Academic Advisor & Retention Specialist - Office of Academic Services - Penn Engineering

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Academic Advisor & Retention Specialist - Office of Academic Services - Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title

Coordinator B

Job Description Summary

Penn Engineering’s world-acclaimed faculty, state-of-the-art research laboratories and highly interdisciplinary curricula offer an experience that is unparalleled. Innovation and technology drive every program and transform the fundamentals of what future engineers are learning. http://www.seas.upenn.edu/

The Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist serves as a key resource for undergraduate students in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, providing academic guidance, support, and advocacy. Reporting to the Director of Student Success and Advising in the Office of Academic Services (OAS), the advisor collaborates with faculty, staff, and campus partners to foster student success and engagement. The role includes advising on academic policies, supporting students experiencing academic difficulty, coordinating transfer processes, and facilitating student success initiatives. The advisor is responsible for maintaining accurate advising records, contributing to understanding and implementing retention efforts, and developing initiatives that enhance the undergraduate experience.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Academic Advising

• Provide academic advising to undergraduate engineering students, serving as the OAS liaison to assigned academic departments (e.g., CIS, ESE) and referring to campus resources as appropriate.

• Identify and support students experiencing academic challenges, collaborating with faculty and relevant offices.

• Monitor students on academic probation or warning, offering intervention strategies and follow-up.

• Attend and contribute to the weekly Petitions Committee and provide timely reports to the Academic Performance Committee each semester.

​Student Retention and Engagemen