Lead Advisor; Academic Advisor

Job Summary

The Lead Advisor serves as the arm of Student Affairs in Medical Student Education on the Bloomington regional campus. The Lead Advisor is the first point of contact for students, provides academic counseling, advocates for students in their cohort, and does not assess student learning in a formal capacity.

• First point of contact for students and triage student concerns to appropriate referrals (Regional Dean, Mental Health Specialists, Learning Specialists, Tutors, ADAA).
• Arrange individual meetings at least three times a year with all cohort students to provide academic support, assist with professional development and career mentoring, assess personal wellness, and enhance connection to IUSM.
• Formally track students’ progress toward graduation.
• Work with ADAA to identify at‑risk students and implement remediation plans; collaborate with Course Directors/Campus Dean or delegate to assure remediation plans and Area of Concern interventions are completed.
• Coordinate early career mentoring and professional development by connecting students with appropriate Career Mentors and leaders on campus or within IUSM.
• Assist with production of the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) for all M4 students in the cohort.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for IUSM‑Bloomington students and faculty regarding academic progression processes and policies, including Areas of Concern, Time Away requests, and Leaves of Absence.
• Work closely with phase 1 and phase 2/3 coordinators to assist with organizing and implementing co‑curricular student wellness and promotional activities and events.
• Serve as a point of contact for IU‑Bloomington pre‑med advisors at IUSM.
• Work with the Regional Dean to create, implement, analyze, monitor, and evaluate data related to co‑curricular student services in the MD program.

• Provide academic counseling for students pursuing or considering majors, minors, or certificates.
• Guide students in planning their course of study to meet curricular requirements.
• Advise students on major/minor and potential career or graduate school direction, helping them assess interests, values, and academic skills.
• Teach students how to navigate university systems, academic processes, and policies.
• Empower student accountability in academic decisions and long‑term plans.
• Refer students to appropriate campus resources such as academic support, placement programs, internships, and overseas study opportunities.
• Track and monitor students’ academic progress and maintain confidential records.
• Communicate advising information to students and appropriate academic offices when necessary.
• Represent the advising function at campus meetings and recruiting functions.
• Develop written advising materials for student events.
• Research, recommend, or create best practices for unit or campus initiatives and provide guidance to other Academic Advisors.

Required: Master’s degree in a related field.

Required: 2 years of experience advising adult learners; experience with highly competitive or professional programs preferred.

• Previous experience in a student‑focused higher education environment.

• Proficient communication skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Team‑oriented approach to routine work and problem solving.
• Strong judgment and decision‑making skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrates time management and priority‑setting skills.
• Ability to be flexible in meeting the needs of the School and students in a high‑paced environment.
• High commitment to quality.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
• Highly thorough and dependable.
• High accuracy, even under pressure.
• Proficiently learns new technology.
• Adheres to best practices and national standards for Academic Advising.
• Understands and meets FERPA requirements.

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long‑term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU‑sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Bloomington, Indiana
$50,000 - $57,783 annually

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination which includes contact information.