Spur Start Academic Advisor & Enrollment Coach

Colorado State University•Denver, CO

9d•$60,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

Based at CSU Spur in Denver, Colorado, this position provides CSU Spur Start Students comprehensive and proactive academic advising focused on advancing student success, retention, and timely degree completion. In addition to responsibilities expected from a Level 1 Academic Advisor, the Academic Advisor Level 2 applies strategic caseload management practices—including data-informed outreach, early intervention, and targeted support—to address varying student needs and risk levels. Given the unique population that this position advises, expectations include recruitment and major alignment with Spur Start students and onboarding activities that contribute to the comprehensive approach to Spur Start student success. The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is responsible for providing the academic vision and leadership to fulfill the University’s land-grant mission. The work unit articulates, communicates, and facilitates the development of fundamental values basic to the University’s mission and administers academic programs and policies. It oversees the academic programming and faculty affairs on campus, as well as provides oversight for the Spur Start program. The CSU Spur Start program is a newly developed initiative that expands Colorado State University's commitment to educational access by creating a distinctive first-year experience for students in the Denver metropolitan area and beyond. Based at the CSU Spur campus in Denver, the program provides an accessible and affordable pathway for students who may not otherwise see a four-year degree as attainable. Students begin their college journey at Spur before transitioning to the Fort Collins campus for their second year, benefiting from a model that combines the personalized experience of a small, cohort-based learning community with the resources and opportunities of a major research university. Through individualized support, close relationships with faculty and peers, experiential learning, and intentional programming that fosters belonging, Spur Start offers a truly differentiated educational experience. By leveraging the unique learning assets of the CSU Spur campus while maintaining a strong connection to the broader CSU community, the program delivers compelling value and helps students build a strong academic, social, and personal foundation for success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree.
3 years professional experience as an academic advisor in a higher education setting.
Evidence of professional development in the field of academic advising.
Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently while maintaining attention to detail.
Experience supporting the needs of first-generation and limited income students.
Experience establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience providing holistic support to students from historically minoritized communities, including major exploration and connections to academic, career, and campus resources.
Demonstrated experience in creative problem-solving, and independent decision-making.
Strong organization and administrative skills with a proven ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Experience supervising, mentoring, or coaching others, with a demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of mutual accountability.
Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to manage sensitive, confidential information with strict discretion and emotional intelligence.
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (verbal and written).

Responsibilities

Independently manage an advising caseload, applying knowledge of advising best practices and institutional knowledge to support degree planning, major and career exploration, and academic goal setting, in light of increasingly complex student needs.
Analyze student data, track outcomes, and contribute to assessment efforts while leveraging advising technologies to improve delivery of advising services and caseload management.
Advise incoming first-year students through enrollment processes, providing an evaluation of program alignment with student’s degree path and transfer credits.
Coordinate and/or lead components of new student onboarding, including Spur Start orientation and transition programming.
Provide active outreach to Spur Start students in their transition year to Fort Collins.
Assist with the advisor hand-off to main campus for the year two transition.
Contribute to development of targeted outreach strategies to support student success and retention initiatives based on advising profession best practices; conduct proactive outreach and collaborate with faculty and staff to coordinate support for student progress.
Interpret and apply university policies with depth and nuance, proactively advising students and resolving moderately complex to complex issues; exercise independent judgment in determining appropriate actions and referrals.
Advance holistic and culturally responsive advising strategies that support student development and persistence.
Guide students in developing autonomy, decision-making capacity, and effective self-advocacy.
Serve as an experienced resource to Fort Collins advisors and Spur campus partners.
Serve as a resource for the admissions and recruitment team based in Denver, sharing information regarding the program match with a student's intended major and offering collaboration within the recruitment process when needed.
Engage in professional development, contribute to training and onboarding, participate in the advising community, and present or contribute to professional forums.
Contribute to Spur Start-specific student success activities that are adjacent to academic advising (e.g., recruitment, curriculum, internship coordination, the Spur Start learning community, student clubs or organizations, student mentoring programs, scholarship programs, first-year/transition seminars, liaison with College Track scholars, Fort Collins campus liaison to key resource offices including the Office of Financial Aid, the Hub, Parent and Family Programs and others as determined by developing need.
Other related duties.