Academic advisor

Full job description

Academic Advisor - CPAE

Posting Category: E

About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at

Application deadline: 6/30/2024

Annual Starting Salary: 48,000

Summary:
Under direction of Senior Academic Advisor, the Academic Advisor position serves as the primary academic advisor for assigned case load of on-ground advisees, including non-degree seeking students. This position is also responsible for assisting in the promotion of assigned programs, student recruitment, student retention, and guiding students through the graduation process.



Duties & Responsibilities:

• Student Retention and Outreach: Develop and implement student outreach and retention support programming to promote student engagement, retention, and progress towards degree. Participate in retention activities, including activities that require evening/weekend work hours including, but not limited to, coordination and implementation of living-learning community events, residential summer programming, and other events and programs designed to foster student retention.

• Student Advising: Work with assigned students to choose specific courses to meet degree requirements and develop detailed degree/educational plans consistent with educational, career, and life goals. Meet with and help undergraduate students (or other assigned students) select specific courses each semester. Assist students in accessing academic support services, understanding policies relevant to matriculation and degree completion, and connect students with faculty mentors and other key support staff in major departments.

• Student Onboarding: Meet with and onboard incoming assigned case load of students. Ensure a smooth transition for students through the college experience, either as transfer students or from first-year advising to major advising. Maintain working relationships with undergraduate students (or other assigned student population) throughout their program(s) to help with student retention. Participate in orientation activities.

• Tracking & Analysis: Collect, review, and utilize available data in order to contribute to a consistent understanding of student needs.

• Conflict Resolution: Help resolve escalated issues or conflicts in collaboration with Associate Advisors. Implement best practices and innovative solutions to enhance service efficiency and effectiveness and allocate and monitor the usage of advising resources.

• Recruitment: Respond to assigned case load of advisees inquiries, participate in recruitment events, and help develop promotional materials relating to advising, living-learning communities, and other retention-based programs. Identify, attend, and participate in recruiting events, such as Preview Day and College Fairs, to promote assigned programs (may require some evening/weekend hours and travel).

• Administrative: Participate in meetings and on committees as requested. Maintain open communication with all other UIS offices.

• Other Duties as Assigned: Assist with non-reoccurring activities related to student recruitment, advising, and retention, and provide advising support for other student populations as assigned at the discretion of the supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university is required.


Previous professional experiences should include:
Entry-level experience working in a collaborative, team-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications:
1-2 years of professional experience in an educational setting

Employment Policies and other information:

UIS is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive campus community. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.

UIS employees are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with the most recent COVID-19 vaccination available as a barrier to serious illness.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current or former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.

UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.

• You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.
• Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:

• Social Security benefit and

• Social Security benefit as a spouse

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at or call .