"Academic Advisor"

The Program in Exploratory Studies encourages applications for the Academic Advisor position! This role is responsible for building relationships with students and fostering success by providing multidisciplinary academic and developmental advising for exploratory undergraduates with interests across all colleges and schools. This position is part of a collaborative team of academic advisors in the Program in Exploratory Studies (PES). This first-year advising role works with specific student populations to empower and support them in exploration and decision-making toward their choice of a major and an outline of goals for their collegiate career at CU-Boulder and beyond.

The Academic Advisor will work with the following populations:

• Current and admitted students in the Program in Exploratory Studies.
• Students who were not admitted to their college of choice.
• Prospective students, international students, and transfer students.
• Students who find themselves between colleges or in need of campus-wide exploration.

The Academic Advisor position focuses on exploration, discovery, and supportive connection with students, which requires a specialized knowledge base across many disciplines as well as a keen understanding of related functional areas. Other important aspects of this role include liaising with individuals and departments across campus, a commitment to professional growth and development, and a strong dedication to team collaboration and innovation.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Program in Exploratory Studies (PES) provides the resources and guidance to help students discover and shape their academic and career journey. PES is designed to help students successfully transfer into their college of choice. We help students who are unsure of what they want to do, decide on a path and help them explore their options. This is a great opportunity for students to have the room to explore majors and find their interests before settling on a major.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Student Support:

• Individual and small group work with students (via scheduled appointments, walk-ins, phone and email interactions) and related administrative duties; student traffic will vary over the course of the year so included in this role is proactive outreach and engagement with students who have not been in for an appointment and/or are in academic difficulty. Advisors will follow all advising protocols and use campus advising tools such as Buff Portal Advising, and will maintain a multidisciplinary knowledge base.
• Advisors will: Assist students in planning for and making informed decisions about a choice of major, intended college outcomes, and potential career or graduate school direction. Help students assess their interests, values, and academic skills. Teach students how to navigate the systems, academic processes, and policies at CU-Boulder. Work with students to personalize their academic path, including offering co-curricular guidance that complements their goals and leads them in regular long-term planning. Advisors also offer availability to students’ overall support network, including parents. In addition to one-on-one interactions, the individual in this position will work with students in group settings via workshops and presentations. Opportunities to engage students in for-credit courses such as FYXP 1500: Student Success Seminar and FYXP 1000: Academic Exploration & Critical Decision Making are possible based on the needs of the unit.

Strategic Planning & Student Success Initiatives:

• Advisors will demonstrate adaptability in response to the evolving needs of our unit and the diverse student population we serve. This includes active participation in strategic planning and collaborative initiatives within the PES team and the broader University of Colorado Boulder community. Advisors are expected to engage in regular team meetings, professional development opportunities, and constructive feedback processes. Flexibility and a willingness to contribute to projects, committees, and task forces are critical. In addition, each advisor will serve as the primary liaison to a designated group of campus partners, ensuring consistent communication and the effective exchange of relevant information between units throughout the year. Advisors will proactively cultivate expertise in standard methodologies related to student transition, retention, and academic advising. They will be expected to share and implement these practices to support continuous improvement in student success initiatives.

Professional Development:

• Professional development, including but not limited to relevant conferences, mentoring opportunities, coursework, workshops, and research.

What You Should Know

This role offers a hybrid work schedule.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range for this full-time position is $48,960 - $55,000.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be driven. Be supported. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Completed Bachelor's Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

What You Will Need

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Empowerment
• Inclusivity
• Innovation
• Integrity
• Leadership
• Positive and Professional Approach
• Student-centered
• Interpersonal Skills

What We Would Like You to Have

• Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of professional, related experience; OR a completed Master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, or related field and one (1) year of professional, related experience working with students outside the classroom.
• Experience managing student success initiatives in a higher education setting.
• Classroom teaching experience.
• Experience working with students on the CU Boulder campus and familiarity with CU Boulder majors, minors, and certificate programs and undergraduate policies and processes.
• Experience handling parent concerns.
• Experience with student success initiatives.
• Experience applying student development theory.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
3. A one-page essay that addresses the following statement: "Exploratory academic advising requires advisors to build relationships with students to learn about their lived experiences, strengths and passions, and aspirations for their future. Academic Advisors must be able to empathize with students as they navigate their unique journeys at the University of Colorado Boulder. Please describe what empathy means to you and how you would use empathy to support student success in the Program in Exploratory Studies."

We may request references at a later time. Please apply by September 12, 2025 for consideration. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs. In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu