PhD Academic Advisor and Student Success Coordinator

George Mason University; Fairfax (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 by guiding academic progress, maintaining records, and updating progress in the program.

The role partners with the Assistant Dean, Director, and Program Manager to advance student success, advise, coordinate enrollment, and address barriers, with hybrid eligibility and a focus on retention and degree completion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent 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; proactive problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Advise PhD students from admission through graduation via meetings, phone, and email; assist with enrollment and scheduling; address issues and help with forms; maintain advising records; identify students at academic risk.
• Attend CEHD Advising meetings, PhD orientation, and info sessions; manage communications and updates; track progress; support course alignment and scheduling.
• Provide programmatic support to the PhD Director and Program Manager and assist with events and student-facing activities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Written and verbal communication

Independent and collaborative work

Proactive problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Salesforce

Stellic

Degree Audit

Banner

MicroStrategy

Ellucian Workflow

Job description

PhD Academic Advisor and Student Success Coordinator

Department: Col of Ed and Human Development

Job ID: 10004652

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 visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

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 in research and practice; expand and refine the knowledge base for teaching learning, counseling, education leadership, and human development; and transform higher education, schools, and other organizations through applied research, teaching, and collaboration. The CEHD Office of Student and Academic Affairs (SAA) supports the teaching, scholarship, and service missions of the College by onboarding new students, facilitating enrollment and retention, addressing barriers to success, adjudicating appeals and grievances, awarding scholarships, coordinating enrichment activities and celebratory events, such as the student research symposium and graduation, and providing students with a broad range of informational, advising, professional development, financial, and support resources. Further, SAA advises College and University faculty and staff on academic policies and procedures, complex student matters, instructional challenges and pedagogical enhancements, curricular development, course scheduling, and integrity and compliance efforts.

About the Position: The PhD Academic Advisor and Student Success Coordinator will report to the Assistant Dean for Student Success and will work closely with the Director and Program Manager of the PhD program to facilitate the academic progress and degree completion of PhD students 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 newly accepted students through graduation via face-to-face and virtual meetings, telephone, and email communication; communicate with students who have indicated an intent to enroll or have been admitted to the program; assist students with course enrollment and scheduling needs; respond to student issues and questions and help students initiate academic actions, such as Graduate Transfer of Credit, Advancement to Candidacy, and dissertation-related forms; maintain an advising record for each student; and identify and assist students who are at academic risk.
• Attend monthly CEHD Advising meetings, and PhD orientation day and info sessions. Assist with student listservs and communications; triage program email; track students' progress; and update the program website and information materials as needed. Collaborate with the PhD Program Manager on academic matters related to PhD students' progress. Support PhD course alignment and scheduling. Provide programmatic support to the PhD Director and Program 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 CEHD Degree Celebration.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or the 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; and
• Proactive problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability 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