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About the Department of Academic Advising

While the Academic Advisor reports centrally through the Manager Academic Advising they work in collaboration with their assigned Faculty to ensure their advising practices align with both institutional standards and Faculty-specific needs. Advising is delivered in partnership with academic departments and success in this role requires strong trust-based relationships with Deans Associate Deans Chairs and other Faculty leaders. The Academic Advisor must demonstrate respect for the values priorities and academic integrity of the Faculty and adapt advising practices to support shared goals for student success. This collaborative approach ensures consistency in advising quality while remaining responsive to the unique contexts of each academic area.

About the Role

Academic Advising is a developmental process assisting students in the clarification of their educational goals and the implementation of an educational plan to realize these goals. Advisors play a key role in student retention advising new and continuing students throughout their tenure at Mount Royal University. Advisors must be knowledgeable about all aspects of University programs policies procedures services dates and deadlines related to a students academic journey. Advisors engage in proactive holistic and inclusive advising practices that reflect professional standards and contribute to a consistent advising experience across the University. Advisors are expected to work independently exercise sound judgment and demonstrate personal accountability to deliver highly effective academic advising. Professional development is encouraged through regular participation and attendance in team meetings and campus advising meetings. In addition the incumbent is encouraged to maintain membership in NACADA - the Global Community for Academic Advising and/or the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) and adhere to those Professional Advising Standards.

Please note: There is a strong internal candidate for this role.

Responsibilities

1. Advising Students (75%)

The majority of an advisors time will be spent advising students in their Faculty as well as prospective students currently in other MRU programs. Advising may occur through one-on-one appointments group sessions distance delivery or the creation and maintenance of self-directed student resources. Special student populations have multiple and sometimes competing needs that add complexity to advising conversations. In any setting the advisor must establish rapport accessibility/boundaries and confidence in the relationship. Academic advising is a developmental process that plays a critical role in student retention and success. Through proactive student-centred conversations advisors empower students to make meaningful decisions build personalized academic plans and approach their education with clarity and confidence. To effectively advise students the advisor must engage in a number of tasks which may include:

• Deliver proactive developmental advising that supports student retention and success.
• Provide a wide scope of developmental advising and using different approaches support students through admissions program selection degree requirements and graduation.
• Establish rapport and trust through active listening appropriate questioning and supportive relationship-building.
• Help students clarify their academic personal and career goals and build personalized educational plans.
• Support student decision-making through guided exploration of alternatives evaluating trade-offs and possible consequences.
• Use developmental advising strategies tailored to the needs of each student incorporating a holistic and learner-centred approach.
• Assist students in understanding and navigating institutional policies procedures and graduation requirements.
• Teach students how to access and interpret key advising tools (e.g. mruGradU8 program planning guides academic calendar MRU website).
• Perform degree audits and monitor academic progress with a focus on proactive measures.
• Identify and proactively follow up with students at critical points in their academic journey (e.g. new students those in difficulty nearing graduation).
• Problem-solve unique and complex student situations (e.g. curriculum transitions reinstatement graduation exceptions) and recommend appropriate actions.
• Refer students to campus supports and services (e.g. Access and Inclusion Services Student Learning Services Financial Aid Wellness) to address barriers to success.
• Maintain a deep and current understanding of academic programs admission requirements and curriculum structures.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with the faculty and administrators within their Faculty to ensure seamless support to students limit negative implications of curriculum changes and to observe opportunities to enhance academic programs.
• Interpret and communicate complex curricular changes prerequisites and program pathways.
• Keep current with important dates and deadlines related to registration fees academic standing and progression.
• Maintain accurate advising records in institutional systems with an understanding of best practices and FOIP requirements.
• Support co-curricular and experiential learning by promoting student involvement in research campus engagement and career development opportunities.
• Provide accurate and timely information to students faculty and staff.
• Guide students in developing help-seeking behaviours resilience and self-advocacy.
• Collaborate with Faculty and campus partners to coordinate support and promote student success.
• Participate in institutional events (e.g. orientation) and develop effective tools for outreach (e.g. targeted student communication).

2. Professional Practice and Continuous Learning (15%)

Advisors are expected to manage themselves with professionalism clarity and care. This includes setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries cultivating habits that support personal well-being and building the resilience required to navigate emotionally complex work. Advisors are responsible for their own self-awareness and for taking steps to sustain their energy focus and capacity to support students effectively. While they do not hold formal leadership roles their daily actions contribute significantly to the tone culture and impact of the advising environment. Advisors are also expected to take ownership of their professional practiceactively engaging in continuous learning reflecting on their approach to advising and contributing to improvements in advising services that benefit both individual students and the broader advising community.

• Stay informed of best practices in academic advising and contribute to the continuous improvement of advising services.
• Actively engage in professional development activities to strengthen knowledge of advising theory policy and practice.
• Identify common student concerns emerging themes and curriculum-related questions and bring forward observations that can inform continuous improvement.
• Provide thoughtful input on curriculum development and implementation from the student lens including rollout considerations and advising implications.
• Contribute to the consistency and quality of advising services by reviewing and enhancing student-facing tools resources and communication materials.
• Perform degree audits and monitor academic progress with a focus on proactive measures.
• Identify and proactively follow up with students at critical points in their academic journey (e.g. new students those in difficulty nearing graduation).
• Participate in advising team meetings institutional training and other relevant activities to promote shared learning and collaboration.
• Demonstrate personal accountability self-awareness and a proactive approach to professional growth and personal well-being.

3. Administrative Responsibilities (10%)

• Maintain accurate advising notes and records in university systems understanding FOIP regulations and best practices for record keeping.
• Engage with student inquiries across multiple channels (email phone drop-in) with a focus on timely accurate and student-centred communication that reflects advising best practices and builds trust.
• Review scheduling systems to ensure advising services are accessible well-organized and responsive to student demand.
• Support communication strategies by developing proactive student-centred outreach messages that align with advising priorities promote engagement and reflect institutional tone and values.
• Assist with reporting data collection and documentation to support advising operations.
• Monitor student activity trends and feedback to identify opportunities to improve services systems and supports.
• Contribute to the culture of continuous improvement by engaging in reflection innovation and accountability.
• Test and validate advising-related systems and software following institutional upgrades (e.g. Banner) ensuring updates function as expected and identifying any discrepancies or unintended consequences.
• Take ownership for advising outcomes ensuring you take full responsibility for the accuracy of information you share the quality of your work and the students you supportregardless of a students program status or stage in their academic journey.

Qualifications

• Three or four year Bachelor Degree or equivalent.
• 2 - 3 years related experience in a post-secondary environment is strongly preferred although it is required that that experience includes working with clients on a one-to-one basis.
• Understanding and familiarity with Student Services specifically Admissions and Recruitment Academic Advising Transfer Credit Credit Registration and Records is extremely valuable.
• Consulting skills - able to research analyze resolve and recommend solutions innovations or opportunities.
• Communication - must have excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills specifically pertaining to the motivation of young adults and life-long learning as well as active listening and questioning skills.
• Problem-solving skills - the nature of the advising relationship requires that the incumbent be able to solve complex problems and provide solutions.
• Customer/student service and professionalism - superior skills required in customer service and/or working with the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a variety of settings exercising tact diplomacy confidentiality (FOIP) patience and the ability to manage stress in all of these settings.
• Organization - must be well-organized able to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Computer literacy - must possess a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google. A familiarity with degree audit systems and Banner is an asset.
• Knowledge of post-secondary environments especially within the Canadian context.
• Ability to use sound judgment in making decisions and to work independently.
• Awareness of matters pertaining to disability race colour gender religion ancestry gender expression family status and sexual orientation.
• Advisors are often in a position where they are required to respond to political and/or philosophical issues concerning Mount Royal University or education in general in a public forum (e.g. group advising workshops or Open House).
• The image of the University in the community is often a reflection of those representing the University at various functions including group Advising workshops and Open House. It is essential therefore that the incumbent always presents a professional and informed image.
• It is also essential for the incumbent to present an equally professional image to the University community to be personable and to display tact and flexibility to the various departments within the University.
• The incumbent is required to keep up to date on academic programs graduation procedures University admission policies physical resources services and facilities.

Salary: $ 55982 - 70841 per annum

Closing Date: July 09 2025

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: Last Name Requisition Number Document (ex. Smith 999999 ).