Academic Advisor

Academic Advisor

Campus

Title:

Academic Advisor

State

Job Title:

Staff Associate

Department: Academic Affairs

Job Code: HA5300

FLSA Status: Exempt

Funding:  (Grant Funded)*

Bargaining Unit: APA

Job Type: Full-Time Temporary / On-campusposition

Timeframe: 52 Weeks

Shift: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (some nights and weekends required)

Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday

Supervision Received: Reports to the Director of Academic Advising and Transfer Transition.

Supervision Exercised: May supervise Trust Fund/Work Study students, Peer Advisors, Graduate Assistants, and Office Interns.

Salary: $61,000 to $65,000 Annually (salary commensurate with education and experience)

* Two positions will be hired off this one posting*

* This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment beyond the grant period is contingent upon the availability of funding and institutional need. Upon the grant's conclusion, the position will be evaluated for potential adoption and funding by Westfield State University.*

With the primary goal of student success, the Academic Advisor provides comprehensive, student-centered academic advising and holistic support to a diverse undergraduate population across all academic disciplines. Working collaboratively within a dual advising model alongside faculty advisors, academic departments, and the Career Center, the Academic Advisor assists students in navigating complex educational and career decisions while promoting retention, persistence, equity, and timely degree completion.

The Academic Advisor collaborates with administrators, faculty, program area chairs, campus partners, and student support offices to deliver proactive, data-informed advising services and contribute to institutional retention strategies. Responsibilities include supervising student employees, planning and delivering advising programs and workshops, and maintaining current working knowledge of all University policies and procedures.

Student satisfaction through timely, responsive, and equitable service is a paramount expectation of this position. In addition to regular working hours, the Health Professions Advisor may occasionally be expected to support evening and weekend programs, student events, outreach initiatives, and time-sensitive student concerns.

Essential duties include but are not limited to the following. Responsibilities are grouped by function.

• Provide comprehensive, holistic academic advising to an assigned caseload of undergraduate students, in collaboration with faculty advisors, to support informed decision-making, retention, and on-time graduation.
• Analyze and interpret student data, transcripts, academic histories, and placement results to develop individualized academic plans, and offer guidance on university policies, academic programs, degree requirements, institutional resources, and career pathways.
• Assist students with registration, add/drop, withdrawals, changes of curriculum, and related academic processes, reviewing academic records to ensure appropriate course recommendations, including walk-in advising support during peak enrollment periods throughout the year.

• Advocate for students by identifying barriers to success and connecting students to appropriate campus and community resources including tutoring, counseling, accessibility services, financial aid, and wellness support services.
• Monitor academic progress throughout the semester and use early alert platforms, including Starfish (WSU 360), to identify at-risk students and implement timely, targeted outreach and intervention strategies.
• Contribute to institutional retention and persistence initiatives through data-informed advising strategies and collaborative planning.
• Design, coordinate, and deliver advising materials, programs, workshops, and events that promote student engagement, success, and retention.
• Participate and assist with admissions events, New Student Orientation, and other campus-wide enrollment and retention programs.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty,…