Academic Advisor (SSP II)

CSU Careers•Turlock, CA

About The Position

Classified as: Student Support Professional II Full-time position available on or after February 16, 2026 for Master's of Business Administration. Under general supervision, the Academic Advisor works closely with the MBA Program Director and various Departmental Chairs to provide comprehensive academic advising and student support services for both undergraduate and graduate business students, with primary responsibility for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. The incumbent assists students in achieving their academic, professional, and personal goals by providing expert guidance on course planning, program requirements, academic policies, and university procedures. The Academic Advisor works closely with faculty, program directors, and administrative staff to ensure seamless student progression from admission through graduation, contributing to student success and retention. The incumbent also supports recruitment, orientation, and degree completion activities, and participates in the development and delivery of workshops and materials that enhance the student experience.

Requirements

Education: Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master’s degree in a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.
Experience: Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job‑related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied them.
Working knowledge of the practices, procedures and activities of the program to which Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job‑related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the assigned.
General knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management.
General knowledge of research and interview techniques; and of the principles of individual and group behavior.
Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations.
Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
Ability to obtain factual and interpretive information through interviews.
Ability to reason logically; ability to collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentation based on these data.
Ability to advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required.
Ability to recognize multicultural, multi-sexed and multi-aged value systems and work accordingly.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts.
Ability to rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions and programs of the campus to which assigned.
Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas.
A background check (which may include: checks of employment records, education records, criminal records, civil records, motor vehicle records, professional licenses, and sex offender registries, as position requires) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be employed with the CSU.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education, counseling, business administration, or a related field.
Experience advising undergraduate and/or graduate students, preferably in a business or professional school setting.
Experience conducting workshops and facilitating events.
Prior experience in a higher education or university setting.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized academic advising to current and prospective undergraduate and MBA students regarding degree requirements, course selection, registration, academic standing, and graduation.
Assist students in developing academic plans that align with their educational and professional objectives.
Conduct degree audits, evaluate transcripts, and monitor student progress toward degree completion.
Advise students on petitions, substitutions, leaves of absence, and other academic requests.
Serve as a resource for students experiencing academic or personal challenges, referring them to appropriate campus resources.
Participate in MBA/ undergraduate recruitment events, information sessions, and outreach activities for prospective students.
Review and evaluate admissions materials, assisting applicants with understanding prerequisites and program expectations.
Support onboarding and orientation activities for new undergraduate and MBA students to ensure successful transition into the program.
Collaborate with the Director and program staff to enhance marketing and recruitment strategies.
Serve as a key liaison between students, faculty, and administrative offices.
Maintain accurate student records in accordance with University and College policies.
Contribute to the development and dissemination of advising resources, guides, and communication materials.
Coordinate advising appointments, events, and workshops related to academic planning, graduation preparation, and career readiness.
Track and analyze student enrollment, retention, and graduation data to identify trends and make recommendations for program improvement.
Prepare reports for the MBA Director and College leadership to support accreditation, assessment, and strategic planning efforts.
May be required to obtain additional training and/or certification as part of professional development, based on department and/or campus needs, to stay current with industry standards.
At the direction of appropriate administrator, may provide support to other areas as needed.
The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this classification.
Other duties as assigned.