Academic Advisor

Location

Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

Staff and Management

Office of Registrarial Services

2720

Academic Advising

This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

Temporary full-time from 07/20/2026 to 07/31/2027

Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent

Career Opportunities ()

Academic Advisors motivate, encourage, and empower students to take ownership of their academic journey. Academic Advisors are knowledgeable, approachable, and available staff members who play a key role in supporting student success. They are skilled in working with diverse student populations and foster a safe, welcoming environment where students feel comfortable discussing their goals, challenges, and concerns. Academic Advisors are generalists with deeper knowledge in specific degree programs.

Advisors work as part of an advising team.

This posting is for 1 temporary Academic Advisor position, with successful candidate joining the Mac Kinnon Academic Advising Office, supporting students programs tied to Arts and Applied Science.

Academic Advising (90%)

Provide academic advising and support to undergraduate students to promote academic success, timely progression, and informed decision-making.

• Advise students on degree requirements, program options, course selection, and graduation eligibility
• Meet with students individually (in person, virtually, or by email/phone) to provide academic guidance and interpret university policies and regulations
• Support students with course load planning, program changes, academic difficulties, and progression concerns
• Review and approve academic requests such as course substitutions, Letters of Permission, exchanges, withdrawals, and co-op sequencing changes
• Complete graduation checks and maintain accurate, confidential advising records
• Refer students to appropriate campus resources and services as needed
• Contribute to advising initiatives, committees, professional development, and continuous improvement activities
• Provide occasional operational or front-desk support as required
• Recognize and appropriately respond to students exhibiting signs of distress or mental health challenges, providing support within the scope of the advising role and referring to campus resources as appropriate.
• Deliver difficult or distressing academic information (e.g., academic standing, progression concerns) with empathy, professionalism, and clarity.

Recruitment, Retention, and Student Success Initiatives (10%)

• Participate in new student orientation and transition programming
• Represent academic advising at university recruitment events (e.g., Open Houses, Future Gryphon Days, virtual events)
• Contribute to the development and implementation of student success and retention initiatives

• Undergraduate Degree with experience in Mental Health first aid (or similar training)
• Active listening, counselling techniques and/or conflict mediation would be an asset.
• 2-3 years experience providing advising or counselling to students
• Experience using Student Information System (ie Colleague/ Web advisor), electronic filing system (Image Now), email and web browsers
• Exceptional interpersonal skills

Employee Type:
Temporary covering regular incumbent

Position Number:

Classification: P&M FT
- Band 04

Professional/Managerial Salary Bands

The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

• Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 07/23/2026

Closing Date: 07/31/2026