Job Description

Title: Academic Advisor
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Academic Advisor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences provides academic advising and student support to an assigned caseload of students across multiple academic programs at Illinois State University. The position guides students in meeting degree requirements and navigating university policies and procedures to support academic success and timely degree progression.

The Advisor is expected to have knowledge of Family and Consumer Sciences programs and a strong understanding of university academic requirements, including general education, teacher education, and major and minor plans of study. The position also supports student recruitment and retention, enrollment management, course scheduling, and departmental operations through collaboration with faculty, staff, and campus partners. The Academic Advisor reports directly to the Department Chairperson.

Student Advising and Success:

1. Provide comprehensive academic advising and support to an assigned caseload of students regarding course selection, registration, degree requirements, internships, professional practice experiences, career planning, and other academic and personal concerns that may affect student success.
2. Meet with students through scheduled appointments and walk-in advising sessions to address academic needs and connect students with appropriate resources.
3. Interpret and communicate university academic policies, procedures, and requirements, including general education, teacher education, and major and minor plans of study.
4. Maintain accurate and up-to-date student records, monitor academic progress, and document advising contacts, departmental communications, and related issues to ensure continuity of student support.
5. Advise and support transfer students through the Transfer Registration Program and provide accurate information regarding degree requirements and academic progress.
6. Identify students who may benefit from additional support and develop or implement interventions to promote academic success, persistence, and retention.
7. Provide student success support to students and other constituents who visit the departmental office during regular business hours.

Course Scheduling and Enrollment Support:

1. Coordinate and support course scheduling to meet student, faculty, and departmental needs.
2. Prepare and maintain reports related to course scheduling, including classroom utilization, faculty course loads across the academic year, and student enrollment by major and academic level.
3. Collaborate with program coordinators, the graduate coordinator, faculty members, professional staff, and campus partners to assess enrollment data and ensure course offerings align with student needs and program requirements.

Recruitment, Retention, and Enrollment Management:

1. Contribute leadership and support to departmental recruitment, retention, and enrollment management initiatives.
2. Represent the department at recruitment and retention events, including departmental award ceremonies, graduation receptions, University Open Houses, Redbird Receptions, and departmental showcases.
3. Deliver presentations to prospective students and families during Preview events and other campus recruitment activities.
4. Engage with prospective students and families, coordinate departmental tours, and arrange meetings with appropriate faculty members.
5. Identify and support students participating in special programs, including Honors and student-athlete programs.
6. Develop and implement strategies and initiatives to strengthen student engagement, persistence, and retention.

Departmental Administration and Institutional Service:

1. Serve on the Family and Consumer Sciences Department Curriculum Committee and other relevant institutional committees.
2. Support internal application processes, student evaluations, and curriculum administration.
3. Compile, prepare, and submit required internal and external reports.
4. Participate in professional development and training opportunities to maintain and enhance professional knowledge and skills.

Additional Information

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is one of six departments and two schools within the College of Applied Science and Technology. The Department is accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and offers five professional undergraduate programs: Fashion Design and Merchandising; Food, Nutrition and Dietetics; Human Development and Family Science; Interior Design; and FCS Teacher Education.

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/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$51,000 - $55,000 annual salary

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree.
2. Professional advising experience or demonstrated equivalent in directly related field.
3. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
4. Ability to multi-task and produce quality work under deadlines; organizational skills; detail-oriented; accurate record keeper.
5. Ability to work with diverse populations of students, peers, and public.
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to make effective public presentations and communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
7. Working knowledge of basic office software (word processing, e-mail systems, spreadsheets, student information systems, databases, etc.)
8. Ability to work independently, but also work cooperatively with faculty and staff with a learner-centered and service-oriented philosophy.
9. Knowledge of enrollment management policies and practices.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master's degree, preferably in a Family and Consumer Sciences program area, Education, College Student Personnel, or related field.
2. Experience with Student Information Systems, FCS and ISU curricular policies and procedures.
3. Advising experience in a complex department with multiple disciplines, preferably in areas related to Family and Consumer Sciences (Fashion Design and Merchandising; Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics; Human Development and Family Science; Interior Design; and FCS Teacher Education).

Work Hours

8-4:30 Monday - Friday. Occasional evening or weekend work.

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

Proposed Starting Date

November 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List (three professional references)

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.

Contact Information for Applicants

Jasmine Buckner
jsperki@ilstu.edu

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.