Academic Advisor and Success Coach

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Position Title:

Academic Advisor and Success Coach - College of Integrated Studies

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Academic Advisor

Job Duties:

Attention:

The College of Integrated Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Rock County Campus seeks an Academic Advisor and Success Coach (Academic Advisor, AE002).

Position Summary:

The Academic Advisor and Student Success Coach provides comprehensive, developmental advising and holistic success coaching to support students from enrollment through graduation. This position empowers students to make informed academic, personal, and career decisions while promoting persistence, retention, and timely degree completion.

The Advisor/Coach delivers proactive outreach, individualized action planning, and structured interventions for students, including those who are undecided, on probation, or identified through early alert systems. The role requires expertise in admissions, financial aid, accessibility services, enrollment processes, transfer pathways, and academic policies.

This position collaborates across campus departments to ensure coordinated, equitable, and student-centered services. Typical hours are 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, with occasional evening hours.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Advising & Educational Planning

• Provide holistic academic, career, and transfer advising to new, continuing, and prospective students.

• Guide students in course selection, degree requirements, placement interpretation, and academic policy navigation.

• Assist undecided students in clarifying academic and career goals using strengths, interests, and values assessments.

• Support transfer planning, including understanding transfer institutions, articulation agreements, and admissions requirements.

• Maintain accurate advising documentation in institutional systems (e.g., Navigate, PeopleSoft, Stellic, Slate).

• Ensure compliance with FERPA and institutional policies while maintaining detailed and timely student records.

Student Success Coaching & Retention Initiatives

• Provide individualized success coaching focused on goal setting, time management, study strategies, resilience, and academic skill development.

• Develop structured success plans for students on probation, at risk of attrition, or identified through early alert/progress report systems.

• Conduct proactive outreach to students at key academic milestones (pre-registration, midterm, probation review, etc.).

• Monitor student progress and follow up consistently to reinforce accountability and persistence.

• Collaborate with faculty and staff to coordinate interventions and referrals to tutoring, accessibility services, financial aid, mental health resources, and other support services.

• Analyze advising and retention data to inform outreach strategies and continuous improvement efforts.

Enrollment, Recruitment & Transition Support

• Manage rosters and advising assignments for SOAR (Student orientation and registration).

• Participate in orientation, registration, and welcome programming for new students.

• Support recruitment and retention initiatives through campus events, visits, outreach, and follow-up with non-registered students.

• Promote timely registration and academic progress through targeted communication campaigns.

Campus Collaboration & Operational Support

•  Serve in advisor rotation within the Solution Center/One-Stop model.

• Cross-train in admissions, financial aid, and student financial services to provide integrated student support.

• Contribute to advisor training and the development of advising best practices.

• Participate in campus-wide advising initiatives and provide input to leadership on student success programming.

• Complete reporting, assessment, and special projects as assigned.

• Engage in ongoing professional development related to advising theory, coaching practices, equity-minded support, and student success research.

• Serve on campus committees as assigned.

• Other duties/projects as assigned by the Director of Enrollment and Student Affairs and the Academic Advising Manager.

Core Competencies

• Developmental advising and coaching mindset

• Student-centered and solution-focused approach

• Cultural competency and commitment to equity and inclusion

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to manage caseloads and meet deadlines

• Data-informed decision making

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Proactively engages students as needed

• Receives, processes, and responds to academic inquiries according to established policies and procedures

• Maintains expertise with advised curriculum and may assist in developing and recommending exceptions for policy and curriculum

• Maintains confidentiality and accurate student records and processes and responds to academic inquiries according to established institutional and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policies

• Implements academic advising events such as workshops, panel discussions, and guest speakers

• Participates in the campus-wide advising community providing input to leadership regarding the development of advising, recruitment, and co/curricular programs offered by the school/college

• Serves as a main point of contact for students and provides information about educational options and academic requirements; assists with identifying and assessing interests, skills, and values to match appropriate field of study/career options, and refers students to appropriate institutional resources

Department:

College of Integrated Studies

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary of $52,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with inclusive student populations

• Spanish language proficiency

• Student-centered, solution-focused orientation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, social work, or related field

• Experience in academic advising, coaching, teaching, or student support services

• Experience working with at-risk or probationary students

• Familiarity with student information systems (PeopleSoft, Navigate, Stellic)

• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

How to Apply:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• Name and contact information for three professional references

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or [email protected].

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Tanja Anderson

[email protected]

(608) 898-5039

To Ensure Consideration:

Applications received by May 6th, 2026, are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.   

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.  

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin (https://www.wisconsin.edu). 
 
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a). 
 
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked. 
 
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills. 
 
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see  Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

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.