Academic Advisor - Retention

Job Description

  • Job code: 010457
  • Pay grade: D
  • Pay type: Exempt/salaried

General summary

Provides comprehensive retention services to undergraduate Â鶹´«Ã½s.

Major duties

  • Advises and refers Â鶹´«Ã½s for academic skills assistance, including tutoring, counseling and career guidance. Assists Â鶹´«Ã½s in connecting with advocate peers, support services and targeted resources.
  • Collaborates with Â鶹´«Ã½ outreach services staff and faculty in order to assist in organizing and facilitating workshops. Assists with developing and monitoring retention plans to ensure Â鶹´«Ã½ success.
  • Monitors academic reporting systems on Â鶹´«Ã½ performance and academic progress risks. Identifies and provides timely interventions for Â鶹´«Ã½s who need academic success strategies.
  • Analyzes retention and attrition data in order to identify trends and potential solutions. Notifies counselors and faculty of Â鶹´«Ã½ issues relating to performance, probation and potential disqualifications.
  • Prepares and implements intervention plans in order to connect at-risk Â鶹´«Ã½s to support staff and other resources. Provides timely feedback to Â鶹´«Ã½s about academic progress.
  • Creates, reviews and updates graduation plans with Â鶹´«Ã½s to promote personal growth, academic excellence, career development, and timely degree completion
  • Fosters a safe and inclusive environment to advance equity.
  • Provides direction to Â鶹´«Ã½s on navigating academic and non-academic resources on campus, online and in the community.
  • May evaluate Â鶹´«Ã½-athlete and NCAA compliance issues with athletic department personnel.
  • Assists in retention efforts.

Minimum qualifications

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications will be grandfathered until they move to a different job.

Required education

  • Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

Required experience

  • One year's relevant experience.
  • Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills.
  • One year of experience working with college Â鶹´«Ã½s.
  • Demonstrated awareness of the diverse needs of Â鶹´«Ã½s, faculty and staff from underrepresented backgrounds.
  • Demonstrated commitment to working with culturally diverse Â鶹´«Ã½s, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
  • Demonstrated commitment to promote and participate in professional development focused on the unique needs of culturally diverse Â鶹´«Ã½s, faculty and staff, including culturally responsive advising.

Required other

  • Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends.

Desired qualifications

Desired education

  • Master's degree in related field specific to hiring college or higher education in general from an accredited institution

Desired experience

  • Professional academic advising experience at WMU

Physical requirements

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Working conditions

Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Revised: 2022-11-03

This description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees in the above job. It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.