"Academic Advisor, Pre-Law and Legal Studies"

Academic Advisor, Pre-Law and Legal Studies

Working Title: Academic Advisor, Pre-Law and Legal Studies

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Arts and Letters

Department: 100139 - Dean - College of Arts and Letters

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

The College of Arts and Letters (CAL) welcomes applicants for the position of Academic and Pre-Professional Advisor for the Pre-Law program and the Legal Studies minor. The Academic Advisor is tasked with providing quality advising designed to help 800+ undergraduate Pre-Law and/or Legal Studies students from all majors make informed decisions in pursuit of their academic and professional goals. The advisor offers pre-professional support to students considering whether to pursue law school/a legal career and navigating the application process. They also advise the 200+ Legal Studies minors about academic requirements and help administer the minor. In consultation with the program coordinator, the advisor participates in recruitment, orientation, and programming efforts and manages outreach and engagement with alumni and external partners. The position is a 12-month Administrative and Professional Faculty appointment beginning July 1, 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist students and alumni with law school exploration, decision making, self-assessment, and application process and management.
• Provide individual guidance to students, including advising on resumes, personal statements, and other professional materials.
• Administer the Legal Studies minor and help students identify academic goals and navigate academic policies, degree requirements, and course selection.
• Manage advising-specific administrative tasks and monitor progress of student caseload through accurate, confidential records using advising software [CRM].
• Support Pre-Law and Legal Studies coordinator with orientation, recruitment, and student success initiatives (such as programming, alumni networking, and preparation for law school).
• Help develop and maintain communication strategies, written materials, and digital resources, including a pre-law resource site on Canvas.
• Develop strong relationships with faculty, staff, and potential employers; build and maintain relationships with alumni.
• Refer students to specialized resources as needed.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree
• Comfort with technology and learning multiple information systems.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (writing, oral, listening), and ability to relate meaningfully with undergraduates.
• Strong public-speaking skills and demonstrated competence delivering presentations.
• Strong attention to detail combined with appreciation for the big picture.
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and under supervision.
• Excellent skills in time management and organization.
• Strong work ethic and critical-thinking, problem-solving, and judgement skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to contributing to a supportive, welcoming environment.
• Ability to process and maintain confidential information with professionalism.

Preferred:

• Master's degree
• Academic advising experience working in higher education and/or legal field.
• Experience with learning, interpreting, and articulating complex academic requirements, procedures, and policies, including FERPA.
• Familiarity with national trends and best practices in academic - especially pre-professional - advising and professional-school application processes.

Beginning Review Date: 03/27/2026

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.jmu.edu/jobs/academic-advisor-pre-law-and-legal-studies-harrisonburg-virginia-united-states