Academic Advisor

Westfield State University • Westfield, MA

23h • Onsite

About The Position

Westfield State University, founded in 1839, is a public higher education institution committed to Horace Mann's ideals of social responsibility and innovative thinking. The university offers a liberal arts and professional studies curriculum designed to develop knowledgeable, skilled, and ethical leaders and engaged citizens. With a highly residential campus of approximately 3,100 full-time undergraduate students, Westfield State is situated in western Massachusetts, offering access to cultural centers, outdoor activities, and major cities like Boston and New York City. The university values diversity, excellence, integrity, collaboration, accessible education, community building, and civic engagement. This position invites individuals to advance their careers and contribute to the university's mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in higher education (e.g., academic advising, admissions, financial aid, career services, student affairs, or programs serving first-generation college students).
• Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, and advising skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and university personnel.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to individual and cultural differences and the ability to interact respectfully and equitably with students from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Ability to clearly explain institutional academic policies, financial aid procedures, degree completion requirements, and other expectations of college life to students and families.
• Working knowledge of FERPA regulations and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential student information appropriately.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, and attention to detail, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively and manage multiple complex tasks and competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in data management and reporting systems, with the ability to interpret student outcome data to support advising and retention efforts.
• Experience creating and delivering presentations, workshops, or training sessions.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success and student-centered advising practices.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required for student-facing programs and events.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Social Work, Student Affairs, or a related field from an accredited institution (or current enrollment in such a program).
• Experience in student-facing roles such as academic advising, counseling, mentoring, or tutoring within a higher education setting.
• Experience advising specific student populations, including first-year students, transfer students, students on academic warning or probation, or students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
• Knowledge of developmental, proactive, appreciative, or holistic advising theories and approaches, consistent with NACADA Core Competencies.
• Familiarity with university systems such as Banner, Degree Works, Navigate360, Starfish, or comparable advising and early alert platforms.
• Prior supervisory or peer leadership experience in a higher education environment.
• Active membership or involvement in NACADA or a regional academic advising association.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish or another language reflective of the student population served.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive, holistic academic advising to an assigned caseload of undergraduate students, in collaboration with faculty advisors, to support informed decision-making, retention, and on-time graduation.
• Analyze and interpret student data, transcripts, academic histories, and placement results to develop individualized academic plans, and offer guidance on university policies, academic programs, degree requirements, institutional resources, and career pathways.
• Assist students with registration, add/drop, withdrawals, changes of curriculum, and related academic processes, reviewing academic records to ensure appropriate course recommendations, including walk-in advising support during peak enrollment periods throughout the year.
• Advocate for students by identifying barriers to success and connecting students to appropriate campus and community resources including tutoring, counseling, accessibility services, financial aid, and wellness support services.
• Monitor academic progress throughout the semester and use early alert platforms, including Starfish (WSU 360), to identify at-risk students and implement timely, targeted outreach and intervention strategies.
• Contribute to institutional retention and persistence initiatives through data-informed advising strategies and collaborative planning.
• Design, coordinate, and deliver advising materials, programs, workshops, and events that promote student engagement, success, and retention.
• Participate and assist with admissions events, New Student Orientation, and other campus-wide enrollment and retention programs.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, Academic Deans, staff, and key campus stakeholders, and represent the advising office on university-wide committees and at institutional meetings.
• Maintain accurate and timely electronic records of advising meetings, outreach, case notes, referrals, and student progress within university systems.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and all applicable University policies and procedures.
• Maintain proficiency in university technology systems, including Banner, Degree Works, Starfish (WSU 360), Argos, Zoom, and related advising and reporting platforms.
• Assist with recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising peer advisors, student employees, graduate assistants, and interns.
• Remain current with trends and best practices in academic advising and student success.
• Participate in professional development opportunities that include workshops, conferences, webinars, and professional associations aligned with advising and NACADA core competencies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees.
• Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
• Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
• Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.

What This Job Offers

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