Assistant Director of Graduate Academic Advising

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary:
  Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard
  
  Work Schedule:
• Building:
  Morningside
• Salary Range: $74,000 to $82,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

The Assistant Director of Graduate Academic Advising supports the academic success and overall experience of Columbia Engineering graduate students. The role enhances advising capacity across master’s and doctoral programs, with added emphasis on master's level support. It focuses on providing academic policy guidance, supporting partnership and dual‑degree programs, and coordinating responses to student concerns. In addition to advising master’s students, the position contributes to selected doctoral processes and assists with routine doctoral student‑related inquiries.

The Assistant Director works closely with departments and campus partners to ensure students receive consistent information, timely assistance, and a clear path toward degree completion.

Graduate Student Advising (50%):

Advises graduate students, with an emphasis on MS students, on various aspects of their studies, including school‑level degree requirements, academic policies, and procedures.

Meets with students individually, responds to their inquiries, and connects them to resources as appropriate.

Advises students interested in or enrolled in the school's various MS specializations, such as the Advanced Master's Research specialization.

Supports student advising needs for partnership and dual‑degree programs, coordinating requirements, documentation, and routine communications with students.

Coordinates onboarding and support for incoming partnership and dual‑degree program students, including orientation materials and transition guidance.

Serves as an advisor for designated Columbia Engineering MS programs, including but not limited to MBAxMS and the MS in AI program. Tracks and provides guidance to students on curriculum requirements, registration issues, and academic planning.

Refers students to their respective faculty advisors and Career Placement Officers to address electives, career‑related questions, and other issues.

Serves as a liaison with Columbia Engineering departments in supporting all aspects of student affairs to ensure student success.

Assists with escalated student cases from Columbia Engineering departments on complex academic policy issues, providing high‑touch support and case management.

Collaborates with other schools, offices, and departments (GSAS, ISSO, Registrar, Health Services, Student Financial Services, and Columbia Residential) on student cases as needed.

Maintains a very high level of knowledge of school academic policies and procedures.

Attends, assists, and presents at new‑student orientation, relevant school‑level or program‑specific meetings and events, and other events throughout the year.

Tracks, assesses, and reports on student data. Identifies students who are not meeting satisfactory academic progress. Recognizes and advises on trends in advising cohorts.

Graduate Student Affairs (30%):

Assists in monitoring and tracking MS and doctoral students’ degree progress, registration status, academic standing, and changes in status.

Identifies students who are not meeting satisfactory academic progress.

Provides support and coordinates with department student affairs officers on academic plans for students who require monitoring or intervention.

Identifies trends on a larger scale and works to address them through school policy and at the program level.

Serves on the Engineering Student Affairs graduate student on‑call team, providing crisis intervention for graduate students experiencing difficulty.

Responsible for engaging with the student/s and then connecting the student to the appropriate resources for further engagement.…