Professional Advisor I

TITLE: Professional Advisor I

DEPARTMENT: Student Success Center

REPORTS TO: Director of Student Success

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBA

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt



JOB SUMMARY:

The Professional Advisor I in the Student Success Center at Kentucky State University provides personalized, one-on-one guidance to students, supporting their academic success and timely degree completion. Working as part of a high-functioning team, the Advisor helps students navigate academic pathways, addresses challenges, and contributes to retention programming efforts. The role may also include teaching KSU seminar courses and assisting with initiatives to enhance student engagement and persistence. This position requires the exercise of independent judgment and decision-making to support students’ academic goals and success.



ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide individualized academic advising to students, assisting with course selection, degree requirements, and academic planning to align with student interests and career goals.
• Stay informed about academic policies, program requirements, and degree pathways, advising students on prerequisites, core requirements, and electives.
• Develop and assist students in creating personalized semester-by-semester course schedules to ensure timely progress toward graduation while considering program requirements.
• Collaborate with campus departments (e.g., tutoring, career services, mental health services) to connect students with resources for academic success.
• Track and assess students' academic progress, identifying challenges, and developing strategies to address issues, including referrals to support services.
• Interpret and communicate academic policies and procedures, including course registration, withdrawal, academic standing, and transfer credits.
• Provide career guidance and exploration, helping students identify career paths, majors, minors, internships, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Assist in orientation programs and support new students in navigating academic processes and course registration.
• Maintain accurate records of student interactions and advising sessions, utilizing advising software and systems.
• Stay current with student development theories, academic advising best practices, and institutional policies.
• Represent the Advising Office at events such as open houses, admissions events, and other functions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Superior listening, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to effectively advise and support students.
• Experience with retention data collection, reporting, and analysis to support student success initiatives.
• Knowledge of best practices in academic advising, student retention strategies, and postsecondary education.
• Ability to quickly learn and stay informed on the range of student services, academic policies, and procedures at Kentucky State University.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build professional relationships with a diverse student population, including low-income, first-generation, underrepresented, disabled, non-traditional, and international students.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively.
• High degree of confidentiality and attention to detail in handling sensitive student information.
• Proficiency in productivity software (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to interpret and explain university policies, procedures, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Flexibility to work staggered hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to support student advising and university events.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Master’s degree preferred), with applicable experience in higher education settings.
• 1-2 years of experience in Higher Education (preferred)

Licensing and Certifications: NA



WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Some evening and weekend hours may be required to accommodate student advising, university events, and deadlines.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior and/or office work environment.
• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply.