Academic Advisor

Online Graduate Recruitment & Retention AdvisorThe Online Graduate Recruitment & Retention Advisor serves as a dedicated guide for prospective and current students, from initial inquiry through graduation. This position ensures that each student receives personalized support and high-quality advising aimed at maximizing enrollment success (converting inquiries and admissions into enrolled students) and academic success (supporting persistence through degree completion). The advisor builds strong, trust-based relationships with students and provides proactive, "intrusive" advising to keep students engaged, on track, and connected to university resources. In addition, the advisor collaborates with admissions and academic affairs to implement strategies that improve yield and retention outcomes, fostering an environment where student success is the top priority.Responsibilities include:Prospective Student Recruitment, Engagement & Enrollment Yield: Serves as a point of contact for prospective students and applicants, responding promptly to program inquiries and providing accurate information about curriculum, admissions requirements, and outcomes. Participates in the implementation of online student recruitment efforts through strategies developed in collaboration with program coordinators, admissions, Dean's office, and the marketing and communication staff. Guides admitted students through next steps (e.g. course planning for the first term, submitting enrollment documents) to encourage their matriculation. Coordinates and participates in recruitment activities such as information sessions, webinars, and graduate fairs to represent the program and address candidate questions. Uses all CRM and university systems to manage the recruitment and onboarding process.Academic Advising & Degree Planning: Provides comprehensive academic advising to all assigned students from the time of admission through graduation, developing individualized degree plans that align with each student's goals and ensure a clear path to on-time graduation. Be thoroughly knowledgeable about program requirements, course offerings, and academic policies, including any online learning platforms or technologies, to effectively advise students on navigating their studies. Assists students with course registration each term, verifying that prerequisites and degree requirements are met and helping them make informed decisions about course load and sequencing. Complete graduation audits as needed.Proactive Student Success Support: Utilizes a proactive (intrusive) advising approach to monitor student progress and wellbeing. Regularly reviews academic performance indicators (e.g. course grades, participation in the Learning Management System) and tools to identify students who may be struggling. Initiates timely outreach to at-risk students via email, phone, or virtual meetings, offering coaching, encouragement, and referrals to support services as needed. Implements structured check-ins (e.g. at the midpoint of each term) for all students to discuss their academic experience, thus intervening before small issues become big obstacles. Documents advising interactions and follow-up plans in the student information system to ensure continuity of care.Retention & Completion Initiatives: Develops and contributes to retention strategies that foster student persistence. This includes coordinating onboarding and orientation for new online students (ensuring they understand how to use online platforms and have the necessary technology and study skills), organizing community building opportunities, and organizing workshops or resources on integrating classes into their lives, study strategies, and career planning. Tracks overall retention metrics and assist in analyzing data to identify common barriers; recommend solutions such as curriculum adjustments or additional student support programming to program director and associate dean when appropriate.Student Advocacy and Resource Referral: Maintains a student-centered, customer-service-oriented approach in all interactions. Builds trusting relationships with advisees by being approachable, empathetic, and consistent. Acts as an advocate for students by promptly addressing their concerns and connecting them to campus resources that support their success – for example, referring to financial aid counselors for funding questions, tutoring services for academic help, mental health counselors for personal challenges, or career services for professional development. Ensures that online students, in particular, feel part of the graduate community by facilitating virtual networking events, cohort discussion boards, or mentorship opportunities (building peer community is known to improve online student satisfaction and retention). Is available beyond traditional office hours in exceptional cases (evenings or occasional weekends) to accommodate working professionals in the program.Collaboration and Communication: Works closely with other departments to support student success and enrollment goals. Coordinate with the Admissions team and marketing staff to provide feedback on the quality of student inquiries/applicants and to jointly develop communications that improve yield (for instance, personalized outreach to admitted students who haven't enrolled). Partner with faculty and the academic program director on academic matters – share insights on common advising issues, through the program director and department chairs alert faculty to student concerns in their courses and consults on any curriculum changes that could affect student progress. Participates in regular staff meetings or committees focused on student services, bringing forward any advising-related trends or student feedback. Maintain clear, frequent communication with students via multiple channels (email, phone, video calls) and ensure advising notes are kept up-to-date for team awareness.Continuous Improvement (5%): Stays current with best practices in online education, academic advising, and student success. Engages in professional development (such as NACADA webinars, conferences, or AACSB workshops on student support) to continually enhance advising skills and strategies. Uses data analytics and student feedback to assess the effectiveness of advising interventions – for example, analyze which outreach campaigns yield responses or which student subgroups may need additional support – and adjust approaches accordingly. Uphold the standards of the business school's accreditation by ensuring advising practices align with learner progression and support expectations (e.g., documenting advising services and intervention strategies as required by AACSB standards).Required Degree: Master's degree requiredPreferred Degree: Master's degree in (particular advising academic discipline, Business, Counseling, Non-Traditional, Communication, College Student Personnel, Student Affairs in Higher Education, or related field)Required Experience: 1 year of direct advising or recruiting experience or experience in another college functional area or in a businessKnowledge, Skills, Abilities:Understands and maintains current knowledge of University's policies and processes and Department of Education guidelinesAn entrepreneurial and determined attitude in order to meet targetsAbility to operate a variety of technologies and computer software programsStrong organizational, time management, and interpersonal skillsAbility to multitask and perform under tight timelines and pressureExcellent interpersonal communications skillsAbility to work with faculty, administration, and adult learners; sensitivity to the needs of a broad and non-traditional student population; interpersonal/human relations skillsAbility to encourage and empower students to make their own decisionsAbility to act as an advocate for both the student and the universityAbility to identify students' needs for support services in order to make appropriate recommendationsAbility to maintain confidentialityApplication Deadline: The search committee will review applications until the position is filled; however, for best consideration, applications should be provided by March 31, 2026.Required Application Materials & Evaluation:Experience must be fully documented on the official application.The application will be used to evaluate if candidates meet the minimum requirements for the position and for consideration when determining starting pay rate.Experience requirements are inclusive of relevant professional experience, or experience attained through relevant internships, co-ops, student employment positions, or graduate assistantships.Uploads:Required: Resume (for supplemental information only)Optional: Cover LetterEssential Requirement: Work AuthorizationBGSU 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.