(Hybrid) Senior Academic Advisor - Graduate Programs Office - Chambers College of Business and Economics

This position is primarily responsible for advising students in Graduate Programs and coordinating activities and events at a public, land-grant university. The role serves as a senior-level advisor and assumes program management responsibilities as determined by the Associate and Assistant Dean.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year (for personal illness, caring for sick family, or regularly scheduled medical appointments; family includes immediate relatives, in-laws, and household members)
• Range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks
• Wellness programs

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and coordinate programming including recruitment, new student orientation, academic academies, multi-year retention initiatives, and academic support services
• Assist senior leadership in collecting and analyzing enrollment data to increase retention, persistence, and completion
• Collaborate with recruitment staff to increase yield of admits to deposits
• Coordinate with career services center staff within the college
• Serve on college- and/or university-wide task forces/committees impacting graduate student success
• Provide timely and effective academic counsel to assist students with selecting, matriculating to, and completing graduate degree programs
• Develop and prepare academic plans for advisees and record them in the degree audit system (DegreeWorks)
• Track and monitor persistence and completion in accordance with academic plans and revise as necessary
• Assist with course scheduling for each upcoming semester for Graduate Programs
• Assist with certifying students for graduation at the University level while implementing institutional policies and procedures
• Employ appreciative, developmental, intrusive, and prescriptive academic advising to assist students in persistence and completion of degrees
• Interpret the WVU Graduate Catalog to remain updated on policies and procedures regulating degree conferral
• Utilize student information systems (Banner and Navigate) to track and monitor academic history and in-progress work
• Conduct outreach to students identified as at-risk during midterm grade reporting and make referrals to academic, career, and other support services
• Provide guidance to students submitting appeals for academic and federal financial aid suspensions, including creating academic success plans in DegreeWorks
• Assist students with the transient approval process by reviewing course equivalencies and matching WVU courses with those offered by transient institutions
• Assess student concerns and make referrals to other University representatives/units
• Participate in unit-sponsored events, including on-campus and online recruiting, orientation, and commencement
• Maintain current knowledge of federal statutes (FERPA) protecting the confidentiality of academic records

Requirements

• Master’s degree (a combination of education below the master’s level and experience may be considered)
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in:
  • Advising or counseling
  • Academic or student support services
  • Student information systems
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in program planning/management
• Resume
• Valid US Driver’s License

Skills

• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Knowledge of student information systems (Banner, Student Success Collaborative Campus)
• Application of degree audit/planning tools (DegreeWorks)
• Expertise in different forms of academic advising (appreciative, developmental, intrusive, etc.)
• Professional oral and written communications
• Demonstrated ability to apply critical reasoning and problem solving
• Interpersonal communications and conflict resolution
• Analytical skills for conducting research

About WVU

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees. From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures. At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.