Academic Advisor, Embedded- College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Student Academic Affairs

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The LAS Student Academic Affairs Office (SAAO) supports the academic, personal, and professional development of every student. Through collaborations across academic advising, academic achievement program, career services, first year experience program, honors program, and international programs, we support students, promote inclusive dialogue, recognize diverse experiences, and encourage them to design experiences that enable their success. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Student Academic Affairs Office are searching for one Academic Advisor to provide holistic academic advising and coordination of student services in support of the personal, educational, and professional development of undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Each position will focus on a different area of the College, specifically Anthropology. The Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers undergraduate degree programs that explore human cultures, languages, biology, and history through a holistic study of the human experience. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology may choose from concentrations in Socio-Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology, Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, or General Anthropology, allowing them to tailor their studies to specific interests while developing strong analytical, research, and communication skills. The department also offers an interdisciplinary Computer Science and Anthropology degree that combines technical computing expertise with the study of human behavior, culture, and society, preparing students to address complex challenges at the intersection of technology and people. Across these programs, students gain valuable preparation for careers and graduate study in fields such as education, healthcare, law, public service, nonprofit organizations, business, science, and technology.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
One year of professional experience or two (2) years of graduate work experience working directly with students in secondary or higher education.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly those that enable the candidate to effectively communicate clearly with a wide range of constituencies including, students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and partners.
Organizational and assessment skills.
Intercultural skills and a commitment to inclusive practices.
Demonstrated ability to work from a strengths-based advising perspective.
Demonstrated ability to track and assess student academic progress.
Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, with a wide range of on-campus and off-campus constituencies.
Knowledge of academic skills and student development issues associated with undergraduate student populations, especially those that require enhanced advising and academic skills support.
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Zoom, web and social media, Banner, and degree audit systems.
Facilitating Student Development, Success, and Outcomes
Ability to work developmentally with students
Ability to promote student learning, development, and success by applying varied advising approaches to diverse individual student situations
Communicating for Effective Relationships
Knowledge and application of effective communication and relationship-building skills, including active listening, to work constructively and collaboratively with a variety of individuals and groups.
Communicating Complex Concepts
Knowledge and use of summarization and simplification techniques to explain complex concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience
Resourcefulness and Judgement
Ability to apply past experience and analysis of information to arrive at sound and timely conclusions.
Planning and Organizing
Ability to mobilize time and other resources to get things done.

Nice To Haves

All degree backgrounds will receive full consideration.
Preference will be given to those with degrees in the liberal arts and sciences.
Master's Degree or graduate studies in relevant student affairs fields such as education, social work, among other areas.
At least one year of full-time professional experience in academic advising/ counseling, student coaching, or teaching of life skills.

Responsibilities

Serves as the primary Academic Advisor for prospective students and students admitted into departments with identified need including holding posted drop-in and appointment hours.
Meet with faculty and department leadership to discuss disciplinary trends and department research focus in order to effectively advise students.
Serves as a freshmen registration advisor.
Contributes to orientation and onboarding activities for new students
Monitors Student Engagement Reports submitted by Faculty Members for students at-risk of experiencing academic difficulties
Contributes to Recruitment and Yield activities which may require overnight and weekend work on occasion
Assisting with/coordinating convocation ceremonies
Provide ad hoc assistance to the SAAO team and other duties as assigned to further the mission of the unit