Academic Advisor

Department: Col of Engineering and Computing

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary range starting mid/upper $50k, commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The primary purpose of the Department of Statistics is to educate undergraduate and graduate students in statistics, conduct research in statistics, data science, and interdisciplinary research where statistics and data science matter, and administer B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs in statistical and data science.

About the Position:

The Academic Advisor provides academic advising for all current and prospective students. They will assist undergraduate and graduate students and work with the department chair, associate chairs, and program directors in recruitment and retention efforts. Representing the department professionally, the Advisor is a resource for university and department procedures, rules, and regulations as a troubleshooter and problem solver for all students. This role contributes to George Mason University's goals of preparing career-ready graduates and improving graduation and retention rates.

While a hybrid work arrangement is negotiable, the position expects work on campus four days per week.

Responsibilities:

Duties include advising undergraduate students, providing administrative support to both undergrad and graduate students and program directors, and coordinating related departmental events. Key responsibilities include:

Undergraduate Students Advising:

• Advises current undergraduate students in decision-making and developing a plan of study consistent with students' interests, desires, and abilities;
• Assists students regarding course selection, prerequisites, transfer courses, registration and overrides, career and/or educational goals, and general university rules and regulations;
• Coordinates processing of graduation applications;
• Guilds/ensures that students meet departmental requirements of degree progress;
• Acts and assists in troubleshooting and problem-solving (registration errors, late schedule adjustments, retroactive withdrawals, etc.);
• Communicates essential academic registration information;
• Provides information on academic policies, procedures, and practices, including working through various academic requests, forms, and appeals;
• Organizes and retains student records, including advising notes and email exchanges;
• Escalates complex issues or situations with students to supervisor for guidance (any requests for policy exceptions or interventions that need support);
• Participates in outreach initiatives organized by the college/university; and
• Performs prerequisite checks for all STAT undergraduate courses at the beginning of each semester and verifies student eligibility for each class.

Student Affairs:

• Provides administrative support to students and faculty;
• Distributes information and assists in implementing and performing student support services tasks;
• Assists in coordination of efforts to organize departmental functions for students, including events such as orientation or faculty-student advising meetings;
• Participates in university-wide programs and events related to undergraduate students such as admissions, orientation, advising, graduation, and other social and networking events;
• Acts as a liaison between students, faculty, management, and administrative agents to explain programs and university rules and regulations;
• Assists and performs oversight of operations related to student records, graduation, and student recruitment functions;
• Communicates with students, faculty, and administrators via email and other means to address inquiries and foster student success;
• Updates advising materials (printed and online) before each catalog year;
• Creates sample schedules, transfer guides, and degree worksheets for different student populations;
• Tracks potential graduate students by maintaining a list of BAM students or undergraduates interested in MS/PhD programs and identifying excellent candidates;
• Provides BAM student advising and transition support, offering course selection guidance, tracking progress, and assisting with curriculum or advising needs in collaboration with faculty; and
• Assists with prospective student inquiries related to application processes; and
• Organizes regular outreach campaigns to reach out to students proactively.

Other Related Duties:

• Serves on committees and other projects as assigned and as needed;
• Participates in university-wide advising training and ongoing professional development including IT training; and
• Utilizes the university platform for tracking and reporting student interactions and making referrals.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Experience or demonstrated knowledge in one or more of the following areas: academic advising, success coaching, counseling, orientation, disability services, career services, student involvement, and student responsibilities;
• Experience serving, leading, or supporting diverse student populations;
• Experience with computer data entry, email, and Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Forms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational and outreach skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism in communicating with faculty, staff, students, visiting students, families and public;
• Conflict resolution skills;
• Ability to meet deadlines, working accurately and quickly with attention to detail, and being able to manage multiple programs and projects simultaneously;
• Ability to provide strong customer service;
• Ability to work with a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff;
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and to learn new things;
• Comfortable with technology;
• Adaptive and Responsible; and
• Flexibility to work some evening and weekend hours, as needed for Orientation and Admissions events, is a position requirement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in higher education, college student personnel, counseling, or related field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Prior experience working in a higher education setting;
• Prior experience in working or studying with STEM students;
• Experience with leadership, communication, program development, and administrative activities;
• Experience with educational database management systems;
• Knowledge and experience in assisting students in a college setting in academic advising/support; and
• Strong working knowledge of student transitional issues.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Academic Advisor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume. Feel free to add another document that testifies your qualifications listed in your resume (optional).

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Posting Open Date: April 16, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by: May 1, 2025

Open Until Filled: Yes