Academic Advisor I

Utah State University•Logan, UT

About The Position

The Academic Advisor I is a frontline contact for current and prospective students and provides comprehensive academic advising for Music Department programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The advisor helps students create individualized academic plans, understand curriculum and policy requirements, and connect academic decisions with personal, educational, and career goals. The role also advises on program changes and connects students with appropriate campus resources while applying professional judgment, institutional systems, university policies, and confidentiality standards. The advisor reviews student records and monitors degree progress, documents advising interactions, initiates referrals for students who may be at risk, and collaborates with faculty, staff, and department administrators to support student outcomes. The position also contributes to orientation, recruitment, student success programming, advisor training, and professional development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in higher education, counseling, or a related field.
One year of relevant work experience.
Knowledge of student development and ability to help students develop academic plans and career and life goals that promote retention and academic success.
Knowledge of advising and graduation requirements for an academic major, department, or school, and ability to anticipate department and student needs.
Ability to problem-solve creatively and independently, prioritize, and multitask under pressure.
Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills for serving individuals with diverse personalities.
Ability to work in a team environment and contribute to collaboration.
Commitment to understanding and supporting USU’s missions, strategic directions, and communities of engaged learners.
Knowledge of university course schedules, curriculum, and degree requirements.
Knowledge of student advising methods, including monitoring classes, scheduling, academic progress, and registration.
Ability to maintain confidential student information and comply with FERPA.
Ability to maintain professionalism in high-stress situations.
Ability to understand or learn university IT systems, including DegreeWorks, Banner, Aggie Handshake, and academic and office productivity software.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

Experience building and maintaining strong collaborative relationships.
Demonstrated ability to provide clear, professional, and persuasive oral and written communications to varied audiences.
Working knowledge of performing arts organizations and music programs.
Understanding of developmental academic advising processes.
Familiarity with complex academic curricula and policies.
Experience with DegreeWorks, Banner, and/or Aggie Handshake.

Responsibilities

Provide one-on-one academic advising on academic requirements, degree progress, course selection, and degree planning using Degree Works.
Advise students on academic decisions, including course selection, program changes, academic standing, and progression, in accordance with institutional requirements.
Help students set, evaluate, and refine realistic academic and career-related goals aligned with their interests and abilities.
Educate students about campus resources and recommend ways to use them to support academic success and retention.
Intervene with students experiencing academic difficulty and advise them on improvement plan options.
Connect academic choices and higher education to students’ long-term personal, professional, and career goals.
Discuss the value of learning communities, professional networks, and support from peers, professors, and mentors.
Participate in workshops, open houses, campus tours, orientation, recruitment, and student success programs as needed.
Review and monitor student records in Banner and Degree Works, track degree progress, and flag concerns.
Refer at-risk students to appropriate university and external resources and follow up as needed.
Maintain accurate degree audits and curriculum updates and support orientation and information sessions as assigned.
Document advising interactions and outreach promptly and accurately in Achieve/CRM.
Protect student records and information in accordance with FERPA and institutional policies.
Communicate with faculty and staff about student issues, referrals, and interventions.
Collaborate with department administrators to identify academically at-risk students and develop programming that connects them with support resources.
Engage in advisor training and professional development.
Complete University Advising onboarding and the Advising Foundations Certificate.