Director of Academic Advising

Ivy Tech Community College•South Bend, IN

1d•$59,500 - $62,500

About The Position

The Director of Academic Advising provides strategic leadership for advising efforts across the campus in collaboration with academic departments, faculty advisors, Academic Affairs, and student support units. This position oversees the management and operations of the centralized academic advising area and serves as a key advocate for advising strategies that advance student success, retention, and persistence. The Director fosters cross-campus communication and collaboration, leads assessment efforts, and ensures the delivery of high-quality, developmentally informed and transformational advising.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required and Master’s degree preferred in college student personnel, higher education, counseling psychology, or related discipline.
Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in academic advising or student success services.
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
Knowledge of developmental advising theory and student success best practices.
Experience with assessment, data reporting, and student information systems.
Experience leading retention initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred in college student personnel, higher education, counseling psychology, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

Provide vision, leadership, and oversight for the academic advising center, including intervention programs, advisor training, student tracking and monitoring, and assessment initiatives.
Lead and support early registration initiatives by coordinating cross-functional planning, implementing proactive outreach and advising campaigns, and using data to increase timely enrollment, improve course access, and strengthen student persistence and progression toward degree completion.
Monitor and utilize Ivy Connect dashboards to track advisor caseloads, student engagement, and progress toward milestones.
Leverage data to optimize advising strategies, ensure timely interventions, and enhance overall student success.
Foster cross-campus communication and collaboration related to academic advising.
Advocate for innovative advising strategies aligned with institutional student success goals.
Manage the academic advising center budget and allocate personnel and fiscal resources effectively.
Conduct annual performance evaluations of advising personnel.
Develop and oversee standardized regional data reporting and assessment strategies to evaluate advising practices and programs.
Coordinate with Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to ensure accuracy of advising materials distributed to students, faculty, and staff.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to student development and success through advocacy, adaptability, problem-solving, and inclusive engagement.
Provide developmental academic advising grounded in student development, human development, and learning theories.
Manage and respond to student escalations by assessing concerns, coordinating with relevant departments, and implementing timely solutions to resolve issues while maintaining a positive, student-centered experience.
Assist students in interpreting placement scores, understanding program curricula and prerequisites, and navigating academic policies.
Guide students through the registration process and required pre-semester procedures.
Support students in developing individualized academic completion plans.
Manage an advising caseload that promotes retention, persistence, and proactive intervention.
Oversee the administration and continuous improvement of the early alert system
Monitor student progress through regular meetings, communications, assessments, and data-informed interventions.
Maintain advising records in compliance with institutional policies and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Maintain working knowledge of academic programs, curriculum changes, policies, and student financial assistance programs.
Oversee development and delivery of training programs for professional advisors, faculty advisors, and peer advisors.
Develop and implement a communication plan to engage the college community in the advising process.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
Engage in behaviors that foster an inclusive environment where all individuals are valued and respected.
Participate actively in professional development opportunities, professional organizations, and institutional committees.

Benefits

Health & Wellness Multiple medical plan options paired with a Health Savings Account with a generous employer contribution
Dental plan with no-cost preventive services and coverage for orthodontia
Vision plan with low-cost exams and allowances for glasses or contact lenses
Employee Assistance Program offering no-cost confidential counseling sessions, legal consultations, financial planning consultations, and other resources
Wellness program with opportunities to earn $250 in Wellness Rewards Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare (limited purpose) and dependent care
Retirement & Financial Security 10% employer retirement contribution, fully vested after two years
Basic life insurance equal to annual salary paid by the College, with optional supplemental coverage
Short-term and long-term disability benefits
Educational Benefits Fee remission for employees, spouses, and dependent children
Tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs
Paid professional development opportunities
Work‑Life Balance Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, holidays, and winter recess
Flexible work arrangements where available
Paid childbirth recovery leave (8 weeks)
Paid parental leave (4 weeks)
Additional Perks Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Additional discounts on gym memberships, transportation, and various retail services