First Year Advisor / Learning Specialist
Location: Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia
Type: Staff, Full-Time Salaried
Application Due: Open Until Filled
Category: Academic Advising, Student Support, First Year Experience
Position Summary
Bethany College seeks an enthusiastic, student-centered professional to serve as a First Year Advisor / Learning Specialist. This position plays a critical role in supporting the academic success, retention, and overall transition of first-year students to college life.
Using a holistic and proactive advising approach, the First Year Advisor provides individualized academic guidance, teaches First Year Experience courses, monitors student progress, and implements intervention strategies designed to promote student success and persistence. The successful candidate will build meaningful relationships with students, collaborate with faculty and campus partners, and connect students with resources that support their academic, personal, and professional development.
This is a salaried position that includes a limited number of evening and weekend hours to support student programming, orientation activities, and other special college events.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
· Advise and support a caseload of first-year students through individualized academic and success coaching.
· Teach Bethany College First Year Experience (BFYE) courses designed to facilitate students' transition to college and promote academic success.
· Utilize proactive and intrusive advising practices to identify student needs, address barriers to success, and develop action plans for improvement.
· Monitor academic progress and implement intervention strategies for students experiencing academic difficulties.
· Support student retention, persistence, and graduation initiatives through outreach, case management, and collaboration with campus partners.
· Assist students with academic planning, course selection, registration, and understanding degree requirements.
· Refer students to appropriate campus resources, services, programs, and activities based on individual needs.
· Serve as a liaison between students, faculty, and student support services to promote a coordinated approach to student success.
· Facilitate the transition of students from high school to college, with particular attention to first-generation, underrepresented, and at-risk student populations.
· Maintain accurate and confidential records of student interactions, academic progress, and intervention efforts.
· Participate in orientation, onboarding, retention initiatives, and other student success programs.
· Contribute to the planning and execution of college-sponsored events and activities, including select evening and weekend programs.
Qualifications
Required
· Bachelor's degree (related field preferred)
· Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
· Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with students, faculty, and staff
· Knowledge of academic advising practices and student success strategies
· Familiarity with academic policies, procedures, and degree requirements
· Familiarity with Office 365
Preferred
· Experience in academic advising, student services, or a related higher education field
· Experience teaching college success or first-year seminar courses
· Master's degree in education, counseling, higher education, student affairs, or a related field
· Familiarity with student retention initiatives and early-alert intervention systems
· Knowledge of federal financial aid regulations and student support resources
· Familiarity with Canvas or similar Learning Management Systems, Self-Service, Informer
Desired Attributes
Successful candidates will possess strong interpersonal, communication, and classroom management skills; demonstrate patience, persistence, and a student-centered approach; and exhibit accuracy, responsiveness, and attention to detail in their work. The ideal candidate is adaptable, organized, and committed to continuous learning while fostering positive relationships that support student success and retention.
Applicants should submit the following to [email protected]:
· Resume/CV
· Cover Letter
· References may be requested from candidates selected for interview
Bethany College is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 304-829-7210. For more information related to Bethany College’s Title IX Sexual Harassment policies and procedures, please visit the Bethany College website.
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Bethany College publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. Please see Bethany College’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report for more specific information.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
