Academic Advisor, Elementary Education

Department: Col of Ed and Human Development

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is an innovative, inclusive, and cutting-edge college that successfully prepares professionals to promote learning and development across the life span while contributing meaningfully to research in human and organizational performance, as well as in the learning and developmental sciences. The college, with nearly 130 full-time faculty members and more than 300 part-time faculty members offers 27 academic programs, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition, faculty engage in an extensive portfolio of research and are fully engaged in the community. The CEHD is ranked among the top 100 Colleges of Education in the world by the Shanghai ranking of world universities and is among the top tier in the rankings of the US News and World Report.

About the Position:

The Academic Advisor plays an important role in facilitating academic progress and degree completion of undergraduate and graduate students in the Teaching and Learning unit’s of the Elementary Education program by communicating academic, clinical, and employment-related information to students, and assisting students with academic course planning and scheduling. The Academic Advisor works closely with the Interim Unit Lead and the Elementary Education Academic Program Coordinator, as well as with other student service professionals in the college.

Responsibilities:

• Advise Elementary Education undergraduate and graduate students from their initial experience as newly accepted students through graduation via face-to-face and virtual meetings, telephone, and email communication, and group advising;
• Facilitate new student orientations;
• Communicate academic, clinical, and employment-related information; assist students with academic course planning and scheduling; help students initiate academic actions including BAM transition forms; assist students with understanding the internship application process; maintain an advising record for each student; and identify and assist students who are academically at risk;
• Manage student and alumni listservs and communication;
• Run reports each semester to assist with tracking progress of each individual student and monitor GPAs of students in order to enforce the program GPA requirement;
• Connect students to campus resources and co-curricular opportunities to provide a holistic learning environment;
• Assist with the coordination of recruitment processes and represent the program at undergraduate recruitment/admissions events;
• Assist graduates with inquiries and issues, such as degree and licensure processes, and connecting them with appropriate personnel in the teacher prep office;
• Provide programmatic support to academic program coordinators and the unit lead on issues such as course scheduling, course issues and needs, and student issues and needs;
• Work with academic program coordinators, faculty, and the unit lead to address student issues and needs;
• Manage the application process to the program;
• Manage the program's Blackboard organization sites, update the program website, and update informational materials each year with any changes (info session videos for the website, student handbooks, advising documents, etc.);
• Support program and division events;
• Support the Elementary Ed Ambassadors;
• Serve as the program liaison to university and college advising committees;
• Build productive relationships with programs and personnel within the CEHD and across campus that support student well-being and university life;
• Serve as point person on transfer student initiatives including ADVANCE;
• Share relevant information with division director and academic program coordinator and faculty; and
• Complete other duties related to student academic progress and student success as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Previous experience as an academic advisor;
• Knowledge of academic advising theories and strategies;
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, time management, and coordination skills;
• Proactive problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to learn new tasks quickly;
• Excellent oral and written communication capabilities with diverse audiences; and
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively in a flexible and professional manner.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field; and
• Substantial previous experience as an academic advisor/counselor (typically five or more years).

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Academic Advisor, Elementary Education at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Posting Open Date:  November 12, 2025

Posting Close Date:  November 26, 2025