Position Summary

The College of Arts and Letters at San Diego State University is seeking a General Academic Advisor to provide comprehensive, student-centered advising that empowers undergraduate students to make informed academic decisions, overcome challenges, and stay on track toward graduation. This position supports students across designated majors and minors, providing individualized guidance on degree requirements, academic planning, university policies, and opportunities that enhance their college experience.

As part of the College of Arts and Letters Student Success Center, the General Academic Advisor works collaboratively with faculty advisors, academic departments, and campus partners to provide proactive outreach, monitor student progress, and connect students with resources that support their academic and personal development. This is an opportunity for a student services professional who values meaningful student interactions, collaborative problem-solving, and helping students build confidence as they work toward their educational goals.

SDSU is an innovative institution that promotes and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do: research, teaching, professional development, student experiences in and outside the classroom, and community relationships. Our values compel us to foster such an environment, where community members of all identities can thrive. We embrace SDSU’s identity as a Hispanic-Serving Institution on the border and recognize our residence on Kumeyaay land. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to serving and/or addressing issues related to underrepresented population.

Key Responsibilities

• Academic Advising: Provide individualized and group advising to undergraduate students on course selection, general education, major and minor requirements, academic planning, and degree completion.
• Student Success & Retention: Monitor academic progress, identify students experiencing academic challenges, and provide proactive outreach and individualized guidance to support retention, academic improvement, and timely graduation.
• Academic Policy & Guidance: Interpret and communicate university, college, and departmental academic policies and procedures, assisting students with academic petitions, course exceptions, and other academic processes in collaboration with faculty advisors and campus offices.
• Student Outreach & Engagement: Support recruitment, orientation, and student engagement initiatives, including Explore SDSU, new student orientations, workshops, and other College events that connect students with academic opportunities and resources.
• Student Resource Navigation: Help students identify and access appropriate university resources, support services, and co-curricular opportunities based on their individual academic, personal, and professional development needs.
• Advising Records & Technology: Maintain accurate and confidential advising records using SDSU Navigate (EAB) and other university systems, review student academic information, and document advising interactions and follow-up activities.
• Campus Collaboration: Partner with faculty advisors, academic departments, the Student Success Center, and campus offices to coordinate advising services, support student success initiatives, and improve the student experience.

Why Join Us?

• Make a Meaningful Impact: Help students navigate academic challenges, recognize opportunities, and make progress toward achieving their educational goals.
• Support Student Success: Play an important role in initiatives focused on student retention, academic achievement, engagement, and graduation.
• Collaborative Advising Environment: Work alongside experienced academic advisors, faculty, and campus partners who share a commitment to providing student-centered support.
• Professional Growth: Build expertise in holistic academic advising, student success strategies, university policies, and advising technologies.
• Diverse Academic Community: Support students across the College of Arts and Letters, SDSU's largest college, representing a wide range of academic disciplines, backgrounds, and educational interests.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

Position Information

• Full-time, benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• Position is designated exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to one days per week, following a training period during which on-site presence is required.

Department Summary

The College of Arts and Letters (CAL) has 18 academic departments, nine interdisciplinary programs, 22 centers, the Social Science Research Laboratory, and one joint doctoral program. With nearly 500 permanent faculty and associated lecturers, the College is the largest of the seven colleges at San Diego State University and is responsible for 36% of the instruction at the University. The Office of the Assistant Dean for Students Affairs consists of one Assistant Dean, three SSP III, three SSP II, and one Administrative Support Assistant II.

The Office of the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and CAL Student Success Center offer a comprehensive range of services to students in the College of Arts and Letters. The office takes a student-centered approach in its efforts to help students, endeavoring to give each student as much individualized attention as possible. Since student issues often extend beyond the purview of this office, the staff maintain constant communication with all campus entities to provide students with the best possible assistance. The mission of this office is to enhance the students’ college experience by providing assistance that will support the student's primary educational goal: attaining a degree.

For more information regarding the College of Arts and Letters, click here.

Education and Experience

Possession of this knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth.  A master’s degree in a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience.

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job‑related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field is preferred.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals consistent with multicultural, multisexed and multi‑aged value systems. 
• Experience advising and supporting students from diverse backgrounds, including historically underserved populations, with an understanding of barriers that may impact academic success, is preferred.
• Knowledge of university academic policies, degree requirements, course planning, and graduation processes, including experience reviewing transcripts and evaluating academic progress, is preferred.
• Experience using student information systems, academic advising platforms (such as EAB Navigate), degree audit systems, or similar technologies is preferred.
• Experience developing or supporting student success initiatives, academic workshops, outreach programs, student organizations, or engagement activities is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with experience collaborating effectively with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners, are preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
 Salary is based on your experience, education, and qualifications, within the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,083–$7,228/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $5,083/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by November 8, 2026 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.  Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Taylor Smith at tjaress@sdsu.edu.