Cane Navigator (Academic Advisor) - Arts & Sciences

University of Miami•Coral Gables, FL

About The Position

The Cane Navigator (Academic Advisor) supports undergraduate student success through proactive, holistic academic advising that promotes student learning, persistence, progression, and timely graduation. The advisor builds sustained advising relationships with assigned students beginning before their first term and continuing throughout their undergraduate experience, helping them understand academic requirements, institutional policies, and degree pathways and make informed academic decisions. The role develops and updates individualized academic plans and degree records, monitors students’ progress and engagement, and helps resolve academic issues in accordance with institutional policy. It also supports students in exploring academic, professional, and personal goals and integrating curricular, co-curricular, and experiential learning opportunities into their plans. The advisor identifies barriers to success, coordinates referrals to campus partners, and collaborates with academic and non-academic units while observing FERPA requirements and professional boundaries. The position uses advising technologies, data dashboards, and student success platforms to document interactions, track engagement, and support proactive outreach. The Cane Navigator contributes to advising benchmarks and assessment measures, participates in ongoing training and professional development, completes career-related training such as Career Champion, and incorporates career development conversations into advising. The role reports to an Associate or Assistant Director of Cane Navigation and performs other duties as assigned in support of student success and advising operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of 1 year of experience in advising, counseling, and/or customer service is preferred; relevant education, certifications, and/or work experience may be considered.
Knowledge of academic advising as a teaching and learning practice supporting student development, decision-making, persistence, and timely degree completion.
Understanding of undergraduate curricula, degree requirements, general education, and institutional academic policies and procedures.
Knowledge of student development theory, advising approaches, and effective academic advising strategies.
Familiarity with institutional resources, services, and campus partners that support student success and holistic well-being.
Understanding of legal and ethical guidelines relevant to academic advising, including FERPA and professional boundaries.
Awareness of the diverse identities, experiences, and needs of undergraduate student populations.
Ability to build and sustain intentional advising relationships grounded in trust, care, and professionalism.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to engage students in reflective, goal-oriented conversations.
Ability to guide students in interpreting academic requirements, policies, and degree pathways.
Ability to handle challenging or sensitive situations with composure, sound judgment, and empathy.
Commitment to student success, learning, and equitable educational outcomes.
Demonstrated care, empathy, and respect for students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Collaborative mindset and willingness to partner with faculty and campus colleagues.
Openness to feedback, continuous learning, and professional growth.
Attention to detail, accountability, and consistency in advising practice.
Adaptability and resilience when navigating change, ambiguity, or complex student situations.
Commitment to institutional values, policies, and professional standards.
Applicants should include a resume or CV and a cover letter addressing their interest, knowledge, skills, and attitudes aligned with the position, and incorporating their academic advising philosophy.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide proactive, developmental academic advising grounded in advising best practices and theory.
Build sustained advising relationships with assigned undergraduate students, beginning before their first term and continuing throughout their undergraduate experience.
Help students clarify academic, professional, and personal goals and connect them to curricular, co-curricular, and experiential learning opportunities.
Educate students about high-impact practices, including study abroad, undergraduate research, and internships, and help integrate these experiences into academic plans.
Guide students in understanding majors, minors, general education, degree progression, academic policies, and procedures.
Develop, monitor, and update individualized academic plans and degree records; assess student progress and engagement to support timely graduation.
Investigate and resolve registration errors, prerequisite checks, course substitutions, and permission requests in accordance with institutional policy.
Maintain current knowledge of the academic bulletin, academic calendar, institutional resources, and programs.
Identify barriers to student success and coordinate referrals to appropriate campus partners, following up as needed.
Collaborate with academic and non-academic units, including the Counseling Center, Housing and Residential Life, International Student and Scholar Services, and Veteran Resource Center.
Interact with families, faculty, and campus partners in accordance with FERPA and institutional guidelines while maintaining professional boundaries.
Use advising technologies, data dashboards, and student success platforms such as EAB Navigate to document interactions, track engagement, and inform proactive outreach.
Meet established advising benchmarks, assessment measures, and service expectations.
Participate in ongoing training, assessment, and professional development.
Complete career-related training, such as Career Champion, and integrate career development conversations into advising.
Adhere to University and unit-level policies, exercise sound professional judgment, and perform other duties as assigned.