Job Details

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
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.

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

Advisors help students select proper courses, choose careers and appropriate majors, understand university academic policies and procedures, and cope with the transition to college. The Advising Center serves as a resource for the campus to better provide academic information. Advisors are responsible for assisting with the university-wide development of a relationship-based model of academic advising in support of the educational success of the undergraduate student. Along with university colleagues in other units, advisors work to increase the yield and quality of incoming students, decrease the time to graduation, and advance completion rates. Academic advisors contribute to these efforts through their comprehensive knowledge of the academic and support programs of the University and a thorough understanding of student development theories in practice.

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 students (new first-year students, transfers, and re-entering)
Continue as a primary advisor for students with 0-45 completed hours
Serve as the secondary advisor for students with 46-60 completed hours
Provide developmental, academic advising to undeclared students
Collaborate with Career Services staff to provide general career counseling
Represent the Advising Center at recruitment functions
Teach academic success courses as assigned
Serve as liaison to assigned departments and meet regularly with department heads
Meet regularly with the associate dean of the assigned college
Provide advising information and support for the University community
Present advisor educational workshops for faculty and staff
Assist with the development, revision, and updating of Advising Center processes, forms, and publications
Maintain appropriate advising records and documentation
Participate in the assessment and evaluation of academic advising and advising programs
Participate in ongoing professional development and encourage the growth of colleagues
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of the needs of students and the Advising Center

Masters degree or Bachelors degree and at least two years of demonstrated experience in advising and counseling students at the undergraduate level, especially first-year level.

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

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 Richard Gamble at rgamble@email.wcu.edu