PhD Academic Advisor and Student Success Coordinator

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The PhD Academic Advisor and Student Success Coordinator in Fairfax, VA reports to the Assistant Dean for Student Success and works with the PhD program director to guide doctoral students toward timely degree completion, maintain accurate student records, and update progress in the program.

Key duties include advising from admission through graduation via in-person and virtual meetings, coordinating enrollment and course scheduling, responding to student questions, managing appeals or degree

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Advise PhD students from admission to graduation via face-to-face and virtual meetings, emails, and scheduling needs; maintain advising records and help students with actions.
• Attend CEHD Advising meetings, assist with communications and track progress; support course alignment and scheduling.
• Support SAA events and CEHD Degree Celebration and Research Symposium.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Time management

Independent work

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Salesforce

Stellic/Degree Audit

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 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