(Hybrid) Student Success Advisor - Department of Biology

(Hybrid) Student Success Advisor - Department of Biology

Company:
West Virginia University

Job Location:

Category:
Academic Advising

Type:
Full-Time

Description

The Department of Biology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Student Success Advisor.

About the Opportunity

This position will work effectively with the Chair, Office Administrator, Student Success Coordinator, Faculty and Staff, and other academic advisors to recruit, advise, and retain undergraduate students within the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Department of biology. The Student Success Advisor will be responsible for ensuring that students are equipped with enough information to matriculate through the higher education system in general and the department. This position will aid in the total development of students in Biology and Pre-medical Biology majors to higher education system in general and the department.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Advising Responsibilities

• Provide advising and support to assigned students as the "advisor of contact", paying particular attention to those who are at risk in their academic progress.
• Provide timely and effective academic advice to assist students with selecting, matriculating to, and completing baccalaureate and professional degrees.
• Document all interactions with students in Degree Works.
• Coordinate with Career Services and central student services to assist students in identifying career pathways and building a professional profile for eventual placement.
• Develop and prepare a four- or five-year academic plan for each advisee and records plan in the degree audit system (i.e. DegreeWorks). Track and monitor persistence and completion in accordance with academic plan and revise when necessary.
• Coordinate communications for those students who are on probation.
• Employ a combination of appreciative, developmental, intrusive, and prescriptive academic advising to assist students in persistence and completion of degree.
• Apply the WVU Undergraduate Catalog College policies and procedures for the purpose of assisting students matriculating to degree programs, academic majors and academic minors.
• Use student information systems (i.e. Banner and Navigate) to track and monitor academic history and in-progress work.
• Conduct outreach through Navigate to students who are identified as at-risk during early alert or midterm grade reporting processes and makes referrals to academic, career, and other support services.
• Provide guidance to students submitting appeals for academic and federal financial aid suspensions, which includes creating an academic success plan in Degree Works.
• Assist students with the transient approval process by reviewing course equivalencies and matching WVU courses with courses offered by the transient institution.
• Work with student information systems such as STAR/BANNER, Navigate and Degree Works.
• Work to meet with incoming first-time freshmen and first-time transfer students in Biology and Pre-Medical Biology during NSO in January and in the summer.
• Perform 90 credit checks every semester for all majors, document result in Degree Works and communicate those results to students.
• This advisor supports up to 275 students during the academic year.

Programming, Research and Development, Assessment and Retention

• Instruct 1-3 sections of BIOL 191, First-Year Seminar.
• Participate in events sponsored by the unit, which may include on campus recruiting, prospective student tours, new student orientation, academic academies, and commencement.
• Attend and assist with a limited number of weekend recruitment events.
• Assess student advising concerns and make referrals to other University representatives/units.
• Reach out to university colleges and departments on advising issues and training.
• Serve on committees for revising policies and procedures that directly affect academic advising.

Data Management

• In coordination with the Senior Advisor, track attendance and student records, providing analysis of NSO student metrics at the request of the Chair of Biology, and/or the ECAS Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
• Gather statistical information and assist in undergraduate report preparation.
• Review GPAs each semester and establish class standing. Verify Biology requirements are completed.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• MA or MS in Biology, Education, or closely related field.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience involving:
  • Student advising
  • Academic or student support services
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to learn STAR/BANNER system and ability to use it on a daily basis
• Ability to present academic programs to large groups and make recommendations regarding course work and career planning
• Demonstrated ability to measure and assess student's academic needs
• Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in resolving conflict
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Demonstrated program development skills
• Demonstrated ability to speak in front of large groups and present materials
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Demonstrated ability to deal with confidential matters in a tactful, diplomatic manner
• Ability to analyze and process information into report format
• Demonstrated ability to organize, set priorities, and complete projects effectively

Requirements

• Resume

About WVU

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.

Job Posting: Apr 22, 2026

Posting Classification: Non-Classified

Exemption Status: Exempt

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Schedule: Full-time