Academic Advisor (18503)

About the Department/Unit

American University’s School of Communication (AU SOC) welcomes applicants to join its creative and dynamic team of professionals. Our community is committed to the mission of engaging the most pressing issues of our time through teaching, scholarship, and professional experiences in communication and media in Washington and beyond. SOC empowers undergraduates and graduates in its programs to tell stories that influence change, inspire action, and transform our communities and our world. Faculty are leaders in their fields, contributing scholarly, creative and professional work in communication studies, film and media arts, journalism, and public communication. We know that teams perform best when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. The unique contributions of SOC employees drive our success, and we are committed to building a culture where everyone has an opportunity to do meaningful work. Learn more about SOC at american.edu/soc/.

Summary/Objective

Provides professional academic support services to undergraduate students in the School of Communication. Advises and counsels new, continuing and non-degree students regarding their academic, professional and career goals. Provides guidance on issues that affect academic performance and monitors the academic progress of each assigned student. Actively participates in on-campus activities related to the recruitment, conversion, and retention of new and continuing undergraduate students. This position works under general supervision.

Essential Functions

1. Academic Advising:Advises and counsels undergraduate students in meeting degree requirements and understanding policy as well as procedures; assists students with selection and registration of courses; addresses issues that affect academic performance; makes appropriate referrals to other University student services; communicates with faculty regarding students in academic distress; liaisons with other University departments that support athletes, international students, first generation students, students of color, learning disabled students, honor students, and other students with special needs or circumstances; provides recommendations and solutions to streamline advising processes that improve students’ academic experience and address their developmental needs.
2. Academic Review:Monitors and evaluates each student’s academic progress throughout the school year; assists students with the resolution of problems that arise after periodic degree audit updates, change of majors, graduation, etc.; Conducts degree clearance for graduating students; assists students in selecting classes and in making changes for registration; Maintains and updates students files; Makes recommendations to the Director regarding exceptions to academic regulations, academic warnings, probations and dismissals.
3. Recruitment and Orientation Activities for New Students:Assists both new first year and transfer students with their selection and registration of courses; participates in on-campus recruitment and conversion events; conducts orientation activities for new students.
4. Co-curricular Programming and Special Projects:Participates actively with the Director, the advising team, and other University staff to identify and develop experiential education programs and other special initiatives that enhance the professional, intellectual, career, leadership, and personal development of undergraduate students.
5. Represents the SOC on university committees and serves as resource for faculty and other members of the university community.

Supervisory Responsibility

• The Academic Advisor reports directly to the Director of Undergraduate Student & Academic Affairs.
• The advisor works with approximately 350 individual undergraduate students, including new first year and transfer students as well as non-degree and continuing students.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full Time.
• Coordinator/Analyst B.
• Exempt.
• This is a union-eligible position.
• Some evening and weekend hours may be required.
• The union-eligibility of individual position incumbents will be determined based on the incumbent’s employer of record.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor degree required.
• Master’s degree in student development/affairs, higher education, or counseling with exposure to academic advising or other relevant, transferrable professional experience preferred.
• 2-4 years of work experience in academia in a student affairs capacity.
• Strong interpersonal communication and problem solving skills with an appreciation for diversity.
• Excellent attention to detail with strong ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced, high pressure environment.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as part of a team and develop productive working relationships with multiple constituencies (students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents).
• Familiarity with a university environment including an understanding of the organizational and governance structure of major colleges and universities.

Preferred Education and Experience

Most important knowledge, skills, abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and advising skills such as the ability to listen, hear, and empathize, and communicate effectively with students, faculty, parents and administrators.
• The ability to make appropriate decisions.
• The ability to work with diverse student populations.
• Knowledge and understanding of the developmental issues (academic, social, intellectual and ethical) in a diverse population of young adults.
• To be familiar with the unique features of a university community.
• To understand and to interpret university policies and procedures as they apply to advising students and parents.
• To know the requirements for individual majors, and university programs.
• To understand the importance of developing cooperative working relationships with other divisions of the campus community.
• To become familiar with resources and support services for students.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• The position requires a high level of interaction with the other Academic Advisor, Senior Academic Advisor, Senior Administrative Assistant as well as students, faculty and other campus and external constituencies including the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Academic Services, the SOC Academic Program Assistants, Academic Advisors, Dean of Students, Registrar’s Office, AU Central, International Student Services, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, New Student Programs, AU Abroad, Academic Support and Access Center, Counseling Center, Athletic Academic Support Service, the Dean for Undergraduate Education, Honors, and the Office of Enrollment.
• The advisor is expected to exercise professional judgment in all aspects of the position and has broad decision-making authority subject to review by the Director.

Others

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• To ensure the health and safety of our community AU requires COVID-19 vaccinations for faculty and staff. Click here to learn more about our health and safety directive .
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC