ACADEMIC ADVISOR, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, Academic Services

Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development (Wheelock) is a top-ranked college that focuses on cross-disciplinary research, experiential learning, and community engagement. We seek to empower our students, faculty, and staff to reshape the systems that impact learning and human development, more firmly centering them in justice, diversity, and belonging. To learn more about our college, visit www.bu.edu/wheelock.

Boston University (BU) is an international, comprehensive, private research university, committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world. In our undergraduate Schools and Colleges, students gain depth of knowledge in their chosen major. Through the BU Hub, our university-wide general education curriculum, students follow their interests as they gain breadth of knowledge and essential skills. Inside and outside the classroom, our students engage in a vast array of activities such as cutting-edge research, artistic production, innovation and entrepreneurship, experiential learning, and global exploration.

BU is launching a significant expansion of undergraduate advising by increasing the number of professional academic advisors, each of whom will work with a caseload of approximately 200 students in one of our undergraduate schools or colleges. Our advisors engage in holistic academic advising that supports exploration and helps students realize academic, career and life goals.

The Professional Academic Advisor for Undergraduate Students at Wheelock provides comprehensive academic advising to undergraduate students. The advisor plays a key role in supporting student success, guiding students through academic planning, course selection, and career development, while promoting a positive and inclusive educational experience. This individual will work closely with faculty, staff, and students to foster academic achievement, professional growth, and personal development.

This is a full-time 40 hour per week position with access to the University's comprehensive staff benefits plan. The Academic Advisor will maintain a 4/1 hybrid work modality and will have a dedicated work space at Boston University's Charles River Campus. 

Responsibilities:

Academic advisors provide holistic academic advising, share information about degree requirements, support student services in their school or college, and contribute to student success efforts. In general, advisors are responsible for assisting students with course selection, monitoring student performance, connecting them with appropriate academic support or enrichment opportunities, and maintaining advising records in accordance with University and legal regulations. Advisors also provide guidance on academic policies and procedures and connect students with relevant campus resources.

Essential Functions:

• Holistic Academic Advising (80%) Each academic advisor works with a caseload of approximately 200 undergraduate students, helping their advisees craft educational plans based on their aspirations, interests, and values. To support students in achieving their goals, advisors encourage academic exploration and engagement in experiential learning opportunities such as internships, research, and study abroad. Advisors regularly provide guidance on degree requirements and help students understand the purpose of those requirements. Advisors also explain University and School/College academic policies and procedures. Advisors perform outreach and track student engagement to assure that students utilize academic advising and other relevant resources on campus. As part of their role, academic advisors will need to develop expertise using MyBU, the University's Student Information System. 
• Student Services (10%) Academic advisors are involved in various student services activities. Depending on their school/college and the time of year, advisors may assist with incoming student orientation, support student groups or organizations, plan community events, visit with prospective students (and their families), or staff commencement activities. Advisors may also lead first-year success seminars that introduce students to campus resources, build community, and promote habits of success.
• University and School/College Service (5%) Academic advisors may serve the larger community through various University and School/College committees. They may participate in advisor hiring, provide support to the advising community, or engage in other service activities. Advisors will engage in regular professional development and extended training opportunities.
• Other Duties as Assigned (5%) Other Duties related to student success, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and 1-2 years relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong written and oral communication abilities
• Good judgment and the ability to handle confidential materials with discretion
• A collaborative work approach and the ability to work well with students, faculty, and staff with diverse identities and from a range of backgrounds
• Highly organized and attentive to detail
• Ability to use systems such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Zoom in the work environment and willingness to learn new software systems.

Additional Details: Cover letter and resume required.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters while working at Boston University is considered confidential. Employees must adhere to University and departmental policies, guidelines and procedures; and all applicable laws and regulations at all times. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.