Lead Academic Advisor (Student Services Professional III)

About the role

The Lead Academic Advisor plays a pivotal role in supporting the academic success and exploration of undergraduate students, with a primary focus on first- and second-year Undeclared students and upper-division students pursuing individualized academic pathways. Reporting to the Undergraduate Studies Director, this position provides comprehensive coordinated care advising that empowers students to explore majors, develop academic plans, and achieve timely graduation. The role also contributes to campus-wide advising initiatives by helping develop advising infrastructure, including EAB Navigate configuration and cross-divisional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive academic advising to first- and second-year Undeclared students, as well as major advising for upper-division Undeclared students.
• Guide students through academic planning, major exploration, degree requirements, and university policies to support timely graduation.
• Collaborate with cross-divisional partners to develop and maintain advising infrastructure, including EAB Navigate configuration and advising tools.
• Interpret academic records, degree audits, transfer coursework, and university policies to support informed student decision-making.
• Contribute to student success initiatives and continuous improvement efforts that enhance advising services and support equitable student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field; including or supplemented by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related.
• Experience advising a diverse group of students.
• Experience utilizing SDSU Navigate advising (EAB) and other academic advising tools.
• Knowledge of one or more academic disciplines in terms of curricular requirements and career paths.
• Experience advising a student organization.
• Ability to use initiative to plan and implement program activities and improvements.
• Experience in database tracking and management.
• Two years of experience in interpreting and explaining academic policies governing public or private university admissions.
• Two years of experience working in a college or university’s advising, evaluations, registrar or other student service related office.
• Demonstrated experience using a degree audit system.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing college transcript information.
• Ability to calculate grade point averages.
• Demonstrated commitment to engaging in service with underrepresented populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students.
• Experience in fostering or has demonstrated commitment to underrepresented student success.
• Expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration.