Academic Advising Specialist

About the Job

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, coordinate the academic recovery program, and help 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.

Essential

Job Duties:

• 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

Other duties as assigned or approved

This position is not eligible for H‑1B or Green Card sponsorship and does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Required Qualifications:

• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in higher education, student development, counseling, or related field
• Experience in higher education academic advising, especially in a faculty‑led advising model
• Track record in academic recovery or retention initiatives supporting students facing persistence barriers
• Experience using data analytics for proactive interventions
• Professional involvement with NACADA:
  The Global Community for Academic Advising or similar professional organizations

Pay Range: $52,400…