Job Description

Academic Advisor

The Academic Advisor position is responsible for engaging students in the decision-making processes and promoting appropriate and responsible choices on academic matters such as course selection and degree requirements. The position maintains appropriate confidentiality, updates student advising records, and contributes to the development and delivery of academic advising related events and programs. The Academic Advisor works to ensure students receive accurate, timely, and holistic advising services in support of promoting student success, retention, and program completion. In addition, the position strives to create a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Receives, processes, and responds to academic inquiries according to established policies and procedures
• Supports colleges and departments related to permission numbers, reentry application processing, progress reports and academic alert case management, and probation/suspension student support.
• Provides advising services for prospective and incoming students including, but not limited to, prospective student meetings, transcript evaluation, placement information, program/plan confirmation, degree progress assessment and academic plan development, and new student registration facilitation.
• Manages an assigned caseload of students and is responsible for the following related functions: degree progress assessment and academic plan development; curriculum knowledge (terms offered, prerequisites, toxic course combinations, etc.); general education, university, and program-related requirements (GEUR and program exceptions); returning student registration (campaign management and registration triage), university withdrawal, add/drop, professional credentials/certifications, internship process, and transfer process.
• Maintains confidentiality and accurate student records and processes and responds to academic inquiries according to established institutional and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policies.

Serves as a main point of contact for students and provides information about educational options and academic requirements; assists with identifying and assessing interests, skills, and values to match appropriate field of study/career options and refers students to appropriate institutional resources.

• Develops a collaborative advising relationship, where each advisee feels a sense of connection, support, and guidance.
• Maintains expertise with advised curriculum and may assist in developing and recommending exceptions for policy and curriculum.
• Is familiar with the Student Handbook and university and college academic policies and procedures.
• Understands general education, university, and program-related requirements.
• Identifies and assesses individual factors that may aid or impede success (previous achievement, motivations, financial resources, employment, personality, health, etc.).
• Identifies and assesses interests, skills, and values and alignment related to career goals.
• Meets with advisees at least once per semester, more as needed.
• Facilitates registration campaigns in coordination with the college and in alignment with campus wide efforts.
• Is knowledgeable of institutional, college, and department resources to promote academic and career development and success.
• Develops and implements academic interventions as appropriate.
• Proactively engages students as needed to communicate important dates and deadlines and as part of retention initiatives.
• Assists advisees in reading and interpreting the degree audit to make informed educational decisions.
• Engages students in decision-making process that promotes appropriate and responsible choices on academic matters.
• Provides accurate, timely, and holistic advising services in support of student success, retention, and program completion.

Participates in the campus-wide advising community

• Provides input to leadership regarding the development of advising, recruitment, and co/curricular programs offered by the college.
• Implements academic advising events such as workshops, panel discussions, academic success courses, and guest speakers.
• Supports campus events focused on prospective students in collaboration with the Admissions department including, but not limited to, Falcon Preview Days and Admitted Students Day.
• Supports campus focused on first year registration including New Student Orientation, Registration Days, and Nesting Day.
• Attends departmental and college faculty-staff meetings and participates in events and ceremonies.
• Engages in campus-wide retention initiatives and data collection efforts including supporting probationary students.

Leverages technology to support student advising and data

• Learns and uses the associate technology that supports advising and registration including eSIS, U.Achieve, Navigate360, Slate, and BP Logix.
• Orients student advisees to educational platforms and student information systems including eSIS, U.Achieve, Navigate360, and Canvas.
• Uses technology for progress report case management.

Participates in other duties as assigned

• Serves on various university-wide and system-wide committees.
• Identifies and engages in professional development opportunities.
• Engages in other projects and initiatives as requested.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Implements academic advising events such as workshops, panel discussions, and guest speakers
• Participates in the campus-wide advising community providing input to leadership regarding the development of advising, recruitment, and co/curricular programs offered by the school/college
• Serves as a main point of contact for students and provides information about educational options and academic requirements; assists with identifying and assessing interests, skills, and values to match appropriate field of study/career options, and refers students to appropriate institutional resources
• Proactively engages students as needed
• Receives, processes, and responds to academic inquiries according to established policies and procedures
• Maintains expertise with advised curriculum and may assist in developing and recommending exceptions for policy and curriculum
• Maintains confidentiality and accurate student records and processes and responds to academic inquiries according to established institutional and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policies

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Qualifications (Required):

• Bachelor's Degree
• Skilled communicator with success in developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships
• Strong organizational and time management skills

Qualifications (Preferred):

• Master's Degree
• Two years of experience working in higher education
• Experience within educational area in which advising caseload is assigned
• Experience with integrated information systems (Peoplesoft, Navigate360, U.Achieve, Slate)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Commitment to developing an inclusive, highly collaborative work environment among faculty, staff, and students

How to Apply:

Applicants are required to apply online at Career Opportunities. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Applicants are required to provide:

• Resume
• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)

Inquiries should be addressed to: Karen Smolarek

Search Chair

karen.smolarek@uwrf.edu

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before September 29, 2026.

Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 7.20%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to:

UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

Title IX Notice

As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in

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