Academic and Career Advisor

Concordia is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and in the world.

Position Summary

Academic and career advising at Concordia University is a developmental process that considers students' academic needs, goals, interests, and God-given strengths. Academic and Career Advisors promote student success and increase student enrollment and retention by establishing and maintaining effective communication with students, assisting students with defining and clarifying their educational and career goals, and resolving issues related to academic difficulties.

The Academic and Career Advisor reports to the Director of the Center for Academic Advising and Career Engagement and is housed within Student Success. The Advisor will collaborate closely with program directors, faculty, and staff within the academic school to which they are assigned, to maintain knowledge of programs and advocate for a student-centered approach in the holistic development of her/his advisees.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Academic & Career Advising

• Provides academic support to students by being knowledgeable of academic policies and procedures,
• Guides students in decision-making, assists students seeking academic information, and directs students to resources within the University that provide additional assistance (e.g., financial aid, student employment, etc.),
• Assesses when a student's situation requires referral to campus resources,
• Facilitates the registration process for students by guiding students in course selection and the process for registering for courses,
• Documents communication with advisees through Navigate to provide transparency regarding interactions and direction provided to advisees,
• Promotes the advisor/advisee relationship by effectively using the various tools of communication including email, telephone, face-to-face meetings, and text messaging,
• Works closely with the Director and Assistant Directors to monitor course availability and communicates issues in a timely manner,
• Empowers students to be active responsible learners and assist them in making well-informed decisions,
• Identifies campus activities, and programs opportunities related to students' major,
• Maintains a consistent pattern of contact and communications with assigned students,
• Uses data to provide timely outreach to students on their academic progress,
• Maintains and ensure confidentiality of student records,
• Provides expertise in resume and CV development, interviewing skills, application materials, and other needs relevant to the profession,
• Utilizes skills inventories to assess student interests, aptitudes, and abilities and assist in the academic and career goal setting processes,
• Helps students develop their knowledge of academic, career, and internship opportunities within their chosen academic field,
• Collaborates with faculty to connect students with experiential learning opportunities which clarify their vocational aspirations,
• Maintains awareness of market trends, demands, and outlooks for occupations relevant to assigned academic/vocational field,
• Facilitates opportunities for students to link with alumni, employers, professional organizations,
• Maintains a high standard of conscientious, courteous, enthusiastic, and professional service.

Academic Support - Coaching and Risk Intervention

• Mentors students who are deemed at-risk, including students on probation,
• Monitors progress of at-risk and probation students, as assigned,
• Maintains high level of responsiveness to the Early Alert System,
• Proactively connects students who are in academic jeopardy with the appropriate support systems.

Projects, Advocacy, and Service

• Collaborates with stakeholders to implement changes for effective programming,
• Attends faculty meetings for assigned programs,
• Develops expertise within one or more areas of nationally recognized Advising and/or Career Development practices,
• Contributes to department student experience initiatives as assigned,
• Maintains technological proficiency in Banner, Blackboard, Outlook, Degree Works, Navigate, and Handshake,
• Contributes to the overall success of the office by performing all other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands/Equipment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Technology - Proficiency in using Banner, Blackboard, Blackboard Analytics - Pyramid, Degree Works, Aviso, Handshake, Zoom
• Relational - Response time, Regular outreach, Rapport building, Office environment
• Conceptual - purpose, expectations, mission fit, strategic planning
• Informational - core, advising policies, student populations, athletic-eligibility
• Personal - professional development, professional competence, cultural competence
• Supportive of the mission and values of Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt (salary) staff position. The starting wage may be determined upon education and/or experience. Concordia University benefit options include, but are not limited to the following:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Personal Spending Account, Flexible Spending Account, and/or Health Savings Account
• Disability and Survivor Plan
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
• Basic Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage
• Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Tuition waiver benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)

Compensation and Benefits (Click to View)

Application Instructions

To receive full consideration, all applicants are asked to complete and submit an online employment application through the Concordia University Employment page. To begin, please click the Apply Now section on the job page and then click the Apply For This Position button to begin the application process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of CU to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The University will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, gender, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

However, CU is an institution of the LCMS and, to the extent allowed by law, CU reserves the right to give preference in employment based on religion. In addition, preference in holding certain employment positions is given to ordained or rostered ministers of the LCMS. Based on a religious tenet, CU recognizes only male, LCMS ordained Ministers of the Gospel, but recognizes both male and female LCMS Rostered Ministers of the Gospel.

The Human Resources Department has been appointed to manage the equal employment opportunity, including all equal employment opportunity activities, as required by federal, state and local agencies. If any employee or applicant for employment believes this policy has been violated, he/she must contact the Director of Human Resources.

Concordia University is a HLC accredited, co-educational, liberal arts school offering more than 70 undergraduate majors, over 40 master's degree programs, and 4 doctoral programs. There are also a variety of accelerated evening and e-learning programs.