Duties & Responsibilities

Academic Advising and Student Support
• Provide academic advising to BSW and iBSW students, assisting them with course selection, registration processes, and fulfilling degree requirements. Offer guidance on academic policies and procedures while monitoring students' progress using the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) to ensure they are on track for graduation.
• Assist students in exploring career options within the field of social work, offering advice on internships, practicums, and other professional development opportunities. Provide counsel on post-graduate options, including job searches and graduate studies.
• Provide support and mentorship to students of concern (e.g., students on academic probation or those identified via the Student Concern Form). Collaborate with other academic affairs and student services staff to create an inclusive and supportive environment for students from diverse backgrounds.
• Identify students needing additional support and make appropriate referrals to university resources such as counseling services, academic accommodations, or career services. Serve as a liaison between students, faculty, and support services to address academic and personal concerns effectively.
• Maintain detailed records of advising sessions and student interactions using the advising portal system. Update student files and documents to ensure an accurate record of academic progress and support activities.
• Participate in the School of Social Work’s New Student Registration (NSR) program for new freshmen and transfer students. Assist with orientation sessions to help new students transition into the BSW/iBSW programs.

Program Support and Collaboration
• Contribute to the development and improvement of student support services, advising resources, and student programming initiatives. Collaborate with the Undergraduate Affairs Coordinator and Director of Student Affairs to implement student success initiatives, workshops, and career development events.
• Serve on School of Social Work and campus committees related to undergraduate academic advising and student support. Act as a liaison with faculty and staff on matters related to undergraduate academic advising and curriculum review.
• Assist in compiling data related to undergraduate student progress and advising outcomes statistics for use in program assessment and strategic planning.

Recruitment and Outreach
• Support recruitment efforts for the BSW and iBSW programs by participating in inter-university recruitment events (e.g., Orange and Blue Days, Illini Days) and conducting outreach to prospective students. Work in collaboration with the Undergraduate Affairs Coordinator and Director of Student Affairs to implement in-person and virtual recruiting activities.
• Meet with prospective students and their families, providing information on program requirements, application procedures, and the field of social work. Engage in discussions to assess qualifications for entry into the social work major or minor, responding to queries as needed.
• Collaborate with the Undergraduate Affairs Coordinator and Director of Communications to create recruitment materials. Assist in maintaining databases and other tools to track recruitment progress and support efforts to meet enrollment goals.

Travel Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a closely related field. Experience working with culturally diverse groups.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Social Work. Two years of professional experience in academic advising, counseling, student affairs, recruitment, or career development in higher education.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of academic advising, career counseling, and student support services. Ability to work effectively with diverse student populations, including first-generation, underrepresented, and international students.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to manage a caseload of students, maintain accurate records, and support recruitment and student programming activities.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. Ability to convey complex academic policies and provide clear, concise guidance to students, families, and faculty.
• Proficiency in university systems such as Banner, DARS, and the advising portal system, along with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).