Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Education Degree Programs

Charter Oak State College • New Britain, CT

5d • $74,762 - $101,457 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Academic Advisor serves as a primary facilitator of student success in a distance learning environment, managing a caseload of students. Working collaboratively with the School of Education (SOE) Director of Undergraduate Education Programs and the SOE Academic Advising team, the advisor helps develop and implement efficient, student-centered advising processes that support student success. With a solid foundation in adult learning theory, the advisor provides individualized guidance and support to students, exercising independent judgment to advance the goals of apprenticeship and teacher residency programs through academic advising, registration, student onboarding, retention, and other program support activities.

Requirements

• Proven ability to effectively work with a diverse set of faculty, staff, and students.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong information technology literacy skills.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following:
• Master’s degree in Education or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in education, higher education, academic advising, student services, educator preparation, or a related field, including experience advising or supporting adult learners.
• Knowledge of Connecticut educator preparation pathways, certification requirements, workforce initiatives, and early childhood education systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in online, hybrid, or distance learning environments.
• Experience recruiting, advising, and supporting prospective and enrolled students in higher education, particularly adult learners.
• Experience analyzing and applying enrollment, retention, persistence, and student success data to inform student support strategies and interventions.
• Advanced proficiency with higher education technologies, including student information systems, learning management systems, CRM systems, and data reporting tools; experience assisting students with scholarships, grants, or financial aid programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Guide Students through academic planning, degree completion, and career goal attainment.
• Manage caseload of students using independent judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Apply knowledge of adult development and learning theory to support a diverse student population.
• Provide registration support to visiting students, as needed, and connect interested students with the Admissions team to explore pathways to degree completion.
• Instruct students in accessing options and services.
• Support students to informally assess their abilities, interests, skills, and achievements to establish academic and career goals.
• Interpret college policies and procedures.
• Support retention and academic success by fostering positive student relationships.
• Maintain student confidentiality.
• Communicate with students using a variety of modalities.
• Support undergraduate students enrolled in apprenticeship, teacher residency, and other educator workforce development initiatives, facilitating student success, persistence, and program completion.
• Assist students in meeting program specific requirements.
• Support students in applying for relevant scholarships, grants, and financial assistance opportunities, including those offered by Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and Office of Early Childhood (OEC).
• Monitor student progress and provide proactive outreach to support persistence and completion.
• Support the School of Education’s efforts to increase the number of qualified educators across educational settings.
• Support the coordination of communication and outreach efforts that provide information, guidance, and support to prospective and current students while fostering relationships with employers, school districts, and community organizations related to apprenticeship and teacher residency pathways.
• Participate in recruitment events, information sessions, and outreach activities.
• Send mass communications to students and external stakeholders, as assigned.
• Collaborate with program staff to develop and maintain informational resources, including handbooks, guides, worksheets, and related materials.
• Ensure effective program administration, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Attend advising team meetings and other meetings.
• Collaborate with faculty and serve as student advocate in developing and refining academic programs and policies.
• Monitor School of Education and ARC email inbox, responding to routine inquiries and forwarding requests as appropriate.
• Support departmental efforts to update and maintain automated student communications.
• Maintain current knowledge of professional, academic, and field-specific issues.
• Contribute to assessment, reporting, and grant-related activities, as assigned.
• Perform other duties in support of the School of Education, ARC, and Charter Oak State College mission.

Benefits

• Excellent State of CT medical insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Generous leave policies
• Several retirement plans
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits
• Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior