Academic Advisor

Position Description

Serves as the primary advisor for a caseload of first-year undergraduate students in the Rosemead

School of Psychology and the Health Division of the School of Science, Technology and Health. The

advisor seeks to effectively partner with the schools they serve to positively impact academic thriving and

student success through counseling first-year and at-risk students.

Alignment with Theological Positions

Alignment with Theological Positions: The person who fills this position must be someone who personally

agrees with Biola's Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles and who is supportive of the

positions taken by Biola as contained in its Eschatology Teaching Position. As such, this person may not

speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment

at Biola.

Department

Academic Advising

Supervisor

This position reports to the Director of Academic Advising & Success.

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree with a minimum of two years of experience in advising or related academic functions

within higher education.

Work Requirements

Non-exempt (02), full-time - 40 hours/week, 12 months per year

This position requires personal attendance at Biola's campus in La Mirada, California, but will consider a

limited hybrid/flexible work arrangement in the summer months.

Essential Duties

Academic Advising

• Serves as the academic advisor for all first-year students in their caseload through the end

of students' first academic year. Meets regularly with first-year students to assess and

discuss courses, academic performance, degree progress/timeline, connections to career,

and any unique program requirements.

• Conducts required advising for first-year students during registration periods and ensures

students register on time for appropriate courses. Conducts outreach to non-registered

students.

• Serves as an academic advisor to assigned probation students. Establishes academic

goals, provides coaching, and evaluates academic progress via faculty feedback. Provides

feedback to students in a timely and appropriate fashion. Refers students to campus

resources as needed.

• Ensures the effectiveness of the advising process by maintaining up-to-date digital

advising notes for all advising appointments and correspondence.

• Supervises 2-3 Peer Academic Advisors under the direction of the Senior Academic

Advisor, maximizing the impact of this student role for the benefit of students and campus

partners.

New Student Registration

• Provides advising and registration for incoming students from the time of "confirmed"

status through the start of the semester. Works closely with Admissions to manage the

matriculation of new students, the Registrar's Office regarding transfer coursework, and

academic departments with course sequencing and availability.

Department Liaison

• Partners as a liaison to faculty in their assigned schools to assist with

registration/academic advising events and information sharing of any curricular, software,

policy, or system changes that impact advising.

• Serves as a supplemental academic advisor to students in cooperation with faculty

advisors in the development and clarification of educational plans and graduation

timelines.

• Serves as a bridge, building connections between first year students and faculty in their program.

Partners with school leadership and faculty to gain expertise on the curricular pathways,

requirements, and resources in their given program.

• Assists with other tasks and duties that support the Academic Advising program.

Required Skills/Qualifications

• Passionate about the academic success of all students.

• Exceptional interpersonal/advising skills.

• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to multitask.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with diverse clients and

team members.

• Ability to learn and use complex computer-based systems and multi-faceted software and

database management systems.

• Google Workspace proficiency: familiarity with Google products including Gmail, Google

Calendar, Docs, Sheets and Slides, Google Drive and Google Meet.

• Commitment to Christian higher education.

• Confidentiality: Handling sensitive information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Genuine interest in and/or experience with the subjects taught in their caseload (e.g.,

psychology, kinesiology, public health, occupational therapy, etc.).

• Strong multicultural competencies and ability to work with diverse populations.

• Knowledge of higher education policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of academic advising and counseling techniques for higher education

programs.