Academic Advisor

About the role

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University is part of the largest business school in Virginia, located in Fairfax, VA. The college prepares students for careers in business and government through AACSB-accredited programs and focuses on multi-disciplinary education.

Responsibilities

• Provides academic advising to current and aspiring business students on topics like major or minor choice, curriculum selection, study skills, scholarship opportunities, and career planning.
• Develops and implements academic-related events and outreach programs to support student retention and academic development.
• Develops and manages student services program operations, establishes goals, and evaluates program effectiveness.
• Maintains accurate and timely student records in Patriot Connect, including advising notes, tags, email communications, and appointment availability.
• Creates and manages special events and projects as assigned by leadership in the Office of Student Success and Academic Services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1–2 years of professional, internship, or student-leadership experience involving direct customer service, client relations, or student-facing interaction.
• Experience interpreting and explaining complex policies, rules, or guidelines to a diverse audience.
• Experience managing data entry, tracking records, or maintaining email inboxes using professional software or database tools.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening and the ability to effectively engage with students from a wide diversity of backgrounds.
• Excellent presentation skills; strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills; relationship skills: teamwork, collaboration, networking, development; technology skills: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, data/reporting tools, AI tools, use of internet; ability to develop, implement and manage academic programs and services; ability to manage multiple tasks and work independently; proven ability to work effectively as part of a team both within and outside the department; and demonstrated ability to organize workshops, events, or small-scale programs while balancing multiple administrative tasks independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• 1+ years of direct experience in higher education, specifically within academic advising, student affairs, registrar services, or admissions.
• Experience managing a large caseload of students or clients in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.
• Experience evaluating program effectiveness or developing administrative workflows to improve student support services.
• Knowledge and technical proficiency utilizing higher education platforms such as student information systems (SIS)/student record databases (e.g., Banner) and CRMs.
• Ability to manage a large, diverse caseload of students independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.