"Academic Advisor I"

Job Details

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs

Department: Academic Advising and Student Services

Overview

The VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs invites applications for an Academic Advisor 1. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Student Services, this position will provide guidance to undergraduate students on academic programs and university procedures and documents related to completing their undergraduate education; advise undergraduate students and partner with faculty from admission through graduation to ensure academic success; and collaborate with various university academic units to provide support to and recruit undergraduate students. This position will identify and explore educational and career goals for the undergraduate population, assist with experiential learning and career preparation activities, and with student resources for professional development and exploration (including the Student Success Newsletter).

The Wilder School’s mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.
• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 36 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,400 students and more than 12,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu.

Primary Purpose of Unit

The Academic Advising and Student Services unit at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs provides comprehensive advising that supports undergraduate and graduate students in meeting their educational, professional, and personal goals. The unit delivers high-quality, student-centered guidance that promotes timely degree completion, strengthens retention and graduation rates, and encourages active engagement in the Wilder School community. Advisors within the unit work closely with faculty, staff, and campus partners to ensure students receive accurate information, proactive outreach, and targeted support that address academic progress, career development, and overall well-being.

Position Summary

The Academic Advisor provides direct, comprehensive advising services to a caseload of approximately 250 students in the Wilder School. The position guides students through academic planning, degree requirements, and university policies while offering personalized support to promote retention, graduation, and post-graduate success. The advisor engages in proactive outreach, assists with complex academic processes, coordinates and supports student success programming, and represents the Wilder School in university-wide advising initiatives. This role requires a high level of organization, critical thinking, and collaboration with faculty, staff, and campus partners to ensure students receive timely, accurate, and supportive guidance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Academic Advising and Student Support – 45 %

• Manage a caseload of approximately 250 students, meeting at least once per semester.
• Offer 30 half-hour appointments weekly and 2 hours of drop-ins, increasing to 4–10 hours during peak periods (add/drop, withdrawal deadlines, registration).
• Respond to student emails within 24 hours, averaging 10–50+ daily (2–4 hours crafting responses).
• Conduct onboarding appointments for new students, review transfer credits, create first-semester schedules, and connect students to resources.
• Guide students through change-of-major/minor processes and submit forms when appropriate.
• Provide guidance on financial aid appeals, including SAP appeal letters, and refer complex cases to Financial Aid.
• Address early alerts and progress reports with timely outreach and intervention.
• Conduct midterm outreach to students earning D/F grades, offering strategies for improvement.
• Provide crisis intervention, including counseling referrals and student of concern submissions.
• Write letters of recommendation and process background check verifications.
• Complete military certification documentation, including Requests for Certification and ROTC 104R degree plans.

Retention, Outreach, and Student Engagement – 20%

• Collaborate with advising, dean’s office, and central advising on fall and spring retention outreach plans.
• Contact unregistered students via phone, text, and email from registration through add/drop, documenting outreach in retention databases.
• Advocate for students with financial barriers by connecting them to Wilder School or VCU retention funds.
• Track and respond to early alert reports and academic performance concerns.
• Maintain accurate records of outreach, advising notes, and academic plans.

Graduation, Appeals, and Academic Processes – 20%

• Process graduation applications and conduct preliminary reviews for approximately 100 graduating students per semester.
• Monitor and resolve graduation issues, including missing credits, transfer credits, historical repeats, and course substitutions.
• Apply creative problem-solving to support on-time graduation through substitutions, CLEP credits, or program adjustments.
• Submit substitution/waiver forms, consult with the Assistant Director and department chairs for complex cases, and verify DegreeWorks accuracy.
• Meet with students for academic appeals, assist with documentation and letter writing, and coordinate with faculty.
• Consult with the Director of Academic Advising on appeals for ARAC committee review.

Programming, Events, and Recruitment Support – 10%

• Assist in planning, promotion, and execution of Wilder School student success programming, including Weeks of Welcome, Sophomore Transition events, Summer Scholars, Majors Fair, and Free Food Friday with the Dean.
• Participate in campus-wide events such as resource fairs, internal orientations, Preview Day, Open Houses, and commencement.
• Support OSS events, such as Capitol Semester interviews and employer showcases.
• Assist with New Student Orientation and Connect With Your College sessions, including weekly presentations and parent/supporter breakfasts.

Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

• Perform additional duties as assigned to support Student Services and Academic Advising, the mission of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, and more broadly, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in counseling, student personnel, higher education administration, or related field, or equivalent training and/or expertise.
• Ability to support a faculty, staff, and student experience and environment that includes individuals with varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences at VCU.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google's cloud collaboration services.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively as well as autonomously with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling, student personnel, higher education administration, or related field.
• Professional experience in a college or university setting.
• Familiarity with the mission of an urban-research university and experience working with a broad and varied student population.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve.
• Understanding of student development theory.
• Experience making personal contact with students via phone and use of various technology platforms to establish relationships and encourage students to utilize services.
• Experience working in a high-volume office that offers exceptional customer service while maintaining positive interpersonal skills.

Application Process/Additional Information

Applications must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, research statement, one example of scholarship or writing, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning November 14, 2025.

Salary Range: $51,500 to $53,100

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Contact Name: Catherine Crump, Search Chair

Contact Email: crumpc4@vcu.edu