Academic Success Advisor, Online Business Programs

Montclair State University•Montclair, NJ

About The Position

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Academic Advising, the Academic Success Advisor, Online Business Programs provides academic advising and ongoing academic success support to an assigned caseload of students enrolled in the Feliciano School of Business online programs. The advisor supports students from initial enrollment through graduation through academic planning, proactive outreach, and individualized coaching. The role collaborates with the Ellyn A. McColgan Student Services Center, Montclair Unbound, faculty, and University offices to address barriers to academic progress and continued enrollment. Students served have varied educational backgrounds and responsibilities, including adult learners, transfer students, and students returning to college. The advisor also contributes to virtual orientation activities, workshops, accessible advising resources, student support improvements, and analysis of caseload progress, registration, and engagement with support services. The position participates in recruitment, orientation, engagement, and other University and Business School events as assigned, maintains current knowledge of online advising and academic coaching practices, and performs other duties as assigned. Management may add or change job duties at any time.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
At least two years of experience working in a higher education setting or similar organization.
Ability to interpret academic requirements and University policies and provide individualized guidance to students from diverse backgrounds.
Strong interpersonal, written, and virtual communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with students and campus partners.
Ability to use student information systems and virtual communication tools, maintain accurate records, and use data to guide outreach and follow-up.
Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage a caseload, prioritize responsibilities, and work independently and collaboratively.
Ability to work periodic evening and weekend hours to support students and program activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting online, adult, transfer, or returning college students.
Experience with academic coaching, proactive outreach, and retention initiatives; understanding of student development theory.
Familiarity with business curricula, online learning platforms, Banner, Degree Works, Navigate, and Workday Student.

Responsibilities

Provide academic advising on course selection, registration, degree requirements, prerequisites, and graduation planning for an assigned online student caseload.
Develop and update academic plans reflecting students’ degree progress, goals, and responsibilities, and communicate changes in curriculum and academic policies.
Support incoming and transfer students through onboarding and initial registration; explain how evaluated transfer credits apply and coordinate questions with appropriate offices.
Conduct outreach at key points in the term, including registration deadlines, and follow up with nonregistered students and students considering stopping out.
Monitor academic progress, respond to faculty referrals and academic alerts, and help students on probation or with conditional admission requirements develop improvement plans.
Advocate for online students navigating University services and coordinate with Admissions, Red Hawk Central, the Registrar, and other offices to resolve barriers to academic progress.
Refer students to tutoring, accessibility services, counseling, career development, and other resources, and follow up when unresolved concerns affect continued enrollment.
Deliver virtual advising and communications, help students navigate online learning resources, and refer technical issues to appropriate support staff.
Maintain accurate advising notes, outreach records, and follow-up plans in Banner, Degree Works, Navigate, Workday Student, and other approved systems; protect student information.
Participate in SBUS Career Fairs, Open Houses, on-campus recruitment, New Student Orientations, Transfer Orientations, Accepted Students Days, Campus to Career Transitions events, Commencements, and other events as requested.
Assist in developing virtual orientation activities, workshops, and accessible advising resources tailored to online students.
Collaborate with Unbound staff, faculty, and academic support colleagues to coordinate services and improve online student support.
Assist in analyzing caseload progress, registration, and engagement with support services; help prepare reports and recommend improvements based on student needs and outcomes.
Participate in recruitment, orientation, and engagement activities relevant to online programs, as well as Business School meetings, committees, and other events as assigned.
Maintain current knowledge of online advising and academic coaching practices.
Perform other duties as assigned.