Director of Academic Advising

Mission and Commitment

Taylor's mission is to develop servant-leaders marked with a passion to minister Christ’s redemptive love, grace, and truth to a world in need.  As a community, Taylor faculty, staff, and students commit to living out Christ’s love and truth in the here and now. We worship together, serve one another, and grow in faith as we learn in the classroom, on the field, at chapel, and anywhere else we’re doing Life Together.

Position Summary

The Director of Advising provides strategic leadership for Taylor University’s academic advising philosophy, structure, and practices in support of the institution’s mission and commitment to holistic student formation. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing a comprehensive advising model that promotes student success, persistence, timely degree completion, and vocational discernment across the undergraduate experience. This includes providing training and serving as a resource for faculty advisors. The Director works alongside the Registrar’s Office in registering new and transfer students, and with the Director of ESL in registering international students.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position is primarily responsible to:

• Testify to personal experience of salvation in Jesus Christ, affirm belief in the University’s Statement of Faith, abide by and practice our Life Together Covenant, and both personally agree with and support the Foundational Documents of Taylor University.
• Provide vision, leadership, and oversight to implement a comprehensive, holistic academic advising model that supports student success, with responsibility of the development, implementation, and ongoing assessment of advising practices, policies, tools, and training in support of the University’s mission.
• Advise pre-majors (undeclared majors) and act as a secondary advisor for all undergraduate students, with particular attention to navigating scheduling conflicts and complex academic concerns, including course selection, interest and skill exploration, four-year planning, and referral to appropriate campus resources.
• Oversee and maintain the assignment of advisors, in particular for students who change majors.
• Register new and transfer students in conjunction with the Registrar’s Office and register international students in consultation with the Director of TESOL and ESL.
• Support faculty advisors by providing training, serving as a resource, and creating documentation to assist faculty advisors.
• Serve as a key contributor to new and transfer student registration processes, including international students, partnering with academic departments and offices to ensure a smooth and personalized transition for students.
• Maintain strong collaborative relationships with the Registrar’s Office, Academic Leadership Team, and Department Chairs to ensure alignment between advising, curriculum, policy, and degree audit processes.
• Administer advising-related academic policies, exercising professional judgment within established guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field (e.g., higher education, student affairs, counseling, educational leadership, or a related field)
• 3-5 years of experience in academic advising, student success, or a related academic support function; familiarity with advising undergraduate students
• Evidence of leadership experience or potential, and demonstrated experience coordinating programs or initiatives and working collaboratively with a variety of organizational constituents to accomplish objectives and achieve outcomes

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent understanding of academic programs and policies
• Service oriented philosophy
• Problem solving skills
• Verbal and written communication and listening skills
• Computer skills, including Degree Audit System, BANNER, Microsoft Word and Excel
• Organizational skills
• Training skills
• Ability to work with students, faculty, staff, and parents.