Academic Advisor, College of Arts and Sciences in Chester

Widener University is currently seeking an Academic Advisor to provide comprehensive, high-level academic guidance to transfer and continuing students, serving as a primary resource for complex advising needs, curricular navigation, and academic planning across the College of Arts & Sciences. This position builds and sustains strategic partnerships with regional community colleges, supports the development of articulation agreements, and maintains a deep understanding of university policies to ensure accurate transfer credit evaluation and seamless pathways toward degree completion. The Academic Advisor collaborates closely with faculty and the Dean’s Office to address challenging student situations, support academic recovery processes, oversee retention initiatives, and maintain essential academic materials—including catalogs, handbooks, and advising resources to promote consistency, transparency, and student success.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):

• Maintains regular office hours for students.
• Provides high-touch advising for incoming transfer students by promptly reviewing transfer credits, planning course sequences, and maintaining consistent communication to support a smooth transition and retention.
• Provides training to new transfer students on Student Planning and other essential university systems.
• Supports transfer student progress by estimating graduation timelines, conducting regular check-ins, and helping ensure students remain on track for degree completion.
• Supports faculty advisors in managing their undergraduate advising loads and assists with training faculty advisors, providing workshops or other training materials.
• Manages advising issues such as registration holds, identifying course schedule conflicts, and assisting students in resolving barriers to enrollment.
• Collaborates with the Associate and Assistant Deans to support students in academic jeopardy, including academic recovery planning and monitoring academic standing.
• Partners with faculty, departments, and student support services to navigate complex student situations and ensure consistency in academic decision-making.
• Maintains and updates academic catalogs, student handbooks, and website content to reflect current curriculum and policy changes.

Secondary Duties:

• Works with other units to build and update list of exemptions for graduation requirements (PE, Writing Enriched, Diversity, ASC 101, etc.) based on transfer credits.
• Provides support related to clearing and managing PAWS alerts.
• Tracks university calendars for relevant deadlines and action items.
• Provides logistical support to the Dean’s Office, Associate Deans, and Department chairs, as deemed necessary by the Dean.
• Generates reports and analyses student data to inform advising and support strategies.
• Builds and maintains strategic relationships with key partner institutions where transfer students begin their academic journey; potential to hold office hours at partner institutions to support recruitment, advising, and visibility of academic programs.
• Supports the development and maintenance of articulation agreements and curricular pathways across a range of majors.
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):

• Master’s degree in Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or related field.
• Knowledge of and experience with NACADA and advising models.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in higher education.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in academic advising.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems, and willingness to incorporate AI into workflows.

Preferred:

• Experience working with students across a range of academic disciplines.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:

• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
• Possible travel to local 2-year institutions to support student recruitment and onboarding.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy. Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at www.widener.edu. EOE M/F/V/D