Student Success Advisor

Job Summary

The Student Success Advisor (SSA) is the primary student success professional supporting undergraduate students at Hawai?i Pacific University through proactive, holistic advising and support. This position provides wraparound guidance to students at various points in their academic career in order to promote retention, persistence, and degree completion.

The SSA combines developmental advising with robust academic planning and individualized success strategies for students. The advisors provide advising support infrastructure for the institution's first‑year student advising and college‑based faculty mentors.

Student Success Advisors work in one of two distinct but collaborative tracks:

Advisors in this track focus on supporting first‑year students as they transition into university life. They provide proactive academic advising, help students develop personalized academic plans, and facilitate engagement through success seminars, workshops, and campus resource connections. FYSE Advisors report to the Director of the First‑Year Student Experience and collaborate with academic departments and various campus offices to ensure a strong foundation for long‑term student success.

Advisors in this track support undergraduate students as they progress into their academic majors and specialized programs. They guide students through advanced course planning, degree progression, and career alignment, while coordinating with Faculty Mentors and college leadership to ensure effective academic transitions. These Advisors play a key role in the Second‑Year Handoff, providing continuity and serving as the primary liaison between first‑year student supports and the academic departments.

Collectively, all Student Success Advisors assist students in navigating academic, personal, and professional challenges, referring them to appropriate offices (e.g., Accessibility, Counseling and Behavioral Health, Tutoring) when needed.

This position utilizes rigorous case management for students in collaboration with other office staff, tracking progress toward students’ educational goals using EAB Navigate and other university systems. In addition, Student Success Advisors serve as a resource for degree requirements, course selection, registration, and other university procedures.

Advisors also contribute to the development and refinement of program and university materials (e.g., toolkits, trainings, and guides) for staff development, student workshops, and faculty/staff training.

Location: On‑site at Waterfront Plaza (500 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813)

• Bachelor’s Degree in any field from an appropriately accredited university.
• Three years’ experience working within an academic support services, counseling, training, customer service, or related field.
• One year of professional work experience as an academic advisor, counselor, or related role.

• Master’s Degree with a specialization in student services, counseling, education, or related field.
• Three years of professional work experience providing academic advising, coaching or counseling in a post‑secondary setting.
• Previous experience working with a student information system (e.g., Ellucian Banner and Degree Works).
• Knowledge of or experience with academic support strategies for various populations of students, including students from under‑resourced and under‑represented communities.

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship and relocation allowance is not available for this position.
• Knowledge of best practices in academic coaching, advising, retention, and student success.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and develop productive and collegial relationships, collaboration, and communication with university constituencies (i.e. staff, faculty, students, etc.) and build effective teams as needed.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively,…