- For Academic Advisor 9702AA: BA/BS degree plus at least two years of relevant experience, or master's degree.
- For Academic Advisor 9703AA: BA/BS degree plus at least four years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least two years of relevant experience.
- Previous academic advising experience
- Evidence of effective relationship-building, team-building, and oral/written communication skills -Ability to effectively communicate across race, class, and culture
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering student learning and applying organizational/student development theory to work with students
- Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities of working with STEM students
Academic Advisor
College of Biological Sciences
Job Code: 9702AA or 9703AA
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, LGBTQIA+ and gender nonconforming folks, people with disabilities, and members of other historically minoritized communities/groups are highly encouraged to apply.
The cornerstone of academic advising in CBS is the ability to build authentic relationships with individuals with varied backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. Advisors utilize relationships to holistically support and guide students throughout their undergrad career.
Academic Advising (65%-70%, depending on level)
- Through appointments, group advising, and electronic communications, guide students through the process of formulating personalized educational plans and strategies for academic success that are reflective of their unique set of values, strengths, interests, and identities
- Strategically refer to campus resources, including how they contribute to retention and an outstanding student experience
- Serve as a cultural navigator of the system of higher education and refer students to specific campus resources
- Review student progress reports at key academic markers, such as probation, degree application, or major declaration to coach for student success
- Maintain accurate records about student interactions in order to best support the student as they navigate campus, and to provide informed, nuanced student support
- Design and implement student development activities such as new student orientation, academic progress review, academic advising curriculum, and transfer student advising
- Serve as a liaison to an academic department
CBS Student Services Collaborations, Professional Development & Service (15%)
- Participate in college-wide functions and collaborate with other Student Services units, such as career development and student engagement, to provide holistic student support across the undergraduate experience
- Engage in professional development and service activities related to the advising and student services profession
- Commitment to ongoing social justice and racial equity work in order to identify, challenge, and remove barriers to access at the individual, community, and system level
For more information about working in CBS Student Services, visit:
Office Overview
The College of Biological Sciences is a college of approximately 2200 undergraduate students pursuing degrees in the life sciences at the University of Minnesota. The college offers seven majors and eight minors to prepare students to solve biological problems facing our world.
CBS Student Services is a team of 19 professional staff members; each contributing to the shared responsibility of advancing the mission and vision of the college. These staff serve students in three functional areas: academic advising, career coaching, and student engagement. The person in this role will join a team of eight others focused on academic advising, and will have a student caseload of about 275 undergraduate students. This role reports to the Assistant Director for Academic Advising.
To be fully considered for this position, please answer the following questions in a separate Word document/PDF and include it with your resume (this is in lieu of a cover letter):
- Why are you interested in academic advising and how was your previous experience prepared you for this position?
- Tell us about your approach when working with goal-oriented students.
- How would you create an inclusive advising space when meeting 1:1 with students?
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).