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Position Title:

Academic Advising Director (Inst)

Job Category:

Limited

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Academic Adv Dir (Inst)

Job Duties:

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), Wisconsin’s second-largest university, delivers a lifechanging, high-quality education to 23,000 students from more than 80 countries every year. We embrace our unique dual mission of performing world-class research and ensuring college access for students from all backgrounds. UWM is one of 146 top research institutions recognized as an R1 doctoral university, Wisconsin’s leader in educating veterans, and UWM’s online bachelor’s programs earned a top 20 national ranking

UWM celebrates, values, and promotes the diverse voices and experiences of its students and employees and our community partners. We believe diversity enriches and strengthens our institution. UWM is committed to providing equitable access to opportunities for students and employees from every background. We aspire to create a campus climate that is welcoming to all. Learn more here: About – Community Empowerment and Institutional Inclusivity (uwm.edu)

Reporting to the Chief Student Success Officer, the Director of Academic Advising (Director) will lead UWM’s cross-campus academic advising unit while directing advising strategies and initiatives with the leadership of School/College-based advising units across the campus, which operates within a decentralized structure. The Director will act as subject matter expert and primary stakeholder for initiatives, policies, practices, or purchases that involve or affect academic advising or advisors. To meet the needs of our students, the Director will develop a collaborative campus academic advising curriculum that focuses on holistic and proactive advising practices.

Cross-campus academic advising unit includes Pathway Advising (for undecided and undeclared students), as well as course/curricular advising for non-degree students and auditors. The Director will manage and monitor a standard process for students declaring or changing majors, as well as transitions between and out of cross-campus programs. Additionally, the Director will manage a standard campus plan for interventions with students at academic risk, with shared accountability between academic advising units, student support offices, and other stakeholders.

This role collaborates with both internal partners in the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success (SEMSS) and cross-campus partners, such as Academic and Student Affairs, to ensure that academic advising is integrated into student success initiatives.

As the leader of academic advising across UWM’s Schools and Colleges, the Director will foster communication and collaboration to create consistent academic advising experiences for students. This will involve continually assessing process/delivery outcomes, as well as student learning outcomes, in accordance with industry standards and institutional and divisional priorities. The Director will also lead and ensure the training and professional development of campus academic advisors.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Academic Advising Training and Development & Staff Supervision

• Lead campus-wide training and professional development initiatives for academic advisors.

• Manage a campus-wide process for students declaring or changing majors and transitioning between academic programs.

• Guide the hiring and onboarding of new academic advisor positions across campus, in coordination with School/College unit supervisors.

• Provide oversight and strategic direction for non-degree advising and course/curricular advising for auditors.

• Exercise supervisory authority over at least 2.0 FTE employees, including hiring, performance management, and disciplinary actions.

Academic Advising Strategy & Planning

• Represent academic advising in Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) retention efforts.

• Ensure academic advising practices support a cohesive and student-centered experience across all units.

• Sponsor, charge, and set direction for institutional groups and committees connected to academic advising (e.g., Advisors & Coaches Network, Advising Steering Committee, Enhancing Advising Committee).

• Represent UWM academic advising in Universities of Wisconsin initiatives.

• Identify new, innovative, and collaborative sources of funding.

Assessment & Data-Informed Practice

• Monitor campus-wide academic advising caseloads and assess evolving advising needs in relation to industry and peer institution standards.

• Review, analyze, and respond to academic advising-related campus data.

• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies and data-informed practices to enhance academic advising efficiency and student belonging.

• Implement, manage, and enhance assessment and evaluation of campus-wide academic advising, following national standards and best practices.

Student Success & Support

• Manage campus-wide interventions for students at academic risk.

• Maintain open communication and strategic ties with School/College advising offices, Honors and Athletics advising, the Student Success Center, and cross-campus success coaching efforts.

• Act as a liaison between professional advising and faculty advising.

Department: Student Success

Compensation: $115,000-$125,000 (Final salary offer will be determined based on qualifications and experience) 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher
• At least three (3) years of experience in academic advising or student Experience in a leadership role, with at least one year of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with populations that have been historically underrepresented (e.g., first-generation, Pell-eligible students, etc.) in educational settings.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current and developing trends in academic advising, student retention, engagement, and achievement.
• Strong understanding of holistic advising principles and best practices in student development.
• Experience with advising technologies and data analytics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a public, academic environment working with a diverse student, faculty/teacher, and staff population.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining collaborative partnerships with campus stakeholders.
• Experience leading organizational change initiatives, including process redesign, policy development, and transformation of norms and values.
• Skilled in setting timelines, managing resources, and ensuring accountability across teams.
• Demonstrated professional experience leading effectively, fostering a respectful and collaborative team environment, and ensuring that multiple perspectives are considered in decision-making and daily operations.
• Experience working in or assisting with establishing an integrated student service model.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work towards consensus among various constituents while maintaining tact, diplomacy, and a spirit of shared values.
• Experience working with technology to improve efficiency and delivery of goals.

Working Environment

• This position shall be expected to travel, may have several work locations, including remote, to accomplish the goals of the unit and the institution.
• While overseeing various aspects of academic advising, the successful candidate must demonstrate professionalism and maintain composure in high-pressure or challenging situations.
• UWM is a team oriented and collaborative environment.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are required to apply online a provide a cover letter and detailed resume/CV that addresses your professional level work experience as it relates to all required and preferred qualifications. 

Finalist candidate(s) being considered for hire will be required to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified. 

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from the candidates’ application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they may be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications. 

Contact Information:

Angela Broderick

HR-Coordinator

wickhama@uwm.edu

414-229-3379

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.