Academic Advisor/Sr Academic Advisor - School of Molecular and Cellular Biology

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB) within 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 empowering students to succeed. The Academic Advisor educates students about major, minor, and certificate requirements; consults with students about coursework and academic performance; provides career development coaching; and supports students as they explore vocational goals and prepare for employment, graduate school, or professional school. The role also contributes to student recruitment, orientation, engagement programming, workshops, and graduation convocation, while maintaining student interaction records and fostering collegial relationships. The Senior Academic Advisor performs advanced advising and provides leadership within the advising team. In addition to advising students, the Senior Advisor trains and mentors junior advisors, handles complex advising cases and policy interpretation, leads career programming and partnerships, supports staff development, and improves advising practices through data-informed decisions and continuous improvement. The role also leads student engagement initiatives, contributes to strategic planning and policy development, and carries out student recruitment, orientation, programming, and administrative responsibilities. These are 100% full-time Academic Professional positions appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The Academic Advisor salary range is $55,000–$65,000; the Senior Academic Advisor salary range is $57,000–$67,000. The positions are based at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus and are expected to be performed there on a full-time basis under the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. The positions are not eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

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.
Ability to collaborate with colleagues within and across units.
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

Advise undergraduate students about requirements for MCB majors, minors, and certificates through individual conferences and group meetings.
Consult with students about course expectations and academic performance.
Provide career development coaching and guidance, helping students identify vocational goals and develop skills 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 and foster positive collegial relationships among students, staff, and faculty.
For the Senior Academic Advisor, lead advising initiatives, train and mentor junior advisors, and serve as a resource for complex advising cases and policy interpretation.
For the Senior Academic Advisor, develop and lead career-focused programming and workshops and establish partnerships with campus career services and external organizations.
For the Senior Academic Advisor, mentor and support advising staff’s professional development and lead data-informed improvement of advising practices.
For the Senior Academic Advisor, stay current with academic advising and student development trends and best practices.
For the Senior Academic Advisor, lead student engagement initiatives promoting retention and belonging and participate in strategic planning and policy development for advising services.