Senior Academic Advisor

Department: Education & Social Policy
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Provides guidance and counsel to students designed to assist them in making decisions associated with their academic goals. Assesses individual situations and circumstances, and creates, implements and monitors recommendations, partnering with internal resources and departments/external organizations that meet student needs. Ensures compliance with associated policies, rules and regulations. While this academic advisor role serves a diverse portfolio of SESP graduate programs, a significant number of students will be pursuing teacher licensure or will be practicing teachers. Experience working in K12 schools, with a background in state licensure requirements, is preferred.

Please note: There may be occasional evening and weekend duties for student events.

Specific Responsibilities :

• Advises and supports portfolio of students (~120-150) across diverse SESP graduate programs and non-credit bearing certificates, regarding course selection, enrollment, graduation requirements, degree customization (e.g., timing, certificates), student support and resources, navigating university enrollment systems, student/faculty relations, course completion, etc. Works with students to create program plans and approves program plan changes.
• Provides student-centered, policy-compliant advising tailored to individual needs; develops and implements practices to enhance advising effectiveness; addresses complex student issues, including retention, academic probation, special needs, and extended absences. Interacts with university partner offices (Graduate Financial Aid, Accessible NU, Office of International Student and Scholar Support, Registrar, etc.) proactively and in response to specific student needs to ensure student success.
• Familiarizes themselves with unique academic and professional culture of those academic programs for which they advise students by interacting with program faculty, attending academic program events and programs, familiarizing themselves with course content, and understanding industry standards, needs, and trends.
• Serve on team that designs and manages services to support graduate student enrollment-related needs and activities, including onboarding, program planning, course registration, quarterly tracking, offboarding, graduation, etc.
• Provides collaborative support to - and attend relevant programs of - other SESP Graduate Studies departments including: 1) Marketing and Communications in identifying students to feature in news stories; 2) Admissions and Enrollment team in the admissions process (occasionally meeting with prospective/admitted students to discuss academic scheduling and program-specific concerns, attend admitted student academic affairs related programming; and 3) academic program directors in their efforts to create program-specific programming (reunions, open houses, receptions, etc.).
• Tracks, reports, and addresses compliance with ongoing student expectations. Monitors and escalates student progress and probation, course incompletes, etc. Works with Directors to address ongoing student issues as needed.
• Identifies and resolves administrative issues associated with ongoing student enrollment and advising. Contributes to development of effective departmental advising processes.
• Oversees and communicates program schedule throughout academic year, including student pre-quarter preparation, application deadlines, enrollment and registration deadlines, onboarding checklist and schedule, offboarding and graduation schedule/deadlines, etc.
• Creates and contributes content and resources on regular basis to online Student Services sites (Canvas and other collaboration platforms) to provide needed and helpful information to students. Assists with creation, implementation, and delivery of academic advising-related newsletters and other communication tools and platforms.
• Reviews administrative processes and procedures regarding student services and recommends changes. Assists the director with creating and maintaining student handbooks.
• Provides \ input on design and development of graduate student/program databases for student services and engagement throughout the student lifecycle. Provides strategic management of Salesforce student records and reporting. Uses Northwestern and departmental tools such as SES, Salesforce (customer relationship management system), Canvas, and Sharepoint to create, collaborate, and archive documents in support of student success and student affairs. Ensures program planner online tool reflects accurate course schedule and graduation/certificate requirements.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate student program records in SES (Student Enterprise System) and Salesforce. Troubleshoots, recommends changes, designs reports, and updates Salesforce system as needed.
• Liaison with other schools/departments outside of SESP to enroll SESP graduate students in non-SESP courses (and vice versa); provides guidance to students about the enrollment process for other NU schools.
• Responsible for offboarding and graduation activities, including auditing degree and certificate requirements, communicating status with Registrar, requesting diplomas, generating certificates, compiling graduation/certification materials for events marking program completion. Serves on SESP Convocation (i.e. graduation) committee to aid with proofing documentation, compiling student data, communicating to graduating students, and staffing Convocation. Adjusts all documentation, office systems, and student records to reflect graduation status.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 3 years' career counseling/advising in higher education or 3 years' of industry experience; or other relevant experience required;
• OR Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or JD or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 2 years' career counseling/advising in higher education or 2 years' of industry experience; or other relevant experience required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferred;
• A significant number of students will be pursuing teacher licensure or will be practicing teachers. Experience working in K12 schools, with a background in state licensure requirements, is preferred.

Target hiring range for this position will be $70,000 - $75,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

#LI-AS1