TRIO SSS Academic Advisor

Central Washington University is recruiting a TRIO SSS Academic Advisor to join our Academic Achievement Programs team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $48,000-53,000 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

The Role:

The TRIO SSS Academic Advisor is a grant-funded position responsible for providing academic advising, career counseling and support services to students in the TRIO SSS Program; assisting with graduate school admissions process; co-teaching or assisting with University 102 "Strategies for College Success" classes; facilitating workshops designed to help students develop effective academic habits and practical life skills; documenting student participation and progress; giving presentations to faculty and staff groups and/or visiting students; and performing other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Support Services (SSS). This position is funded by a federal grant through 8/31/2025. Though we expect to be funded for the next 5-year grant cycle, this funding is not guaranteed. We will be notified of our funding status by 7/1/2025. All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment.

- Maintain a caseload of TRIO SSS students and monitor their academic success; caseload is determined by the SSS grant and Director.
- Provide academic and career counseling and other support services to TRIO SSS students.
- Guide and support students in effective communication with CWU student services and academic departments.
- Complete intake and assess students' interests, needs and goals and develop meaningful and appropriate interventions and services to meet the needs of students.
- Assist students in the development and monitoring of Individual Success Plans.
- Assist students with the process of pursuing their major, understanding the curriculum and making effective academic progress. This includes analyzing and interpreting student data and placement results, advising students about degree and graduation requirements, course articulation, appropriate course loads and course selection; and consulting with and/or referring students to departmental or college advisors.
- Facilitate completion of applications for graduate school or professional school, summer research and internships.
- Provide information and assistance with locating and applying for Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (FAFSA), and resources for locating public and private scholarships.
- Maintain up-to-date and accurate Lacai (internal SSS database) and MyCWU student records and reports to document student participation and progress.
- Assist with the development and implementation of program activities that aid TRIO SSS students in their academic, career, and personal success.
- Connect TRIO SSS students to relevant CWU and community services.
- Assist with the direction and formulation of TRIO SSS Program policies, procedures, and services while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Co-teach or assist with University 102 course
- Facilitate strategies for college success workshops designed to help students develop and enhance effective academic habits and practical life skills.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education, counseling or related field.
• Experience working in a student service position in higher education.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of marginalized populations.
• Excellent organizational and time management and oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated willingness and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in education, counseling or related field.
• Experience working with special student populations such as nontraditional and underrepresented students and students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of learning strategies and ability to provide students with alternative methods and techniques for learning.
• Experience with federally-funded educational programs and university financial aid policies.
• Ability to facilitate an appropriate counseling session with diverse students who have a variety of needs.
• Background that provides evidence of overcoming barriers similar to those encountered by students in the TRIO SSS Program target populations.
• Computing and data management skills and experience using Student Information Systems for advising students and tracking degree progress.
• Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU's commitment to inclusion and diversity.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.
• Academic Advising Competencies:
  • Foundations knowledge: advising philosophy, theoretical frameworks, core values, knowledge of higher education issues.
  • Knowledge of college students and TRIO SSS students: General knowledge of college students and specific knowledge of first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities.
  • Career advising knowledge and skills: Knowledge of CWU departments and majors.
  • Communication and interpersonal skills: Demonstrate the ability to relate to and assist individuals and groups of designated students through the use of effective
  • Knowledge of application of advising at CWU: Institutional information, referral resources, graduation requirements, and technology use.
    

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Salary: This position has a minimum annual salary of $45,303.00 and maximum annual salary of $63,424.00. The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $48,000 - $53,000. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch) / This grant funded position is currently funded through August 31, 2025. Continuation of this position past 08/31/2025 is contingent upon renewed funding being obtained.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.