Eastern Oregon University (EOU) is seeking a Director of Academic Advising to provide leadership, direction, and oversight for all academic advising services supporting both on-campus and online students.
Academic advising at EOU is a collaborative, student-centered process that plays a critical role in helping students define and achieve their educational goals. The Director is responsible for ensuring that advising services are consistent, accessible, and aligned with institutional priorities related to student success, retention, persistence, and degree completion.
This position leads a centralized advising unit and oversees advising operations across multiple modalities, including on-campus, online, and regional offices. The Director supervises professional advising staff and is responsible for creating a cohesive, high-performing team that delivers proactive, high-quality advising to a diverse student population.
The Director establishes the mission, vision, and strategic direction of the advising unit, ensuring alignment with the broader goals of Enrollment Management and Academic Affairs. This includes developing and implementing evidence-based advising practices, setting measurable goals for student outcomes, and continuously assessing and improving services based on data and national best practices.
This role requires strong collaboration across the institution. The Director works closely with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, faculty, and college leadership to support a seamless student experience from admission through graduation. The Director also plays a key role in shaping policies, processes, and systems that impact student progression and success.
In addition, the Director oversees the use and development of advising technologies, including CRM systems, to improve communication, tracking, and intervention efforts. The position requires a balance of strategic leadership and operational execution, with a clear focus on improving student outcomes and strengthening institutional effectiveness.
The Director reports to the Executive Director of Enrollment Management.
Responsibilities
Leadership, Strategy, and Vision
- Provide strategic leadership for the Academic Advising unit, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities related to enrollment, retention, and student success
- Develop and implement a comprehensive advising strategy that supports student progression, persistence, and timely degree completion
- Establish and communicate a clear vision for academic advising that reflects best practices and supports a student-centered approach
- Set unit goals and priorities and ensure alignment with EOU’s strategic plan and Enrollment Management initiatives
- Lead ongoing assessment and continuous improvement efforts for advising services
Student Success and Advising Initiatives
- Design, implement, and oversee initiatives that improve key student success metrics, including first-year retention, credit accumulation, and graduation rates
- Develop and manage early alert systems and proactive intervention strategies to identify and support at-risk students
- Ensure that all students receive timely, accurate, and proactive advising support throughout their academic journey
- Strengthen student engagement with advising services through targeted outreach, communication strategies, and coordinated campaigns
- Support the development of academic plans and ensure advising practices promote informed decision-making and student accountability
Data, Assessment, and Outcomes
- Utilize data and analytics to monitor advising effectiveness and identify areas for improvement
- Establish and track key performance indicators for the advising unit
- Regularly analyze student success data, including retention, progression, and satisfaction metrics
- Prepare reports and provide recommendations to senior leadership based on data findings
- Ensure advising practices are informed by evidence-based strategies and national standards
Team Leadership and Supervision
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of professional academic advisors across on-campus and remote locations
- Establish clear expectations for performance, productivity, and student engagement
- Manage advisor caseloads and ensure equitable distribution of work
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and student-focused team culture
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing professional development for advising staff
- Provide training and support to ensure advisors are knowledgeable in policies, systems, and best practices
Operations and Program Management
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the advising unit, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery
- Develop and maintain advising policies, procedures, and workflows
- Ensure consistency in advising practices across all student populations and locations
- Manage unit resources, including budget oversight and allocation
- Monitor and improve operational processes to enhance the student experience
Collaboration and Campus Partnerships
- Work closely with faculty, academic departments, and deans to align advising with academic programs and curriculum
- Partner with Admissions to support the transition from admitted to enrolled student
- Collaborate with the Registrar, Financial Aid, and other student support offices to address barriers to student progression
- Engage with institutional committees, task forces, and initiatives related to student success
- Coordinate with EOU’s online program management partner to ensure alignment in advising support for online students
- Partner with Information Technology on CRM systems and advising technologies to support communication, tracking, and reporting
Technology and Systems
- Oversee the implementation and effective use of advising technologies, including CRM platforms such as Slate Student Success and Degreeworks
- Ensure systems are used to support proactive advising, student tracking, and intervention efforts
- Provide training and guidance to staff on the use of advising tools and systems
- Collaborate on system improvements and enhancements to better support student success outcomes
Policy, Compliance, and Decision-Making
- Develop and implement policies and procedures that support effective advising and student success
- Ensure advising practices comply with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and ethical guidelines
- Exercise independent judgment in decision-making related to advising operations and student support
- Contribute to institutional planning and policy discussions related to student success and academic progress
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in any field
- Three (3) to five (5) years of professional experience in academic advising, student success, or a closely related area within a college or university setting
- At least three (3) years of experience supervising, leading, or coordinating the work of professional staff, student employees, or teams
- Demonstrated knowledge of academic advising practices, student development theory, and retention strategies, including familiarity with NACADA recommendations and best practices
- Experience using data to inform decision-making, assess student outcomes, and improve programs or services
- Experience working with diverse student populations, including students from varying cultural, socioeconomic, educational, and geographic backgrounds
- Strong understanding of common barriers to student persistence and success, and experience supporting students through those challenges
- Experience working with institutional systems such as student information systems, CRM platforms, or advising technologies
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, solve complex problems, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across departments and work effectively with faculty, staff, and students
- Strong organizational and administrative skills, including experience managing processes, coordinating initiatives, or supporting program operations
- Ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion
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Must satisfactorily complete EOU criminal and credential background check. Having a criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment.
- In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Eastern Oregon University will not sponsor applicants for employment visas.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree (any field)
- Experience planning and conducting workshops, organizing special events, and/or activities, and making effective presentations before groups of all sizes.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Eastern Oregon University – Oregon’s Rural University! – is a respected public, higher education institution of academic excellence. Outstanding faculty and staff thrive and together fulfill their career ambitions to serve students from all walks of life.
Applicant must provide:
1) Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant’s professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU);
2) Resume/Curriculum vitae;
3) Submit names, emails, and phone numbers for at least three references in the reference section of the application.
Candidates are encouraged to review the values and principles of Eastern Oregon University.
Only complete files of qualified applicants will be reviewed.
EOU is a beautiful, quaint campus nestled in the remarkably scenic, high elevation Grande Ronde Valley populated by wonderful, community-minded citizens that have balanced work-life flexibility. Take a virtual tour of Eastern Oregon University.
EOU offers a very attractive package of State of Oregon public employee benefits including:
- Paid holidays (10 days/year)
- Paid vacation (accrues 15 hours/month)
- Paid sick time-off (accrues 8 hours/month – no limit!)
- Individual AND Family Healthcare Insurance: medical, dental and vision! (95%+ employer-paid!)
- Generous Oregon Public Employee Retirement System benefits
- Employer paid life insurance
- Relocation assistance
- Discounted tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents
- Discounted athletics facilities membership
- For more details, see Prospective Employees.
Eastern Oregon University is an EEO Employer and welcomes applications from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, US Veterans, and persons with disabilities. EOU is committed to providing equal opportunity in its recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities and employment without illegal discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any status as protected by state or federal law.
Salary $65,000-$85,214 annually
