Academic Advisor - Department of Communication; College of LAS

Academic Advisor - Department of Communication College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Communication is searching for an Academic Advisor to provide holistic academic advising and coordination of student services in support of the personal, educational, and professional development of undergraduate students. Advisors serve as the primary point of contact for prospective and admitted students, offering guidance on academic planning, degree progress, experiential learning opportunities, and postbaccalaureate pathways. Advisors collaborate closely with faculty and departmental leadership to ensure students receive accurate, timely, and developmentally appropriate support throughout their academic careers.

• Primary Academic Advisor for prospective and admitted students in the Department of Communication including holding posted drop-in and appointment hours;
• Meet with faculty and department leadership to discuss disciplinary trends and department research focus in order to effectively advise students;
• Assist students with course selection and registration;
• Advocate on behalf of students experiencing personal difficulties and referring them to appropriate campus resources;
• Track students' progress toward a degree and to determine when students need additional academic assistance and design individual support plans for students.
• Contributes to orientation and onboarding activities for new students;
• Plan and assist with undergraduate student events, including orientation, convocation, and activity fairs;
• Representing the department at student activities.
• Work with department-related student groups select and supervise student advising interns;
• Participate in departmental communication/marketing efforts.
• Advise students on academic opportunities including study abroad and teaching, research, and career internship programs;
• Advise students on post-baccalaureate plans such as graduate or professional schools and careers.

• Bachelor's degree.
• One (1) year of professional experience or two (2) years of graduate work.
• Experience working directly with students in secondary or higher education.

• Master's degree in Communication or related field.
• Two years of advising and/or teaching experience at the university level.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly those that enable the candidate to effectively communicate clearly with a wide range of constituencies including, students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work from a strengths-based advising perspective.
• Demonstrated ability to track and assess student academic progress.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, with a wide range of on-campus and off-campus constituencies.
• Knowledge of academic skills and student development issues associated with undergraduate student populations, especially those that require enhanced advising and academic skills support.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Zoom, web and social media, Banner, and degree audit systems.
• Ability to work developmentally with students; ability to promote student learning, development, and success by applying varied advising approaches to complex individual student situations.
• Knowledge and application of effective communication and relationship building skills, including active listening, to work constructively and collaboratively with a variety of individuals and groups.
• Knowledge and use of summarization and simplification techniques to explain complex concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience.
• Ability to apply past experience and analysis of information to arrive at sound and timely conclusions.
• Ability to mobilize time and other resources to get things done.

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the deadline date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $55,000 - $62,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129…