Professional Academic Advisor

Job Summary

The College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS) at CU Boulder is seeking a Professional Academic Advisor. The Student Support & Advising Services (SSAS) unit is committed to building collaborative, student-centered relationships that support achievement of academic success, promote personal and professional development, and foster a sense of community. CEAS academic advisors educate the whole student through a developmental, student-focused approach.

Advisors are charged with developing and implementing advising strategies and interventions to enhance the performance and persistence of students, while contributing to the development of student learning outcomes and assessments.

• Advises students regarding academic requirements, course sequencing, and graduation plans, staying current on changing curricula, departmental, college, and university rules and policies.
• Provides resources and is knowledgeable of current advising standards and protocols.
• Offers a student-focused developmental approach to advising, understanding how career goals and opportunities impact academic decisions.
• Develops trusting, supportive relationships with individual students.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for academic questions or concerns.
• Works with students individually from onboarding through graduation via in-person, individual appointments, group meetings, drop-in hours, videoconferencing, telephone, and e‑mail to:
  • Personalize the academic path at CU Boulder.
  • Review students’ academic records and discuss appropriate course choices.
  • Offer co‑curricular guidance complementing academic paths and goals.
  • Lead students in intentional goal‑setting appropriate to their developmental stage.
• Provides comprehensive advising support focusing on exploration, discovery, goal‑setting, and supportive connection with first‑year students; proactively develops knowledge of standard methodologies related to first‑year student transition and advising.
• Participates in first‑year and graduation programming, both college‑based and campus‑wide, collaborating with faculty and other academic advisors in CEAS.
• Proactively tracks, contacts, and works with special student populations (e.g., early alert, first‑generation, students who have not been in for an appointment, students in academic difficulty, working students).
• Adopts college and university protocols to maintain accurate records of student interactions, paperwork, and progress toward the degree, including evaluation of transfer and study‑abroad credit, updating degree audits, and facilitating graduation confirmation.
• Collaborates with faculty, department chairs, and undergraduate committees in the assigned academic unit.
• Serves as a backup to other undergraduate advisors in the college, as needed.
• Assists in training new professional academic advisors, as assigned.
• Undertakes other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.
• Participates in professional development activities and serves on unit, college, or campus committees or other projects, as applicable.
• Stays apprised of relevant University and State of Colorado policies and procedures.

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work modality in alignment with the College of Engineering and Applied Science's Hybrid Work Policy.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• One year of professional academic advising experience or related experience at an institution of higher education; a master’s degree in higher education, counseling, STEM, or a related field may substitute for the year of experience.

• Ability to communicate effectively cross‑culturally, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and within a collaborative work environment.
• Exceptional organizational, planning, analytical, and technical skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects, and thrive in a fast‑paced environment.
• Student‑centered work…