Academic Advisor, UGIS American Studies

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice.

Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic, and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities.

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L&S Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies Academic Programs (UGIS) is a center for innovation in undergraduate education that extends beyond traditional departmental boundaries and brings together 28 teaching faculty and senate faculty from across campus and 68 academic student employees to teach in the department's degree programs. Together, these degree programs attract undergraduates who wish to explore intellectually engaging and promising interdisciplinary areas of study.

The 3 UGIS majors include American Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies Field major (ISF), and Media Studies, which number more than 875 declared majors in total. The 5 UGIS minors include American Studies, Applied Language Studies, Creative Writing, Disability Studies, and Politics, Philosophy, and Law. Academic advising is provided by a team of 4 Student Academic Advisors.

The Academic Advisor serves on the UGIS Academic Programs Advising Team, primarily supporting the American Studies major and minor, their teaching faculty, and the Politics, Philosophy, and Law Studies Minor. This position provides advice and assistance to students on all aspects of their academic experience, including progression and departmental requirements. The Academic Advisor guides students on declaring the major and minor, completing program requirements, and planning alternative major pathways.

Additionally, the Academic Advisor provides leadership coordination for large-scale events such as the annual AS faculty research symposium, student thesis showcase, UGIS student welcome, and Commencement, while managing a significant proportion of curriculum planning, scheduling, and enrollment across UGIS programs.

The First Review Date for this job is July 22, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

• Provide academic advising to students across all stages of the UGIS majors and minors lifecycle, usually American Studies and Politics, Phil. & Law Minor, including declaration, degree progress, completion of course, and written thesis requirements, and alternative pathways as needed.
• Help students define realistic academic goals and understand how to achieve them within a particular interdisciplinary major program.
• Drawing from an understanding of course content and area of interdisciplinary inquiry, help students devise their academic focus within the UGIS programs and prepare them to present their program of study for faculty advisor review.
• Update and maintain student records in the Academic Progress Report (APR) and American Studies program database; certify completion of degree requirements and honors designation, even when there are no clear precedents or articulations, such as for interdisciplinary programs.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of University and College policies.
• Stay informed of relevant course offerings across the College and campus, and maintain connections with student services staff across the campus.
• Identify students with GPA or progress problems and determine barriers, distractions, and complications affecting the student; help students recognize any key academic or non‑academic issues, and make appropriate referrals for additional academic or therapeutic counseling and/or assistance from other units.
• Regularly meet with and advise new and continuing teaching and senate faculty, as well as the UGIS Manager, on departmental/school/college and university policies and procedures.
• Receive, approve, and/or implement relevant…