Job Description

Title: Academic Advisor
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Agriculture
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Academic Advisor serves as a primary student success professional within the Department of Agriculture by providing comprehensive academic advising, recruitment, retention, and student support services for undergraduate students across all departmental programs. The Advisor assists students in developing academic plans aligned with their educational and career goals while maintaining current knowledge of university policies, curriculum requirements, and agricultural career pathways. The position collaborates closely with faculty, staff, and university partners to support enrollment management initiatives, experiential learning opportunities, and student engagement efforts that contribute to student success and persistence.

Additional Information

The Department of Agriculture serves undergraduate students across multiple academic sequences and maintains strong connections with agricultural industry partners, alumni, and experiential learning opportunities. The Academic Advisor is expected to work collaboratively with faculty and staff to support departmental recruitment, retention, student success, and enrollment management goals. Regular interaction with students, prospective students, families, faculty, alumni, and industry stakeholders is expected.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$50,000-$55,000 Annual Salary

Required Qualifications

1. Master's degree at the time of appointment
2. Professional advising experience or demonstrated equivalent experience in higher education, student services, enrollment management, or a relate field.
3. Ability to work effectively with diverse student populations, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and external stakeholders.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present information and build collaborative relationships.
5. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
6. Demonstrated ability to work independently while also contributing positively within a collaborative, student-centered team environment.
7. Knowledge of student development principles and the challenges impacting today’s college students and their academic success.
8. Experience with student information systems, advising technologies, and standard office software applications.
9. Ability to analyze and interpret university, college, and departmental policies and effectively communicate those policies to students and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Previous academic advising experience in higher education.
2. Knowledge of agriculture and agricultural career pathways
3. Experience working with enrollment management, recruitment, retention, or student success initiatives.
4. Familiarity with Illinois State University policies, curriculum processes, and student information systems.
5. Experience coordinating experiential learning opportunities such as internships, field experiences, or professional development activities.
6. Demonstrated ability to develop positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and industry partners.
7. Experience working in or closely connected to the agriculture industry.

Work Hours

8 am - 4:30 pm, some night and weekend events.

Functional Expectations

Functional Expectations: Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis with students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

Proposed Starting Date

August 1, 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.
All AP Postings:
University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Contact Information for Applicants

Lucas D. Maxwell, ldmaxwe@ilstu.edu, 309/438-5654

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.