AFT , Career & Academic Advisor, Running

About The College

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 7,604 students annually on its 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington. Whatcom offers transfer degrees, applied baccalaureate degrees, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, and community and continuing education classes. Programs and courses are offered through in-person, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population.

The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For more information about WCC, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..edu

About Our Community

Whatcom's campus is located in Bellingham (population 95,960). Bellingham showcases a strong commitment to education and is regularly rated on "best of the Northwest" lists. Bellingham is midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. Canada. The city is surrounded by the rural landscape of Whatcom County (population 226,850), which is home to a thriving network of farms and scenic wilderness. As you explore our community, you'll discover historic neighborhoods, waterfront cities, farmlands and mountain towns all within a few dozen miles of each other.

Bellingham and Whatcom County are known for their outdoor activities. Whether your idea of fun is visiting galleries, watching live theater, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, or unwinding with a good book, you'll love Bellingham and Whatcom County. To learn more about Bellingham, please visit: http://.org

Position Title:

Advisor, Running Start

Classification: AFT Staff

FTE: 1.0 FTE. Position may also be cyclic (less than 12 calendar months, with designated work period e.g. August to June or September to July, etc.) via applicable job posting.

Schedule:

40 hours/week, Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required and scheduled in advance.

FLSA Status:
Overtime Eligible

The Advisor for Running Start supports high school students participating in Washington State's dual enrollment program, which allows them to earn college credit tuition-free while completing high school requirements. This role focuses on helping students successfully transition into college-level learning by providing holistic, student-centered academic and career advising. The advisor assists students in developing educational plans, selecting appropriate coursework, and building foundational skills such as self-advocacy, time management, and effective use of campus resources.

The position also supports student success and retention by helping students identify and address barriers to achievement and connecting them with relevant academic support services and campus resources. In addition, the advisor helps students explore academic and career pathways, make informed decisions about their educational goals, and navigate their dual enrollment experience in a way that supports both high school completion and long-term postsecondary and career success.

• This position reports to the Associate Director for Running Start.

• Manages group and individual career and academic advising sessions, student engagement opportunities, and high-impact practices in person, online, and via phone, including occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Assists students with academic planning, career exploration, and transfer pathway development, while identifying barriers to success and connecting students with appropriate academic, financial, and social support services.
• Supports and coordinates Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) intervention strategies for students identified as at risk of not meeting academic standards.
• Develops and implements outreach, onboarding, and first-year experience initiatives to support student transition and engagement in the Running Start program.
• Plans and facilitates advising workshops, orientation sessions, and informational meetings for students, families, and partner institutions.
• Fosters and maintains relationships with high schools, parents, and community partners to promote awareness and participation in Running Start.
• Supports process improvement efforts related to advising practices, student communication, and service delivery to enhance the student experience.
• Represents the college at professional events and serves on committees as assigned to support institutional goals and student success initiatives.
• Provides advising and customer service support within Orca Central, ensuring students receive timely and accurate assistance with enrollment and student services.
• Contributes to ongoing improvements in Guided Pathways, advising systems, and student engagement strategies to strengthen retention and…