Head, executes the vision of Academic Advising. Provides direction and guidance based on service models and student success programmatic offerings.

Provides direct service to students from their orientation through graduation. Provides academic advising expertise and guidance to students and the broader advising team on degree requirements and programs; academic and professional planning; University, College and Campus policies and procedures; course selection and registration and available resources and opportunities.

A Lead Advisor follows best practices based on national research and shares with relevant stakeholders. Handles and may oversee complex student cases including but not limited to protected categories, academic grievance cases, academic standing, course articulation, petition processes, etc. Mentors and assists with the training of new Academic Advisors.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists in providing strategic direction on academic policies guiding students’ degree progress.
• Regularly meets with students to determine degree progress, provide assistance with regard to academic, co-curricular and professional progress. Provides guidance and support to other advisors in delivering advising to their caseloads.
• Acts as a resource for advisors, career counselors, faculty and students with regard to college academic programs.
• Reviews and understands current research in student support to provide best practices for college advising. Reviews and understands current research in student support to provide best practices for college advising.
• Reviews and assists in articulating courses that transfer students bring in from other community colleges or universities.
• Chairs or participates on committees (internal and external), task forces and teams. Leads related workshops, and new and transferring student orientations.
• Serves as a College representative for campus committees that provide strategic direction in academic and student affairs.
• Creates and provides training and professional development opportunities for academic advisors in the college.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience providing academic advising or student support services in a college or university setting; experience within a four-year institution preferred
• Demonstrated ability to deliver student-centered advising while upholding institutional academic standards, policies, and degree requirements
• Demonstrated knowledge of research-based best practices in academic advising and student success
• Experience participating in student success initiatives or retention-focused programs
• Demonstrated proficiency with campus information technology systems, including student information systems, advising or student tracking platforms, and reporting tools
• Familiarity with data-informed and predictive analytics approaches used to assess and support student success initiatives preferred
• Demonstrated leadership experience, which may include chairing or serving on committees or task forces, leading functional work groups, or contributing to the development and implementation of advising initiatives or programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree required; in education, student personnel, college counseling or a related field preferred
• Experience developing and delivering training or professional development for advising or student services staff preferred
• Knowledge of UIC policies, procedures, regulations, and standards of practice preferred

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.