PhD Academic Advisor and Student Success Coordinator

George Mason University; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University in Fairfax, VA seeks a PhD Academic Advisor and Student Success Coordinator to support PhD students in the College of Education and Human Development. The role focuses on communicating academic information, maintaining student records, and tracking degree progress within the CEHD program.

The position involves advising from onboarding to graduation, assisting with course enrollment and degree actions, attending meetings, and collaborating with the PhD Program Manager to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in a higher education setting required.
• Knowledge of academic advising theories and strategies.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, time management, and coordination skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication capabilities with diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively in a flexible and professional manner.

Responsibilities

• Advise PhD students from onboarding through graduation via in-person and virtual meetings, email, and phone; assist with course enrollment and scheduling; maintain an advising record and support at-risk students.
• Attend CEHD Advising meetings, manage program communications, track progress, update materials, and support PhD course alignment and scheduling.
• Complete other duties related to Student and Academic Affairs, including supporting events like the CEHD Research Symposium and Degree Celebration.

Skills

Academic advising

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

Salesforce

Stellic/Degree Audit System

Banner

MicroStrategy

Dynamic Forms

Ellucian Workflow

Job description

Department: Col of Ed and Human Development

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visasponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education andexperience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The mission of the College of Education and Human Development(CEHD) is to develop reflective professionals who are leaders inresearch and practice; expand and refine the knowledge base forteaching learning, counseling, education leadership, and humandevelopment; and transform higher education, schools, and otherorganizations through applied research, teaching, andcollaboration. The CEHD Office of Student and Academic Affairs(SAA) supports the teaching, scholarship, and service missions ofthe College by onboarding new students, facilitating enrollment andretention, addressing barriers to success, adjudicating appeals andgrievances, awarding scholarships, coordinating enrichmentactivities and celebratory events, such as the student researchsymposium and graduation, and providing students with a broad rangeof informational, advising, professional development, financial,and support resources. Further, SAA advises College and Universityfaculty and staff on academic policies and procedures, complexstudent matters, instructional challenges and pedagogicalenhancements, curricular development, course scheduling, andintegrity and compliance efforts.

About the Position:

The PhD Academic Advisor and Student Success Coordinator willreport to the Assistant Dean for Student Success and will workclosely with the Director and Program Manager of the PhD program tofacilitate the academic progress and degree completion of PhDstudents in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)by communicating academic information, maintaining student records,and updating student progress in the program.

Responsibilities:

• Advise PhD students from their initial experience as newlyaccepted students through graduation via face-to-face and virtualmeetings, telephone, and email communication; communicate withstudents who have indicated an intent to enroll or have beenadmitted to the program; assist students with course enrollment andscheduling needs; respond to student issues and questions and helpstudents initiate academic actions, such as Graduate Transfer ofCredit, Advancement to Candidacy, and dissertation-related forms;maintain an advising record for each student; and identify andassist students who are at academic risk.
• Attend monthly CEHD Advising meetings, and PhD orientation dayand info sessions. Assist with student listservs andcommunications; triage program email; track students’ progress; andupdate the program website and information materials as needed.Collaborate with the PhD Program Manager on academic mattersrelated to PhD students' progress. Support PhD course alignment andscheduling. Provide programmatic support to the PhD Director andProgram Manager as assigned.
• Complete other duties related to Student and Academic Affairs(SAA), such as supporting and attending SAA student-facing events,including, but not limited to, the CEHD Research Symposium and CEHDDegree Celebration.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or the equivalentcombination of education and experience;
• Experience in a higher education setting required;
• Knowledge of academic advising theories and strategies;
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, time management, andcoordination skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication capabilities withdiverse audiences;
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively in aflexible and professional manner; and
• Proactive problem-solving skills, attention to detail, andability to learn new tasks quickly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Previous experience as an academic advisor/counselor preferred;and
• Knowledge of Salesforce products, Stellic/Degree Audit System,Banner, MicroStrategy, Dynamic Forms, Ellucian Workflow.

Posting Open Date: October 16, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: October 30, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 researchuniversity committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperousworld. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largestand most diverse public research university in Virginia, offeringdegree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment forstudents, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. Webelieve in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancingour mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; andwe believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity oforigin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available athttp://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/