Academic Advisor- Undergraduate

Concordia is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and in the world.

Position Summary

The Academic Advisor supports undergraduate students from matriculation through graduation by providing clear, accurate, and student-centered academic advising. This role helps students understand degree requirements, navigate university policies and procedures, make informed academic decisions, and remain on track toward timely degree completion.

The advisor serves as an educator, guide, and partner in the student experience, helping students connect their academic choices, co-curricular involvement, and vocational interests with their broader educational and professional goals. Through this work, the advisor contributes to student persistence, retention, and graduation.

This position is housed in the Office of Undergraduate Advising, reports to the Director of Undergraduate Advising, and collaborates closely with faculty, program directors, and staff within an assigned academic school. The advisor manages a caseload of approximately 300 undergraduate students spanning the first year through senior year. The advisor is an active partner in achieving 80%+ university retention and 70%+ 6-year graduation rates.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

 

Academic Advising and Student Support

The Academic Advisor:

• Provides academic advising to students in person, by phone, and through virtual platforms such as Zoom.
• Maintains current knowledge of academic policies, procedures, curriculum requirements, and university resources.
• Assists students with course planning, registration, and interpretation of degree requirements.
• Develops individualized academic plans using Student Educational Plans, the academic catalog, and other advising tools.
• Supports new student onboarding through course registration and placement-testing processes.
• Communicates regularly with assigned students through email, phone, text, and scheduled meetings.
• Maintains timely responsiveness to student questions and concerns, generally within 24 hours or within 48 hours during peak periods.
• Documents advising interactions and recommendations in Navigate.
• Meets with each assigned advisee at least annually.
• Guides students through academic decisions such as major and minor changes, individualized majors, and related planning processes.
• Encourages students to take ownership of their educational experience and make thoughtful, informed decisions.
• Refers students to appropriate campus resources when additional support is needed, including financial aid, student employment, and academic support services.
• Identifies and promotes opportunities for involvement in campus programs and activities related to students' academic interests.
• Monitors student progress toward graduation and communicates important milestones and benchmarks.
• Collaborates with academic departments regarding course availability and planning.
• Facilitates exit interviews for students considering withdrawal from the university.
• Maintains confidentiality of student information in accordance with institutional policy and FERPA regulations

Academic Coaching and Risk Intervention

The Academic Advisor:

• Maintains strong responsiveness to the Navigate Alert System.
• Facilitates student success check-in meetings in response to alerts or emerging concerns.
• Connects students in academic jeopardy with appropriate support services and intervention resources.
• Helps students strengthen personal responsibility, resilience, and confidence in their academic progress.

Vocational and Educational Exploration

The Academic Advisor:

• Assists students in exploring their interests, aptitudes, abilities, and academic goals.
• Uses available inventories and advising tools to support academic and vocational exploration.
• Helps students connect academic planning with experiential learning and future opportunities.
• Collaborates with faculty and campus partners to support students' broader development and sense of purpose.