Academic Advisor

The Academic Advisor will help students understand degree requirements; create, clarify, and refine educational goals and plans; explore curricular and co-curricular opportunities; select majors; understand academic policies and procedures; connect with faculty members and university resources; address concerns and challenges both inside and outside the classroom that impact academic success; determine academic goals and develop meaningful educational plans. Advisors will work closely with other departments and offices to ensure that students are effectively served and may be responsible for coordinating co-curricular or other academic support programs. The Academic Advisor will report to the Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities

Advising: (50%)

• Academic Advising through one-to-one advising, online platforms, email and phone communications, workshop presentations, large group presentations that may include prospective students, and new incoming students and parents.

• Review and monitor student advising records, including degree audits, departmental/internal advising worksheets, transcripts, and student schedules, keep updated records and notes in student files.

• Assist with workshops for students regarding school and options relating to minors and second major matters, such as prerequisites, deadlines for declaring a minor or second major, along with designing and conducting advising events with other members of the Academic Affairs advisement team.

• Hold one-on-one and small group life skills workshops and coaching designed and coordinated with the Associate and Assistant Deans.

• Coordinate with other members of the Academic Affairs advisement team to provide office coverage for the Academic Advising office.

Programming and Resource Liaison: (30%)

• Support the Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, and Senior Coordinator of Academic Services throughout the school year with such tasks as advising for first year and transfer orientations, senior checks, development of advising materials, open hours, preview day, graduation.

• Support the Associate and Assistant Dean with various student mentoring and undergraduate research related events.

• Direct students towards campus resources that will enhance their ability to be academically successful, referring students to other staff members of the CFA Dean’s Office as appropriate.

• Oversee College-level student engagement initiatives, including but not limited to, the implementation and maintenance of technology-based platforms.

Communication and Reporting: (20%)

• Work with the Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, and Senior Coordinator for Academic Services as well as the Communications Manager regarding student outreach.

• Utilize Banner/PROWL reporting to monitor cohorts to promote student success, retention, and persistence initiatives.

• Analyze data and make recommendations to promote student success.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean, College of Communication and Fine Arts (or the immediately defined authority from the CFA Academic Affairs Office).

Duties for the position include:

• Advise on matters of curriculum, course and degree requirements, transfer credit evaluation, and graduation counseling and clearance.

• With the Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, and Senior Coordinator of Academic Services, develop web and paper materials related to development and implementation of life skills relevant to academic success.

• Monitor student progress, maintain academic unit student records, and assist with petition applications before they go to the Associate Dean for final approval.

• Advise students on an individual and group basis as part of assigned student program and services. May meet with parents to provide information and facilitate problem resolution.

• Evaluate student problems (academic, administrative or personal) and refer students to appropriate student support services

• Implement, support, and assess College-level student engagement initiatives.

• Provide general support and office coverage for the operation of the CFA Academic Advisement Center for  Student Success (AACSS).

• Maintain current knowledge of policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to registration, course and degree requirements, graduation requirements, petitions, and other student services.

Loyola Marymount University Expectations

Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university.  Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct.  Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Requisite Qualifications

• Typically a Bachelor Degree or equivalent experience. Master’s Degree in Education, Psychology, Counseling, or Sociology is preferred; other disciplinary areas and commensurate experience considered. Incumbent will be expected to continue upgrading knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy changes.

• Minimum 2 years of experience working with student program or services in progressively responsible positions. 

• Demonstrated knowledge in the areas of academic advising, curriculum, administrative functions in education field.

• Exemplary communication skills (both written and oral) evidenced by background in preparing comprehensive reports and executive summaries incorporating complex, highly technical information. 

• Experience designing and creating instructional material preferred.

• Highly developed organizational and leadership skills.

• Ability to multitask in a shared-space team environment as well as being adaptable to the varying student and faculty needs according to the seasons of the academic year.

• Demonstrated computer competency and knowledgeable of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Constantly required to sit, feel, use finger movement, speak clearly, hear conversation, see near and far. Frequently required to stand and walk.  Occasionally required to lift, carry and push up to 25 lbs., stoop, kneel, reach high and low, use depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The work environment is normal.

MENTAL DEMANDS:  Mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Frequent calculating, interrupted work, variety of interrelated tasks, sustained concentration, use of reasoning, judgment, resourcefulness, analytical ability, and ingenuity.

#HERC# #HEJ#

Staff Regular

Salary range

$71,100.00 - $88,900.00 Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Please note that this position may not be eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Loyola Marymount University, a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence, the education of the whole person, and the building of a just society. LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state and local law. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply. (Visit www.lmu.edu for more information.)