Advisor & Special Programs Manager

Dominican University•River Forest, IL

6h•$55,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Advisor & Special Programs Manager, in the Office of the Provost, coordinates a diverse portfolio of non-traditional programs, including the Online Associate of Arts program, the Bachelor of Professional Studies program, and customized credit and noncredit training programs. The position also leads academic advising and program transition efforts for adult learners, non-traditional students, and special populations. It combines program coordination with student advising to support efficient operations, effective communication, student persistence, program navigation, and progression from entry through completion, with an emphasis on removing barriers and supporting college and work readiness. The role provides operational and administrative support for special programs, coordinates Dominican University’s Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter, supports off-site and partner-based programming, and helps align pathways among academic programs. It collaborates with university staff and external partners, contributes to advising and student success resources, and supports retention, completion, and transition improvements. The position provides holistic academic advising, monitors student progress, conducts degree audits, maintains advising records, and connects students with institutional resources. The primary work location is on campus, with occasional work at partner locations, training sites, or program events. Occasional evening or weekend hours are required to support adult learners and related activities. The position is full-time, scheduled for 37.5 hours per week, with a salary of $55,000–$60,000. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Experience in academic advising, student services, program coordination, and/or a related higher education or workforce environment.
Knowledge of adult learner needs and/or nontraditional academic programming.
Strong project management skills.
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple student populations and priorities simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience working with non-traditional/adult learners and/or workforce development programs.
Familiarity with degree audit systems, student information systems, and advising technologies.
Experience building partnerships with external organizations, such as employers and community agencies.

Responsibilities

Provide coordination and administrative support for university special programs.
Coordinate Dominican University’s Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter, including chapter operations, event planning, induction ceremonies, and student engagement initiatives.
Support delivery logistics for off-site or partner-based programming.
Support pathway alignment between Adult AA, BPS, and other academic programs.
Collaborate with program coordinators, the registrar, recruitment, admissions, and partner high schools to support student success.
Work with the supervisor and appropriate university staff to review and build semester schedules.
Contribute to the development of advising materials, pathway maps, and student success resources.
Support continuous improvement initiatives related to student retention, completion, and transition outcomes.
Build and maintain relationships with external partners, including local community colleges and organizations, employers, and workforce agencies.
Occasionally represent the university at events, college fairs, community events, employer sites, and partner locations serving adult and non-traditional learners.
Provide holistic academic advising to adult learners and special populations in non-traditional credit and noncredit programs, including degree planning, course selection, and progression mapping.
Provide front-line support and serve as a consistent point of contact for assigned student populations.
Conduct degree audits and monitor student progress toward completion.
Help students understand program requirements, institutional policies, and academic expectations.
Conduct regular check-ins and advising meetings to support academic success and persistence.
Identify and address barriers to student success, particularly for adult, first-generation, and non-traditional learners, and connect students with appropriate institutional resources.
Promote retention and completion through proactive outreach and intervention strategies.
Support students in understanding college expectations, course rigor, and degree pathways.
Maintain a routine presence at partner off-site locations to provide student services and ensure alignment with institutional standards.
Maintain accurate advising records and student data in institutional systems.
Ensure a high level of customer service and responsiveness across program areas.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.