Academic Advisor

Job Summary

Purdue University is seeking multiple individuals for the position of Academic Advisor on the West Lafayette campus Academic Advisors promote an inclusive environment that challenges and supports students by providing meaningful opportunities for student learning, development, and integration of curricular and co-curricular experiences. Advisors are dedicated to empowering students to be active responsible learners while guiding students to make well-informed decisions that lead to the achievement of students’ educational, career, and life goals. 

What advisors do:
Create an open, respectful, and inclusive environment by utilizing an equity-minded, student-centered practice that emphasizes mutual respect, dignity, self-awareness, and authenticity. Center the student in an asset framed approach where advising differentiates educational guidance to meet students where they are and acknowledges the critical value of each student’s unique social capital. Empower students to be active responsible learners and assist them in making well-informed decisions. Guide students in course selection and the process for registering for courses. Identify campus activities, and programs opportunities related to students' major. Maintain a consistent pattern of contact and communications with assigned students. Use data to provide timely outreach to students on their academic progress and conduct audits on student’s degree progress. Assess when a student’s situation requires referral to campus resources. Maintain and ensure confidentiality of student records. Teach students about the university’s structure, systems, policies, and practices. 

Interviews could include meetings with multiple departments. The advisors hired through this search will join as a cohort to make the transition a positive experience and allow new staff to immediately join a community of professional colleagues. This is an entry level position with a starting salary of $46,000/year commensurate with education and experience.

Departments and About Us:

Daniels School of Business

Purdue University's new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business serves approximately 3,500 undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Accounting, Business Analytics and Information Management, Economics, Finance, General Management, Integrated Business and Engineering, Marketing, and Supply Chain and Operations Management. The Daniels School of Business’ Undergraduate Advising office is a team 17 professional staff members; each contributing to our mission to facilitate students’ success in designing and completing the plan of study that optimizes every student’s educational and professional goals.  

College of Engineering

The College of Engineering at Purdue University is a dynamic and exciting environment where student services professionals work to help students become the most impactful engineers they can be – embracing values of academic achievement, respect, well-being, and belonginess among students, staff, and faculty. The College of Engineering serves almost 11,000 undergraduates across 13 academic units, including 7 top 10 programs in the nation and the nearly 60 Academic Advisors are an integral part of the success of the College. The successful candidate will work directly with the Undergraduate Education team and Director of Academic Advising while embedded in a specific engineering discipline.

Exploratory Studies

Exploratory Studies allows students up to four semesters to explore options and interests before selecting a major.  Advisors give guidance along the way, create custom schedules to help students explore majors of interests, equip students to make informed decisions, and teach a required Academic and Career Planning course.

College of Pharmacy

The Purdue College of Pharmacy is unrivaled. We train elite pharmacy leaders who improve lives worldwide in rewarding, top paying healthcare careers. The College of Pharmacy Academic Advisors are part of the Office of Student Services team serving two majors (the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and the professional Doctorate of Pharmacy). In addition to serving as an Academic Advisor in the College of Pharmacy, you will be part of recruitment & retention initiatives, engagement & enrichment activities, and students’ academic & co-curricular journey. Due to the responsibilities of our office and staff, we are able to provide a hybrid work environment when students are away from campus (i.e. October Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, Summer). 

Polytechnic Institute

The faculty, staff and students of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute strive to embrace the connection of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences and thoughts as we develop an environment that helps each of us achieve our most creative and innovative ideas and solutions. We dedicate ourselves to the hard work that must be done to improve and expand our equitable and inclusive practices as we make the Polytechnic Institute a college where everyone feels welcomed and respected, and as we build a community where excellence and achievement are attainable by all.

College of Science

The College of Science encompasses the physical sciences, life sciences, computational sciences, mathematics, and data science, valuing the exploration of ideas leading to scientific discovery and innovation and the faculty and students who continuously push the limits of science. This value is evident in our investment in our undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development.

What We're Looking For:

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in a field relevant to the position
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to:
  • collaborate with faculty, staff, current and prospective students, parents, and families
  • problem solve and utilize campus resources for individuals or groups
  • willingness to work in a changing environment
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred:

• Undergraduate student development and recruitment
• Programs and majors at Purdue University
• Field related to major advised

Additional Information:

• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check is required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period
• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply
• Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days

Benefits of being an advisor at Purdue:

• The Advisor Certification Program is a centralized professional development opportunity that allows new advisors to develop their foundational skills in a cohort with other new advisors. Advisors receive real-time feedback and training, including mentoring experience. 
• Inclusive Advising is a unique learning experience for academic advisors that is grounded in the specific voices and experiences of Purdue students and advisors. Inclusive Advising learning opportunities are cohort-based and designed to encourage learning and intentional reflection. Inclusive advising centers the student in an asset-framed approach where the advisor differentiates educational guidance to meet students where they are and acknowledges the critical value of each student’s unique social capital.
• Purdue has an institutional commitment to an advising ratio of 225:1, providing one of the lowest advising caseloads in the country. 
• PACADA, The Purdue Academic Advising Association, is the longest-standing allied membership in NACADA, with a proud tradition of 36 years of professional development support and community among Purdue advisors.