The Academic Advising Associate serves as key support to undergraduate students of Seaver College, providing guidance and resources to ensure academic success and personal development. The Academic Advisor will assist students with course planning, academic concerns, and graduation progress. This position will work closely with students, faculty, staff (particularly at the Student Success Center), and administration to deliver effective advising services that will help students achieve their academic goals. The Advisor will work with students across several academic programs, with a primary focus on servicing a burgeoning group of first generation students as they navigate their academic journey.

Duties

• Advising and Academic Support:
  • Provide one-on-one academic advising to undergraduate students, assisting with course selection, major/minor exploration, and academic progress.
  • Assist students in creating and maintaining academic plans that align with their scholastic goals through the Navigate Academic Planner platform.
  • Offer guidance on navigating academic challenges including probation, course withdrawals, and grade disputes.
  • Effectively communicate and uphold critical university policies concerning academic procedures, student account processes, and registration timelines.
  • Help the OneStop front-line team by providing in-person support to student walk-ins during peak periods and as needed. This includes advising high volumes of students on registration discrepancies or course inquiries in a seamless, efficient, and professional manner. 
  • Assist with the OneStop inbox during peak periods in answering questions related to Academic Advising. 
• Administrative Duties:
  • Accurately maintain and file student records via the University's internal storage portal, Etrieve. This includes all educational records, from advising notes to action plans, and other important documents.
  • Monitor students' academic progress through degree audit reviews and graduation approvals.
  • Support administrative processes such as course registration, prerequisite inquiries, and transfer credit concerns.
  • Assist in clearing students for graduation by verifying academic records, confirming students have met their requirements, and completing necessary paperwork.
  • Aid the Seaver Dean's Office and Registrar's staff in the Spring commencement ceremony, both through processing last minute graduation approvals and distributing honor cords the morning of the event.
  • Complete all necessary tasks in a prompt manner, ensuring deadlines are met. 
• Collaboration and Outreach:
  • Collaborate with various campus departments to ensure students have access to appropriate academic and support resources.
  • Coordinate with Seaver's Student Success Center and the First Wave Program in their efforts to advise, assist, and mentor first generation students.
  • Attend and co-plan 3-4 advising events per year with the Student Success Center aimed at assisting first generation students.
  • Participate in bi-weekly First Wave Ambassador meetings alongside the Student Success Center.
  • Contribute to New Student Orientation programs, workshops, and advising-related events that pertain to the first generation student population.
  • Partner with the Office of Admission to provide academic student support for new students, ensuring they transition smoothly into their academic journey. 
• Program Development, Research, and Assessment:
  • Assist in the creation of workshops, resources, and programs aimed at enhancing student success, particularly for our growing first generation population.
  • Evaluate and research the effectiveness of advising practices and student support programs for our first generation students, keeping an eye on the processes and trends implemented by peer institutions and/or the higher education sector. 
• Student Development and Retention:
  • Support students' personal and academic growth by identifying and addressing barriers to their success.
  • Develop strategies for student retention, including providing outreach and support to at-risk students and promoting resources for academic support.
  • Provide students guidance on the skills needed to thrive and succeed in college, pointing them to university-offered resources or support systems. 
• Uphold University mission through work performed. 

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least one year of experience in academic advising, student services, or a related field. Ability to collaborate with a team, manage multiple tasks, work independently, and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to build rapport with diverse student populations
• Training in empathy and accountability.
• Competent presentation skills and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Problem solving skills, planning, and organization skills.

Preferred:

• Experience working with undergraduate students in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of federal regulations, university-specific academic policies, degree requirements, and university systems.
• Knowledge of the unique challenges first generation students endure and familiarity with ways to enhance the first generation academic experience.
• Knowledge or familiarity with PeopleSoft, Etrieve, Navigate and Canvas platforms.

Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

This is a Regular, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range:  $22.50 - $25.00 per hour.

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.