Academic Advisor

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Position Title:

Academic Advisor

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Academic Advisor

Job Duties:

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Academic Advisor position is responsible for engaging students in the decision-making processes and promoting appropriate and responsible choices on academic matters such as course selection and degree requirements. The position maintains appropriate confidentiality, updates student advising records, and contributes to the development and delivery of academic advising related events and programs. The Academic Advisor works to ensure students receive accurate, timely, and holistic advising services in support of promoting student success, retention, and program completion. In addition, the position strives to create a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Receives, processes, and responds to academic inquiries according to established policies and procedures

• Support colleges and departments related to permission numbers, reentry application processing, progress reports and academic alert case management, and probation/suspension student support.
• Provide advising services for prospective and incoming students including, but not limited to, prospective student meetings, transcript evaluation, placement information, program/plan confirmation, degree progress assessment and academic plan development, and new student registration facilitation.
• Manage an assigned caseload of students and responsible for the following related functions: degree progress assessment and academic plan development; curriculum knowledge (terms offered, prerequisites, toxic course combinations, etc.); general education, university, and program-related requirements (GEUR and program exceptions); returning student registration (campaign management and registration triage), university withdrawal, add/drop, professional credentials/certifications, internship process, and transfer process.
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate student records and processes and respond to academic inquiries according to established institutional and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policies.

Serves as a main point of contact for students and provides information about educational options and academic requirements; assists with identifying and assessing interests, skills, and values to match appropriate field of study/career options and refers students to appropriate institutional resources.

• Develop a collaborative advising relationship, where each advisee feels a sense of connection, support, and guidance.
• Maintain expertise with advised curriculum and may assist in developing and recommending exceptions for policy and curriculum.
• Be familiar with the Student Handbook and university and college academic policies and procedures.
• Understand general education, university, and program-related requirements.
• Identify and assess individual factors that may aid or impede success (previous achievement, motivations, financial resources, employment, personality, health, etc.).
• Identify and assess interests, skills, and values and alignment related to career goals.
• Meet with advisees at least once per semester, more as needed.
• Facilitate registration campaigns in coordination with the college and in alignment with campus wide efforts.
• Be knowledgeable of institutional, college, and department resources to promote academic and career development and success.
• Develop and implement academic interventions as appropriate.
• Proactively engage students as needed to communicate important dates and deadlines and as part of retention initiatives.
• Assist advisees in reading and interpreting the degree audit to make informed educational decisions.
• Engage students in decision-making process that promotes appropriate and responsible choices on academic matters.
• Provide accurate, timely, and holistic advising services in support of student success, retention, and program completion.

Participate in the campus-wide advising community

• Participate in the campus-wide advising community by providing input to leadership regarding the development of advising, recruitment, and co/curricular programs offered by the college.
• Implement academic advising events such as workshops, panel discussions, academic success courses, and guest speakers.
• Support campus events focused on prospective students in collaboration with the Admissions department including, but not limited to, Falcon Preview Days and Admitted Students Day.
• Support campus focused on first year registration including New Student Orientation, Registration Days, and Nesting Day.
• Attend departmental and college faculty-staff meetings and participate in events and ceremonies.
• Engage in campus-wide retention initiatives and data collection efforts including supporting probationary students.

Leverage technology to support student advising and data

• Learn and use the associate technology that supports advising and registration including eSIS, U.Achieve, Navigate360, Slate, and BP Logix.
• Orient student advisees to educational platforms and student information systems including eSIS, U.Achieve, Navigate360, and Canvas.
• Use technology for progress report case management.

Participate in other duties as assigned

• Serve on various university-wide and system-wide committees.
• Identify and engage in professional development opportunities.
• Engage in other projects and initiatives as requested.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Implements academic advising events such as workshops, panel discussions, and guest speakers

• Participates in the campus-wide advising community providing input to leadership regarding the development of advising, recruitment, and co/curricular programs offered by the school/college

• Serves as a main point of contact for students and provides information about educational options and academic requirements; assists with identifying and assessing interests, skills, and values to match appropriate field of study/career options, and refers students to appropriate institutional resources

• Proactively engages students as needed

• Receives, processes, and responds to academic inquiries according to established policies and procedures

• Maintains expertise with advised curriculum and may assist in developing and recommending exceptions for policy and curriculum

• Maintains confidentiality and accurate student records and processes and responds to academic inquiries according to established institutional and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policies

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Qualifications (Required):

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Skilled communicator with success in developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships
• Strong organizational and time management skills

Qualifications (Preferred):

• Master’s Degree
• Two years of experience working in higher education
• Experience within educational area in which advising caseload is assigned
• Experience with integrated information systems (Peoplesoft, Navigate360, U.Achieve, Slate)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Commitment to developing an inclusive, highly collaborative work environment among faculty, staff, and students

How to Apply:

Applicants are required to apply online at Career Opportunities. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Applicants are required to provide:

• Resume
• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)

Inquiries should be addressed to: Karen Smolarek

Search Chair

[email protected]

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before September 29, 2026.

Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 7.20%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf

UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

Title IX Notice

As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at [email protected]; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see students.uwrf.edu/titleix.

Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous Universities of Wisconsin institutions and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at www.uwrf.edu/police/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy.

Reasonable Accommodations

UW-River Falls provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation in applying because of a disability, contact [email protected] or 715-425-3518.

Academic Freedom & Freedom of Expression

The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and provides all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, pursuant to Regent Policy Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.