Student Support Services Advisor

Position Title: Student Support Services Advisor

Department: Academic Affairs

Advertised Pay: Upper $40000s

Campus Location:Washburn University

Review of applications will begin the week of January 5 2026

Position Summary:The Student Support Services (SSS) Advisor provides comprehensive programming and individualized support to participants in Washburns new federally-funded TRIO SSS program. The SSS program supports 140 eligible students evidencing academic need who are first-generation low-income or have documented disabilities. This role is responsible for advancing participants academic success and personal growth and promoting a sense of community that leads to positive educational outcomes. This grant-funded position plays a critical role in achieving Washburns institutional goals of increasing retention academic performance and on-time graduation rates for participants and sustaining the success of the TRIO SSS program.

This position is funded in full by a grant award.

About Washburn University:Washburn University is a teaching-focused student-centered public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of over 5500 undergraduate graduate and law students a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.

Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty staff and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages an excellent benefits program and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion modernization partnership achievement community and 2024 Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for according to Great Colleges to Work For program.

Essential Functions:
Advise a caseload of participants to place them in a position to thrive and to persist through graduation.
Meet with participants to provide academic advising relative to their academic program or pathway information on wraparound services that support student development course scheduling and other areas of educational counseling.
Maintain familiarity with Washburn University regulations policies and degree requirements.
Assist with outreach and recruitment efforts to SSS-eligible students (confirmed incoming and continuing) attending campus events to share SSS resources and/or give presentations about TRIO SSS. Examples of SSS recruitment events could include resource fairs admissions events orientation events etc.
Assist with application review and processing while adhering to required participant guidelines.
Assist with orienting participants to campus and provide referrals and resources.
Conduct intake assessments and exit interviews with participants.
Help participants create individual success plans and adhere to those plans.
Monitor academic status progress and performance of assigned students providing proactive timely and appropriate interventions and resource referrals.
Follow up with students on academic progress academic alerts registration holds under-enrollment credit completion and other concerns.
Develop coordinate and/or execute workshops and events for SSS participants on academic career financial leadership study skills and wellness topics etc.
Identify coordinate plan and evaluate leadership graduate/professional/law school and career development and financial literacy opportunities for SSS students. May include participant day trips and overnights for events/workshops.
Pursue professional development opportunities focused on improving academic advising to enhance knowledge and expand effectiveness as an advisor and on those opportunities focused upon TRIO SSS program regulations and services.
Effectively use Navigate360 as well as Blumen to manage a caseload of students maintain student records and detailed documentation of student contacts perform data collection and assist with data tracking and reporting to contribute to federal grant reporting requirements.
Communicate/collaborate with faculty staff success coaches and academic advisors to provide wraparound care for participants.
Attend and contribute to SSS staff meetings 1:1 meetings CSSR advisor meetings CSSR/Libraries meetings and occasional campus-wide meetings.
May serve as the advisor on a WU 101 teaching team for a section dedicated to SSS participants.
Occasional evening weekend work overnight and multi-day/night travel.
Performs additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in a relevant field (education social work counseling social sciences etc.).
Experience working in higher education student personnel or working directly with postsecondary students to promote success.
Minimum two years of experience advising mentoring or delivering academic support services to disadvantaged students.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with individuals who may possess a broad range of academic skills and goals.
Knowledge of the academic economic and other needs of low-income first-generation at-risk and disabled students.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Ability to maintain accurate documentation as required by TRIO SSS Program regulations and the US Department of Education.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and with attention to detail.
Valid drivers license with an acceptable driving record under Washburns standards.

Preferred Qualifications:
Masters degree in a relevant field (education social work counseling social sciences etc.).
Previous experience in federal TRIO programs or similar programs that support college access success and improved academic performance for disadvantaged students.
Personal or professional experience working with students similar to those in the target population.
Experience in academic advising and/or academic counseling.

Exempt Full-time
Background check and driving history are required