Senior Academic Advisor

Position: Senior Academic Advisor - 241042
Location: Cullowhee

Senior Academic Advisor - 241042

Western Carolina University

Department: Office of the Dean, Engineering & Technology

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including: 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.

2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan.

Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.

Paid vacation and sick leave accrual begin after first month of employment. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

The College of Engineering and Technology (CET) at Western Carolina University (WCU) is growing! The University has received substantial support from the North Carolina legislature to expand engineering to meet the rapidly growing needs of the region and state. Our construction management, engineering, and engineering technology programs feature project-based learning embedded throughout the curricula, preparing our students for professional practice and advanced study.

Industry engagement is a hallmark of our programs, and we pride ourselves on having faculty with significant industry experience. Our culture embraces faculty-student interaction through experiences such as undergraduate research. We are committed to changing the lives of our students and their families through a transformative experience at our rural main campus setting in the mountains of western North Carolina, and at sites in Asheville and across western NC.

The college's programs are instrumental to the economic vitality of the region and are advancing the university to be one of the nation's premier regional comprehensive institutions. We are creating leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs with the foundation and skills needed for transformative careers in engineering and beyond.

The Senior Academic Advisor plays a vital role in supporting the College of Engineering & Technology (CET) by guiding students towards graduation success. This position serves as the primary point of contact for first-year students during enrollment, offers ongoing academic advising to all CET students, and supervises support staff within the college. The advisor also fosters strong relationships with faculty and staff by collaborating with departments and program directors.

A generalized list of duties includes:

• Serve as a first enrollment advisor for new first-year students
• Provide developmental, academic advising to CET students with a focus on retention and persistence to graduation
• Represent The College of Engineering and Technology…