Academic Advisor

Northeastern University•Oakland, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

While the Academic Advisors’ role differs based on the population they serve, most advisors work with students to help them understand the pathways to a degree as well as support those who experience academic difficulty. They are responsible for interpreting and explaining University policies and procedures to their student population. Advisors guide students towards meeting their personal, academic, and professional goals; assist with creating academic plans and course registration to ensure they are on track to completing their requirements; monitor academic progress to encourage the successful and timely completion of degree requirements; and build relationships with students to understand their personal and academic needs. Advisors support the development and assessment of support programs to enhance the students' academic experience and increase the retention rates. They also serve as the liaison between students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Requirements

Knowledge of academic policies, procedures, college curricular matters, major requirements, counseling practices, and development theory to create a student-centered academic environment
Proficiency with the Microsoft Windows suite of applications
Ability to quickly identify and analyze problems and develop specific and realistic solutions
Effective written, presentation, and verbal skills, with the ability to communicate empathically and build trust to create a comfortable environment where students feel willing to ask for help
Ability to break down and explain complex policies and processes in a way that students easily understand
Effective planning and organizational skills, with the attention to detail required to track deadlines, monitor progress, and facilitate completion of degree requirements for every student while holding them accountable
Knowledge and skills typically acquired through a master's degree, preferably in counseling, human services, or higher education (or equivalent experience advising in a college/university), and relevant work experience, preferably in higher education

Responsibilities

Advise students on a wide range of academic issues as they move from their first year through graduation, including creating academic plans, course registration, and monitoring academic progress to encourage the successful and timely completion of degree requirements.
Identify and support academically at-risk students including those withdrawing from courses, off-track for timely graduation, not meeting satisfactory academic progress; provide coaching and referrals.
Manage activities such as graduation clearance, academic audits, transfer credit evaluation, dean's certification reports, academic probation reviews and/or academic standing reports and reviewing advising statistics.
Collaborate with the office team by participating in all orientations and in special events.
Work in partnership with faculty mentors and Chairs to develop advising support initiatives that will enhance the quality of students' academic experience and increase retention of students, particularly freshmen, international, and transfer students.
Teach sections First Year Experience along with other advising team members.
Participate in hiring and supervising undergraduate teaching assistants for the first-year seminar.
Collaborate with others to develop new course modules and methods.