Professional Academic Advisor

Position Title Professional Academic Advisor
Position Number 500011
Salary Range Commensurate with education and experience
Position Type Unclassified Staff
Department Information
Ending Effective Date of Temporary Employment
Department Academic Services Center
Job Duties
Responsibility / Duty
Advise 250-350 students per semester (average assigned advising load). All students enrolled in an instructor’s UNIV 101 section are assigned that instructor as their advisor. Advising includes regular scheduled appointments, walk-in visits, transfer student contact, prospective student visits, and other student assistance as needed. -Scheduled Advising Appointments: Advisors are required to offer enough appointment availabilities to accommodate the number of assigned students. -Office Hours: advisors are responsible for maintaining office hours and an open door policy to see students on a walk-in basis. Walk-in appointment meetings include, but are not limited to, academic advising, the answering of general questions, the discussion of academic resources, referrals to other departments, and emotional support. -Documentation: all advisors are required to maintain documentation of advising activities in GradesFirst. Documentation includes records of advising visits, degree checklists, notes, and progress reports. -Progress Reports: advisors are responsible for contacting and meeting with all advisees flagged at risk academically. This may occur 3 to 5 times per semester. -Contact: all advisors are required to maintain contact with their assigned students. This includes at least one introductory contact at the beginning of the semester, one or more contacts during the semester, two invitations for advising appointments (first and second request), one contact at the end of the semester, and contact upon exiting. In addition, advisors correspond with students for various other reasons throughout the semester. -Degree Checklists: all advisors are required to maintain current degree checklists for assigned students. These checklists are disseminated to students at their regular scheduled advising appointments, or upon request by the student. -Transfer Liaison: advisors make initial contact with freshman transfer students after their inquiry to the university or after transcript evaluation is complete. The advisor is responsible assisting the student with registration, and referral to campus services and academic departments as needed. This service includes non-freshman transfer students as needed.
Percentage Of Time 40
Responsibility / Duty
Teach 10-12 sections of UNIV 101 and/or UNIV 100 per year, plus sections for Nicholls Online. Course load may change depending on student needs. On average, instructors teach 250 students each fall and 50 students each spring semester. Advisors are also responsible for completing Progress Reports multiple times throughout the semester at the request of Academic Affairs. Course load varies depending on admission trends.
Percentage Of Time 40
Responsibility / Duty
Various responsibilities completed throughout the year to meet university needs. Advisors assist other departments on campus to make sure all student needs are met. -Freshmen Orientation: participate in several sessions per year. Advisors pre-register all incoming freshmen based on current placement and declared major. Advisors present an information session at all orientation sessions and distribute schedules. Advisors also assist students with schedule changes. -Financial Aid Appeals: Throughout the year, advisors prepare academic plan letters and discuss academic plans with students. Advisors counsel students on Satisfactory Academic Progress and improving academic performance following a suspension of financial aid due to failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. -At-Risk Advising: spring and fall semesters. Advisors supervise and participate in an at-risk advising program in cooperation with interns assigned to the Advising Center. At-risk students are designated as suspension appeal approvals and athletes selected by coaches. Most at-risk advising occurs in the spring semester when course loads are lighter. -Campus Tours: as needed. Advisors meet with tour groups to discuss academics and college preparation when departmental representatives are not available. -Professional development: all advisors participate in Café events by either attending events or facilitating and presenting at Café events. All advisors participate in professional development activities including weekly faculty meetings and other campus professional development events. -Accountable for ensuring that affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.
Percentage Of Time 10
Responsibility / Duty
Special Assignment: As specified by supervisor
Percentage Of Time 10
Posting Detail Information
Minimum Experience Required
Must be computer literate.
Minimum Education Required
Minimum Bachelor’s degree with at least a Master’s in progress.
Minimum Licenses Required
N/A
Other Minimum Requirements
Creativity and adaptability, and a strong desire to work closely with students
and colleagues.
Test(s) Required
N/A
Preferred Education
Master’s degree or above.
Preferred Experience
A background in academic advising, teaching, or student services.
Preferred Licenses
N/A
Other Preferred Requirements
Knowledge of educational and advising software such as Banner, Grades
First and Learning Management Systems (Moodle, Canvas, etc.).
Physical Demands
Employment Year Fiscal Year
If Grant Period or Specified Period selected, please specify begin date
If Grant Period or Specified Period selected, please specify end date
Employment Basis Full-time