Academic Advisor (two positions)

Position Summary

: Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students.

Washburn has a student body of over 5, undergraduate, graduate, and law students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible.

The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.

Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum.

We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance.

Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation.

In 4, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.

Washburn University is committed to a model of Intrusive Academic Advising to promote student success.

The Academic Advisor advises students concerning an appropriate academic schedule, choice of major, and number of hours that need to be taken.

Contact occurs on an individual and/or group basis, or virtually, or by correspondence.

The Advisor will advise students based on degree or disciplinary interest, academic pathway, and Unit needs to support student goals.

Essential Functions:
• Meets with current, prospective, transfer, returning, and at-risk (i.e., conditional, probationary) students and/or their parents to provide academic advising relative to their academic program or pathway, holistic student development, course scheduling, and other areas of educational counseling.


• Meets with students who are applying for the Fresh Start program to advise them of necessary procedures and activities to be considered for enrollment at Washburn.


• Serves an active role in the First-Year Experience (FYE) program, advising students as part of a teaching team and promoting opportunities related to the FYE program that support and facilitate student success.
• Teaches one-shot advising sessions and academic workshops, focused on helping students adapt to the college experience and discover academic success at Washburn.
• Develops and delivers advising presentations to students, faculty, and staff to educate and inform them about various programs, policies, and related advising issues.


• Pursues professional development opportunities focused on improving academic advising to enhance knowledge and expand effectiveness as an advisor and member of the CSSR staff.


• Advisors are active members of internal Unit teams, CSSR, and University Committees.
• Effectively uses the Navigate Student Success Software to manage a caseload of students, proactive outreach and follow up on performance concerns, and refer students to appropriate resources.
• Performs additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree.


• Experience working with higher education student personnel or working directly with post-secondary students to promote student success.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills.


• Ability to work successfully independently and effectively in a collaborative, team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with individuals from all backgrounds who may possess a broad range of academic skills and goals.

Physical Requirements:
• Some evenings and/or weekends will require the advisor’s participation.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Master's degree.
• Experience in academic advising and/or academic counseling.
• Bilingual.

Exempt, Full-time, Mon-Fri,
Background Check Required