Academic Advising Specialist

The Academic Advising Specialist provides comprehensive academic advising, student success coaching, and retention support at the University of Minnesota Morris. Working within UMN Morris’ faculty-led advising model, this position serves as an advising resource for the campus, partnering with faculty advisors and the Lead Faculty Advisor to strengthen student persistence, coordinating the academic recovery program, and helping students with timely degree completion.

The advising specialist collaborates closely with the Office of the Registrar on degree progress monitoring and graduation planning while providing essential support to faculty advisors through training, resource development, and consultation.

• Provide holistic academic advising across campus with flexible assignment based on institutional needs, serving as primary advisor for Academic Recovery students, Degree-in-Three participants, recently readmitted students, and those with academic standing concerns
• Offer drop-in advising for students, especially during critical periods (registration, withdrawal, etc.)
• Assist with complex advising cases requiring professional expertise
• Guide students in course selection, degree planning, major exploration, and academic policy navigation
• Document interactions and maintain accurate records in university systems
• Participate in retention initiatives, orientation, and relevant events (Grad Fest, registration, etc.)
• Engage in professional development

• Collaborate with the Lead Faculty Advisor to design and facilitate training on advising best practices, policies, assessment, and student success strategies
• Develop and maintain advising resources including policy guides, sample plans, degree templates, and checklists
• Serve as consultant for faculty navigating complex advising situations
• Communicate policy updates to faculty advisors and partner with division chairs to identify challenges and develop solutions

• Coordinate UMM's Academic Recovery program for students on academic warning, probation, or returning from suspension
• Collaborate with the Scholastic Committee on enrollment plans for students returning from academic warning and participate in appeal reviews
• Develop individualized success plans connecting students with appropriate campus resources
• Monitor early alert systems and conduct proactive outreach to at-risk students, particularly in gateway courses
• Contact students who fail to register to identify and address persistence barriers

• Help conduct degree progress reviews
• Identify and resolve degree completion barriers including incomplete requirements, transfer credit issues, and prerequisite gaps
• Process graduation petitions, course substitutions, and requirement waivers
• Conduct graduation checks and maintain documentation in student records systems

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

• BA/BS degree plus at least four years of relevant experience, or master s degree plus at least two years of relevant experience
• Ability to interpret academic policies, degree requirements, and student records systems
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with diverse student populations
• Experience using data systems to inform advising and identify at-risk students
• Collaborative skills to build partnerships with faculty and staff
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

$52,400 - $54,500; depending on education/qualifications/experience

100% Appointment

Faculty and P&A Staff

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required application materials: resume and cover letter.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris) makes its home on a…