Academic Advisor I or II

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee•Milwaukee, WI

About The Position

The Academic Advisor I or II advises admitted Graduate Business students at the Lubar College of Business, guiding them through course selection and the requirements and options available across graduate degree programs. The advisor provides information about university policies, processes, and resources; monitors students’ degree progress; and supports their retention, persistence, and degree completion. The role collaborates with Graduate Student Services, faculty, staff, alumni, and industry partners to develop advising, recruitment, mentoring, and student-engagement initiatives. Responsibilities include planning events and communications, developing an annual retention plan, supporting program changes and admission decisions, and assessing recruitment and engagement efforts using campus CRM data, college data, surveys, and focus groups. The advisor also maintains accurate and confidential student records and ensures compliance with institutional policies and requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher.
At least one year of professional academic advising experience in higher education, working directly with students.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or higher.
Experience advising graduate students.
Three or more years of advising experience at UWM or a similar institution.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, as evidenced by application materials and interviews where applicable.
Experience building positive relationships with diverse populations.
Prior experience working with transfer, international, and/or graduate students.
Experience coordinating student programming and events.

Responsibilities

Advise, coach, and guide admitted Graduate Business students as they explore courses and degree programs.
Maintain thorough knowledge of graduate programs, academic requirements, and the benefits of completing a program at the Lubar College of Business.
Provide in-depth advising on curricula, graduate education, university policies, processes, procedures, and available resources.
Monitor student degree progress and support students from matriculation through degree completion.
Collaborate with Graduate Student Services to develop and host events and conduct outreach to admitted students.
Lead development and execution of the annual retention plan, including initiatives, processes, and events intended to support graduation rates.
Work with faculty on program changes and admission decisions.
Assess recruitment initiatives and their effect on student yield using campus CRM data, college data, surveys, and focus groups; refine recruitment plans based on findings.
Participate in campus-wide advising and graduate communities and provide input to leadership on advising, recruitment, and co-curricular programs.
Design and implement engagement initiatives that foster belonging and community among Graduate Business students.
Develop mentoring programming connecting alumni and industry professionals with current Graduate Business students.
Plan and coordinate orientation programs, workshops, networking events, and student development activities.
Collaborate with faculty, staff, alumni, and industry partners to create student engagement opportunities.
Develop communications about academic deadlines, campus resources, and professional development events.
Build relationships with prospective, current, and graduating students to support retention, persistence, and student satisfaction.
Track engagement metrics and contribute to student-success and retention initiatives through data-informed decision-making.
Maintain confidentiality and accurate student records and respond to academic inquiries in accordance with institutional and FERPA policies.
Maintain compliance with graduate program, college, and university requirements and technology systems related to admissions, assessment, degree progress, and program review.
Serve as a primary resource for graduate applicants, current students, faculty, staff, and other academic-program stakeholders.
Provide guidance and/or develop recommendations or changes to graduate-program policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.