Student Success Advisor

Millikin University; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Millikin University seeks a Professional Advisor to provide academic advising to first‑year students within one of Millikin’s academic units. The role focuses on transformative advising, helping students plan courses, set goals, and navigate degree requirements with proactive, student‑centered support.

This on‑site position collaborates with faculty and staff, delivers workshops to build academic skills, and guides students through registration, study techniques, time management, and referrals

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage time effectively and contribute to departmental tasks and goals.
• Ability to lead or contribute to planning or organizing projects.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive professional relationships across diverse backgrounds.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Teams, Outlook Calendar, and Office 365.

Responsibilities

• Deliver transformational academic advising experiences for all assigned students.
• Provide supplemental advising and registration assistance to all 1st year students as needed.
• Proactively communicate and build relationships with assigned students.
• Co-create with assigned students an academic plan.
• Maintain accurate and detailed notes from advising meetings in the case management system.
• Collaborate with the assigned college’s faculty, school directors, and the academic dean.
• Ensure students understand and navigate the class registration process, degree and general education requirements.
• Address all areas of academic concerns with students, including tutoring, study skills, and time management.
• Make referrals to other campus services such as counseling, financial aid, career services, student life, disability services, and Title IX.
• Participate in professional development opportunities.
• Remain current in high-impact practices related to academic advising and student success.
• Respond timely to Academic Alert forms submitted by faculty and staff members.
• Provide active support, follow-up, and strategies for success, as well as general walk-in/appointment times for students.
• Supports students on individual course articulations/transfers with the Registrar’s office and the academic school.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Time management

Student-focused advising

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook Calendar

Student information systems

Job description

This position will provide academic advising to 1st year students at Millikin University. The Professional Advisor supports one of the four (4) academic units on Millikin’s Campus: The College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Professional Studies, or the Tabor School of Business. This role supports students in promoting their academic success, managing their course plans and schedules, and engaging in transformational advising. The Professional Advisor provides high-quality, proactive academic advising and support to students. Which includes assisting students in course selection and requirements for special focus areas, setting academic goals, proctoring study experiences, and developing and facilitating workshops that focus on fostering academic skills and executive functioning skills. This position is not eligible for remote work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Deliver transformational academic advising experiences for all assigned students.
• Provide supplemental advising and registration assistance to all 1st year students as needed.
• Proactively communicate and build relationships with assigned students.
• Co-create with assigned students an academic plan.
• Maintain accurate and detailed notes from advising meetings in the appropriate case management system.
• Collaborate with the assigned college’s faculty, school directors, and the academic dean.
• Ensure students understand and navigate the class registration process, understand degree and general education requirements.
• Address all areas of academic concerns with students, including tutoring, study skills, and time management.
• Make referrals to other points of service such as counseling, financial aid, career services, student life, disability services, and Title IX.
• Participate in professional development opportunities.
• Remain current in high-impact practices as related to academic advising, student success, and higher education.
• Respond timely to Academic Alert forms submitted by faculty and staff members.
• Provide active support, follow-up, and strategies for success, as well as general walk-in/appointment times for students.
• Supports students on individual course articulations/transfers with the Registrar’s office and the academic school.Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• Performs other work-related job duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position may supervise paraprofessional students and/or graduate assistants as budget allows and would carryout supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the university’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training staff members, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining staff members; and addressing complaints and resolving issues.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to succeed in a result-driven professional organization. Maintaining professional performance, demeanor, team approach, and focus on results while working under pressure in a dynamic environment. Customer, budget, quality, and delivery conscious mindset. Ability to establish priorities, work independently with minimal supervision, and facilitate teamwork. Highly organized, with the ability to plan, execute, and multitask to meet deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.

MinimumEducation and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired, including graduate Assistantships, Internships, and Practical experiences.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage time effectively, learn, and contribute to overall departmental tasks and goals.
• Ability to lead or contribute to planning or organizing projects, programs, services, etc.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive professional relationships and resolve conflict in a team environment and with individuals from various diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to analyze information and offer sound recommendations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Teams, Outlook Calendar, and Office 365

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Related experiences in a college or university setting.
• Experience advising student organizations.
• Experience facilitating, teaching, and/or developing support programs.
• Experience in student learning assessment or program evaluation.
• Experience using software or database platforms related to the position.
• Experience with Student Affairs and/or Academic Affairs.