Academic Advisor

Dakota State University • Madison, SD

11h • Onsite

About The Position

Dakota State University is seeking a motivated, student-centered, and highly engaged Professional Academic Advisor to join its Academic Advising team. This 12-month, on-campus, benefit-eligible position supports student success, persistence, and timely degree completion. Advisors serve as mentors, student advocates, and campus resources, helping students navigate higher education, make informed decisions, address academic and personal challenges, and develop a sense of belonging in the university community.

The advisor manages an assigned student caseload, teaches GS 100 First-Year Experience courses, and coordinates with students, faculty, staff, and campus and community resources. The position also contributes to early-alert interventions, student success initiatives, and university events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• At least one year of experience in academic advising, student success, higher education, or a related field.
• Knowledge of academic advising practices and strategies that promote student success, retention, and degree completion.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in complex student situations.
• Ability to manage a student caseload, balance competing priorities, and maintain accurate documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds and educational needs.
• Ability to identify student needs, provide proactive outreach, and coordinate appropriate interventions.
• Ability to handle confidential student information with professionalism and discretion.
• Proficiency with technology and ability to learn and use student information and student success systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, staff, and campus partners.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.; sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, education, or a related field.
• Experience advising undergraduate students, particularly first-year students or students experiencing academic difficulties.
• Experience with student information and success platforms such as Banner and EAB Navigate360.
• Experience with early-alert programs, academic interventions, or student success case management.
• Experience teaching first-year seminar courses or delivering student success workshops.

Responsibilities

• Advise an assigned caseload of students on degree planning, registration, academic success, and graduation requirements.
• Teach GS 100 First-Year Experience courses and support students’ transition to college.
• Identify barriers to student success and connect students with appropriate campus and community resources.
• Communicate regularly with students through appointments, email, phone, and text outreach.
• Document student interactions, progress, and referrals in university systems.
• Participate in the Early Alert program by addressing academic concerns and coordinating interventions.
• Interpret and communicate university and South Dakota Board of Regents policies, procedures, and academic requirements.
• Partner with the Academic ReFocus Advisor to support students on probation, returning from suspension, or readmitted to the university.
• Participate in professional development, training, and departmental meetings.
• Collaborate with faculty and campus partners to advance student success, retention, and graduation initiatives.
• Represent the Academic Advising Office at orientations, recruitment events, and other university activities.

Benefits

• Flexible benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, hospital indemnity insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, and health reimbursement account.
• South Dakota Retirement System; employees receive 6% fully matched contributions and are vested after three years of service.
• Paid time off: full-time 12-month employees earn 15 days of annual leave and 14 days of sick leave per year.
• 11 federal paid holidays.
• Reduced tuition for education.
• Professional liability coverage.
• Paid family leave.

What This Job Offers

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