Job Details

Academic Advisor - 230959

Position Number: 7336593
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Position Type: Academic Advising

Academic Advisor - 230959

Western Carolina University

Department: Advising Center

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

Academic Advisors support student success by helping students navigate their academic journey, from initial enrollment through degree completion. They assist students in selecting courses and majors, exploring career options, understanding university policies and procedures, and successfully transitioning to and progressing through college. The Advising Center serves as a central resource for academic guidance and information, advancing the Universitys relationship-based advising model and supporting institutional goals related to student recruitment, retention, timely graduation, and overall student achievement.

Academic Advisors support the development of the whole student through the delivery of the following duties and responsibilities:

Serve as a first enrollment advisor for all incoming residential students, including new first-year students, transfers, and re-entering students
Continue as a primary advisor for residential students with 0-45 completed hours
Serve as the secondary advisor for residential students with 46-60 completed hours
Continue as a primary advisor for distance students throughout their time in their program
Serve as the primary advisor for all incoming distance students throughout their time in their program

They provide developmental advising to undeclared students, collaborate with Career Services to support career exploration, and maintain comprehensive knowledge of the Universitys academic programs, support services, and student development practices.

Advisors also support the broader University community through recruitment activities, academic success instruction, faculty and staff training, departmental partnerships, and advising-related outreach.

In addition, Academic Advisors maintain advising records and documentation, contribute to the assessment and continuous improvement of advising programs and services, assist with the development and maintenance of advising processes and resources, engage in ongoing professional development, and perform other duties as needed to support the mission of the Advising Center and the success of WCU students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:
Minimum Qualifications:

Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.
Minimum of a Masters Degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field. For candidates demonstrating comparable independent educational or instructional activities related to the delivery of student advising and counseling or student personnel services, a relevant undergraduate degree and three or more years of relevant experience may be accepted as a substitution.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with Microsoft Office preferred, knowledge of Banner preferred. Additional computer skills helpful.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information, please contact Catherine MacCallum at cmaccallum@email.wcu.edu

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/34503