Kentucky State University·Frankfort, Kentucky
Provide personalized academic advising and guidance to students to ensure timely degree completion and academic success. Collaborate with campus resources and track student progress to implement retention strategies and support services.
TITLE: Professional Advisor I
Department: Student Success Center
Reports to: Director of Student Success
Classification: Staff-12 months
Effective date: TBD
37.5 hours per week
Employment status: Full-Time
Employment classification: Exempt
Location: 100% in-person
The Student Success Center at KSU serves all students to provide seamless, robust, focused, and comprehensive educational support. The Advisor will join a team of outstanding individuals with diverse professional and personal backgrounds in the Student Success Center who form a high-functioning community of practice. The Advisor will provide personalized, one-on-one support in navigating the road to academic success, and staying on track towards timely degree completion. Additionally, Advisors may provide instruction for KSU seminar courses and assist with retention programming efforts.
Meet with students individually or in groups to provide academic advising and guidance. Assist students in selecting appropriate courses, understanding degree requirements, and creating academic plans that align with their interests and goals.
Stay updated on the institution's academic policies, program requirements, and degree pathways. Help students navigate through the curriculum and ensure they are aware of any prerequisite courses, core requirements, and elective options.
Assist students in developing semester-by-semester course schedules that align with their academic goals, ensure timely progress towards graduation, and consider factors such as prerequisites, course availability, and any specific program requirements.
Collaborate with other campus departments or resources, such as tutoring centers, career services, or mental health services, to connect students with additional support services that can enhance their academic success.
Track students' academic progress, such as monitoring grades, attendance, and credits earned. Identify any academic challenges or concerns and develop strategies to address them, including referring students to appropriate resources for additional assistance.
Interpret and explain institutional academic policies and procedures to students. Help students understand regulations regarding course add/drop, withdrawal, academic standing, and transfer credits.
Provide guidance and support to students in exploring their personal and career interests. Help students identify potential career paths, discuss major/minor options, and explore opportunities for internships, research, or other experiential learning experiences.
Participate in orientation programs and assist new students in navigating the academic environment, understanding institutional resources, and registering for their first semester of classes.
Keep accurate and up-to-date records of student interactions, advising sessions, and academic plans. Utilize advising software or information systems to document student progress and communicate with relevant stakeholders.
Maintain current knowledge of student development theories, best practices in academic advising, and relevant institutional policies or programs.
Represent the Advising Office and/or the Center for Student Success at open houses, admission events, and other functions as necessary.
Performs other site and position specific functions as assigned.
• This position does not have supervisory responsibility.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
Licensing and Certifications: NA
Work is normally performed in a typical interior and/or office work environment.
No or very limited physical effort required.
No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.
Requires 1-2 years of experience in higher education and a preferred Master's degree. Candidates must possess strong communication skills and the ability to work with diverse student populations in a fast-paced environment.
Market context
Professional advisor roles in Kentucky are often tied to student retention, enrollment support, and academic planning, so demand is typically strongest at colleges and universities serving diverse student populations. These roles are competitive because employers look for candidates with higher education experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage a fast-paced advising environment. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, and tailor your application to show advising experience with diverse students and a clear student-support approach.
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