Department
ACADEMIC SUPPORT (NW-ACSP-IUNWA)
Department Information
Academic Support is committed to promoting student success through holistic, student-centered advising that empowers learners to achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals. The department partners with faculty, academic units, and campus support services to provide comprehensive guidance throughout a student's educational journey. Advisors play a critical role in fostering student persistence, retention, and timely degree completion while creating a welcoming environment for a wide variety of student.
Job Summary
The Academic Advisor serves as a trusted partner in supporting student persistence, academic achievement, and timely degree completion by providing holistic advising, individualized guidance, and proactive outreach throughout the student lifecycle.
Department Specific Responsibilities
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Provides proactive academic advising to undergraduate and graduate students through individual appointments, group advising sessions, and outreach initiatives.
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Monitors student academic progress and identify students who may benefit from early intervention, connecting them with appropriate campus resources.
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Assists students with degree planning, course sequencing, graduation planning, and understanding university policies and procedures.
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Supports new student orientation, registration events, and advising initiatives designed to promote student transition and retention.
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Collaborates with faculty, enrollment management, financial aid, student affairs, and other campus partners to address student needs and remove barriers to success.
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Maintains accurate, timely advising notes, student records, and degree-planning documentation using university systems.
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Participates in recruitment, orientation, open houses, and other campus events representing Academic Support and Indiana University.
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Analyzes student success trends and provide recommendations to improve advising processes, student engagement, and retention efforts.
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Serves on departmental and campus committees that support academic success and continuous improvement initiatives.
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Stays current on curriculum changes, university policies, advising best practices, and national trends in higher education.
General Responsibilities
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Provides academic counseling for students pursuing or considering majors, minors, or certificates. Guides students in planning their course of study in concert with the departments' curricular requirements. Explains curriculum requirements and school and campus policies.
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Meets with students in groups and 1-on-1 to guide students in academic programs that will meet their educational needs and the requirements of their chosen major, minor, and/or certificate.
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Assists students in making informed decisions about a choice of major and potential career or graduate school direction. Helps students to assess their interests, values, and academic skills and to understand these in relation to major choice and potential future career/graduate school options.
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Teaches students how to navigate university systems, academic processes, and policies. Empowers student accountability in academic decisions about courses, career direction, and long-term plans. Provides guidance on avenues for increased involvement as an IU student and in the IU community.
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Refers students to appropriate campus resources, such as academic support resources, placement programs, internship and overseas study opportunities, etc.
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Tracks and monitors students' academic progress, reviews and maintains confidential student records to ensure that students meet requirements and to document advising discussions, and communicates this information in a timely manner to students and to appropriate academic offices when necessary.
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Represents the advising function as a presenter at campus meetings and recruiting functions. Assists in developing written advising materials for use in student events.
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Researches, recommends, or creates best practices for unit or campus initiatives, projects, processes, or programs and may provide guidance to other Academic Advisors.
Qualifications
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
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Master's degree in related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required
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2 years in student affairs, teaching, academic advising, or related field. Experience in a student-focused, higher education environment is highly desired.
Preferred
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3 years in student affairs, teaching, academic advising, or related field.
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Experience advising undergraduate or graduate students in a college or university setting.
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Experience interpreting degree requirements, curriculum, and academic policies.
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Experience working with a variety of student populations, including first-generation, transfer, adult, military-affiliated,.
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Experience utilizing student information systems, degree audit software, or customer relationship management (CRM) platforms.
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Experience planning and facilitating workshops, orientation programs, or student success initiatives.
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Experience collaborating across multiple academic departments and administrative offices.
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Experience using student success data to identify trends and develop targeted outreach strategies.
SKILLS
Required
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Proficient communication skills.
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Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
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Demonstrates time management and priority-setting skills.
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Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
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Possesses flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
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Seeks to acquire knowledge in the area of specialty.
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Highly thorough and dependable.
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Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.
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Uses and learns new technology proficiently, and adapts practices as technology changes.
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Meet Best Practices and National Standards for Academic Advising.
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Understands and meets FERPA requirements.
Preferred
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Demonstrated commitment to student success, retention, and excellence.
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Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with students, faculty, and staff.
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Ability to navigate complex academic policies while exercising sound judgment and discretion.
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Excellent presentation and group facilitation skills
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Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.
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Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities in a fast-paced, student-centered environment
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Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and higher education technology platforms (e.g., PeopleSoft, Slate, EAB Navigate, or similar student information systems).
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Ability to analyze student data and use information to support advising strategies and student outcomes.
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The ability to effectively serve students from a wide variety of backgrounds.
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Commitment to continuous professional development and best practices in academic advising.
Working Conditions / Demands
This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Additional Information
This position is part of the IU Framework for Academic Advising and Career Development. Learn more about the associated expectations, student learning outcomes, and institutional commitments.
Work Location
IU Northwest Campus
Gary, Indiana
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
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Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
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Health savings account with generous IU contributions
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Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
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Basic group life insurance paid by IU
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Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death and dismemberment insurance
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Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
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Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
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Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
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10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
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Generous paid time off plans
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Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
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Employee assistance program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.
Job Classification
Career Level: Career
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Student Services
Job Family: Academic Advising
Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.
Posting Disclaimer
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.
Campus Safety and Security
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at [email protected] or by visiting IUPD.
Contact Us
Request Support
Telephone: 812-856-1234
