Academic Advisor/Senior Academic Advisor - School of Molecular and Cellular Biology-College of LAS

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

19h•$55,000 - $67,000•Onsite

About The Position

The School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is hiring an Academic Advisor and/or Senior Academic Advisor. The roles provide academic and career advising to undergraduates in MCB, MCB + Data Science, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, and Biology. The School seeks candidates committed to collaboration, inclusive practices, and helping students succeed. The Academic Advisor educates students about major, minor, and certificate requirements; advises them on course expectations and academic performance; provides career development guidance; supports student recruitment and engagement; helps plan programs and workshops; and maintains student records and collegial relationships. The Senior Academic Advisor performs advanced advising and also provides leadership within the advising team. This includes mentoring and training advisors, supporting complex advising cases and policy interpretation, leading career programming and student engagement initiatives, building partnerships, contributing to advising strategy and policy, and using data and continuous improvement to strengthen advising practices. These are full-time, 12-month Academic Professional appointments. The positions are expected to work full-time on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the application closing date. The position is not eligible for work-authorization sponsorship. The Academic Advisor budgeted salary range is $55,000–$65,000; the Senior Academic Advisor range is $57,000–$67,000. The positions are intended to be eligible for benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biological science or a related field, with substantial knowledge of biology or a related field.
Academic Advisor: training or demonstrated experience in advising, teaching, or counseling in a college or university setting.
Senior Academic Advisor: five or more years of professional experience in advising, teaching, or counseling in a college or university setting.
Senior Academic Advisor: demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a leadership capacity within an advising or student services team.
Well-established communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated attention to detail and effective record-keeping.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with colleagues within and across units.
Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and manage multiple tasks and priorities.
Experience with event planning.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in biological science, higher education, or a related field.
Academic Advisor: at least one year of professional experience in advising, student services, counseling, or teaching in a college or university setting.
Senior Academic Advisor: at least three years of professional experience in advising, student services, counseling, or teaching in a college or university setting.
Experience working with undergraduates at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or another large public university.
Experience mentoring staff or leading advising initiatives.

Responsibilities

Educate students about requirements for School of MCB majors, minors, and certificates through individual advising and group meetings.
Advise and consult with students about course expectations and academic performance.
Provide career development coaching and guidance, help students explore vocational goals, and support preparation for employment, graduate school, and professional school.
Assist with recruiting, orienting, and welcoming new students to the School of MCB.
Plan, host, and advertise programs and workshops that support continuing students’ education and success.
Assist with convocation for School of MCB graduates.
Maintain accurate and timely records of student interactions.
Attend School and College meetings as required and foster positive relationships among students, staff, and faculty.
For the Senior Academic Advisor role, provide leadership in advising initiatives, train and mentor junior advisors, and serve as a resource for complex advising cases and policy interpretation.
For the Senior Academic Advisor role, develop and lead career-focused programming and workshops and establish partnerships with campus career services and external organizations.
For the Senior Academic Advisor role, mentor advising staff, support their professional development, and lead data-informed improvement of advising practices.
For the Senior Academic Advisor role, lead student engagement initiatives promoting retention and belonging, and participate in strategic planning and advising policy development.
For the Senior Academic Advisor role, stay current with trends and best practices in academic advising and student development.