Graduate Academic Advisor

Job Description

Graduate Academic Advisor | Aurora University (AU)

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Aurora University, located in the Chicagoland area, with an onsite or hybrid work requirement. Aurora University provides transformative learning opportunities, focusing on student success, equity, and community impact, especially in critical workforce areas within Illinois. This role is essential for empowering graduate students to achieve academic success, professional development, and personal goals, directly contributing to their retention and the university’s mission. The advisor fosters responsibility and accountability, ensuring students have the resources needed for their journey.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Aurora, IL (In-person)
• Pay: $50000–$55000 yearly
• Mission: Empower graduate students to achieve lasting personal and professional success through comprehensive advising and resource provision, ensuring their academic progress and retention.
• Tech Stack: Self-Service, Student Planning, Colleague

What You’ll Actually Do
• Guide Students: Conduct individual and small group advising sessions, deliver presentations during new student orientation, and advise students on course selection, academic policies, and the online registration process.
• Ensure Academic Progress: Possess a strong understanding of university requirements and policies, review academic transcripts and student files, and proactively communicate relevant information to students to support their academic success.
• Foster Professional and Personal Growth: Assist students in confirming their degree and program selection, facilitate vocational discernment by exploring their strengths and interests, and intentionally focus on enhancing their professionalism.
• Support Student Well-being: Listen to, advocate on behalf of, and build positive working relationships with students, strategically mentor at-risk students, and encourage the utilization of appropriate university resources.
• Build University Partnerships: Establish and maintain relationships with assigned department chairs to stay current on degree programs, and collaborate with Academic Affairs and other university departments (e.g., registrar, financial aid) to support student retention and academic progress.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Bachelor’s degree is required for this role, focused on supporting student success and retention within a higher education environment.
• Experience: A minimum of two years of work experience within higher education, with academic advising experience in higher education preferred.
• Skills: Strong communication skills, detail orientation, and the ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents. Proficiency with student data and communication systems, specifically Self-Service, Student Planning, and Colleague, is essential. Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours is also required.
• Bonus: Master’s degree in a relevant field.