Academic Counselor

Job Description

Be part of a student-centered advising community at the University of Washingtons College of Arts & Sciences where curiosity discovery and academic excellence shape the Husky experience.

Who we are

• The College of Arts & Sciences is the academic heart of UW Seattle home to 39 departments spanning the arts humanities social sciences and natural sciences.

• College Advisors partner with departments programs and campus offices to support undergraduate and graduate student success from admission through graduation.

Your opportunity

As an Academic Counselor (College Advisor) in the Office of the Dean you will provide high-impact academic advising to undergraduates while also supporting graduate program administration across a portfolio of Arts & Sciences units. You will help departments respond to shifting workloads and student demand contributing flexible professional level advising capacity where it is needed most.

Working under the general direction of the Assistant Dean of College Advising you will:

• Guide students in exploring academic pathways navigating policies and making timely progress to degree.

• Support graduate programs with admissions and student progress processes that enable faculty to focus on mentoring and teaching.

• Contribute to college-wide advising initiatives aligned with the Deans priorities and student success goals.

Key responsibilities

Academic advising (70%)

• Advise prospective current and returning undergraduate students on university and college requirements course planning and degree progress.

• Guide students through major and minor exploration including understanding admissions criteria and timelines.

• Direct students to accurate information about programs curriculum and policies.

• Help connect students with campus resources and refer appropriately for academic and personal support.

• Track students satisfactory progress providing outreach and communications according to policies.

• Assist students facing administrative challenges such as registration holds petitions or enrollment issues.

• Review and process graduation applications.

• Monitor academic progress using institutional tools (e.g. DARS SDB MyGrad Slate).

• Provide counsel to college leadership on patterns or structural barriers affecting student progression.

• Maintain advising records and communications in compliance with FERPA and institutional standards.

Outreach and collaboration (15%)

• Contribute to developing advising content for communications including listserv announcements email messages and advising guides.

• Collaborate with advisors and offices across campus to provide coordinated advising support.

• Maintain liaison relationships with CAS academic units as well as campus offices including the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity Office of the Registrar New Student and Transfer Programs and Undergraduate Academic Advising.

Graduate program and other support (15%)

• Act for the unit as the administrative lead in admitting students into Graduate School. Process graduate program applications and distribute materials for Admissions Committee review; coordinate acceptance/denial letters fellowship nominations and funding/awards allocation.

• Transmit to the Dean of the Graduate School the names of those to serve as Chairperson and Members of the Supervisory Committee for graduate students

• Acquire and maintain familiarity with policies and procedures of the Graduate School.

• Assist faculty in their graduate student advising responsibilities including degree planning course selection and expectations for degree progress. Monitor benchmarks.

• Participate in professional development team meetings and college-wide advising initiatives.

• Support special projects related to student/advising data communications or advising policy implementation

• Assist with tracking enrollment patterns and student progress metrics as needed.

• Coordinate with HR and Finance managers on scholarship and stipend dispersals.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field.

• Minimum two years of academic advising student affairs or equivalent experience in a higher education setting.

Additional Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a rapidly evolving context.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Experience with data entry and basic reporting including organizing student or client information and tracking progress.

• Demonstrated familiarity with and ability to adopt and implement diverse technology communications and social media platforms and applications.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience advising diverse populations within a liberal arts and sciences domain.

• Familiarity with University of Washington academic systems and policies (e.g. DARS SDB MyGrad Slate).

• Experience managing student communications and outreach.

• Demonstrated interest in improving student services through process evaluation resource development or technology use.

• Demonstrated bias for action with strong follow-through to produce desired outcomes or deliverables.

Why UW and the College of Arts & Sciences

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• A collaborative and supportive work culture

• Meaningful work supporting student persistence timely graduation and academic exploration in a world-class public research university.

• A collaborative advising community that values professional judgment adaptability and thoughtful innovation in student services.

If you are an adaptable student-centered professional who enjoys working across varied academic contexts and building structures that help students thrive consider joining the College as an Academic Counselor.

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.