Academic Advisor - Department of Communication (College of LAS)

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Communication is searching for an Academic Advisor to provide holistic academic advising and coordination of student services in support of the personal, educational, and professional development of undergraduate students. Advisors serve as the primary point of contact for prospective and admitted students, offering guidance on academic planning, degree progress, experiential learning opportunities, and post‑baccalaureate pathways. Advisors collaborate closely with faculty and departmental leadership to ensure students receive accurate, timely, and developmentally appropriate support throughout their academic careers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
One (1) year of professional experience or two (2) years of graduate work.
Experience working directly with students in secondary or higher education.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Communication or related field.
Two years of advising and/or teaching experience at the university level.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly those that enable the candidate to effectively communicate clearly with a wide range of constituencies including, students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and partners.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practices.
Demonstrated ability to work from a strengths-based advising perspective.
Demonstrated ability to track and assess student academic progress.
Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, with a wide range of on-campus and off-campus constituencies.
Knowledge of academic skills and student development issues associated with undergraduate student populations, especially those that require enhanced advising and academic skills support.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Zoom, web and social media, Banner, and degree audit systems
Ability to work developmentally with students; ability to promote student learning, development, and success by applying varied advising approaches to complex individual student situations.
Knowledge and application of effective communication and relationship building skills, including active listening, to work constructively and collaboratively with a variety of individuals and groups.
Knowledge and use of summarization and simplification techniques to explain complex concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience.
Ability to apply past experience and analysis of information to arrive at sound and timely conclusions.
Ability to mobilize time and other resources to get things done.

Responsibilities

Primary Academic Advisor for prospective and admitted students in the Department of Communication including holding posted drop-in and appointment hours
Meet with faculty and department leadership to discuss disciplinary trends and department research focus in order to effectively advise students
Assist students with course selection and registration
Advocate on behalf of students experiencing personal difficulties and referring them to appropriate campus resources
Track students’ progress toward a degree and to determine when students need additional academic assistance and design individual support plans for students
Contributes to orientation and onboarding activities for new students
Plan and assist with undergraduate student events, including orientation, convocation, and activity fairs
Representing the department at student activities
Work with department-related student groups
Select and supervise student advising interns
Participate in departmental communication/marketing efforts
Advise students on academic opportunities including study abroad and teaching, research, and career internship programs
Advise students on post-baccalaureate plans such as graduate or professional schools and careers