Academic Advisor

Department: Costello College of Business

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

The Academic Advisor engages students in interpreting and applying George Mason University and the Costello College of Business programs and services, requirements, policies and procedures. Evaluates students' academic progress, provides guidance in determining students' academic interests and objectives and aids them to develop long-range academic and career plans. Provides academic advising for a large population of undergraduate business students. Develops quality programs to identify and support students' academic problems and career choice difficulties.

Plans innovative and high-quality programs and events to enhance students' academic development and interests and to prepare students to meet today's job market demands.

• Provides academic advising during the day and limited evening in individual consultations, group events or presentations, and tabling, for current and aspiring business students on such topics as major or minor choice, curriculum selection, study skills, scholarship and club opportunities, and other academic‑related areas;
• Plans and implements academic‑related events and performs outreach to business students for retention efforts;
• Develops programs and workshops on academic planning, orientation, and academic status for academic development;
• Develops, disseminates and maintains resources to assist students with academic planning and development of academic/career/professional knowledge and skills;
• Coordinates complex activities to support student academic planning;
• Understands and implements proper use of rules and procedures concerning confidentiality;
• Provides accurate interpretations of policies and procedures for students, families, and faculty;
• Assists with the processing of graduation audits, notifying students of discrepancies and following up with them on options.

• Develops and manages student services program operations, establishes goals, develops and implements methods to evaluate and assess program effectiveness, and modifies policies and procedures to enhance the overall efficiency of the office;
• Represents the Costello College of Business as a liaison to academic areas and as asked on various committees across the university to support Costello initiatives;
• Supports the supervising Director with the creation and implementation of designated services for the Costello undergraduate populations;
• Provides feedback for updates to Costello College of Business online materials to reflect changes in policies and programs.

• Maintains accurate and timely student records in Patriot Connect, including advising notes, tags, email communications, and appointment availability;
• Utilizes Patriot Connect database to create and/or participate in campaigns for targeted outreach to select students;
• Utilizes Banner INB student information system to review student transcripts, records, course registration history, and entering course overrides;
• Manages program‑specific inboxes, listservs, and learning management system organizations.

• Creates and manages special events and projects as assigned by leadership in the Office of Student Success and Academic Services;
• Actively participates in a minimum of two professional development experiences each year to stay current with best practices and enhance effectiveness in the role;
• Executes special projects and duties assigned to support the department.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Generally, 1–2 years of professional, internship, or student‑leadership experience involving direct customer service, client relations, or student‑facing interaction;
• Experience…