Academic Advisor, Pre-Professional Pathways Coordinator

Overview

The Academic Advisor, Pre-Professional Pathways Coordinator, works as a member of the LSUS Student Success Center, performing a range of tasks enhancing and supporting our academic advising team and students. The primary responsibilities include serving as a generalist advisor for undergraduate students across all majors and backgrounds, while also coordinating specialized programs and initiatives focused on pre-professional pathways.

Key coordination duties involve partnering on outreach programs designed to ensure students are informed about undergraduate major options aligned with their career aspirations and the requirements for entry into professional schools, as well as pre-professional support programs that prepare students for the academic expectations and application processes necessary for professional school admissions.

Reports to the Assistant Director of Academic Advising, Special Populations, and is a full-time, unclassified position. This summary is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive description of duties and responsibilities.

About Us: The Student Success Center at LSU Shreveport champions student-centered excellence, offering comprehensive resources, services, and programs – including Academic Advising, Academic Success, Career Services, First-Year Experience, and more – to promote a smooth transition, build academic and life skills, foster persistence and resilience, and empower goal-oriented success.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
  • (LSUS values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply – a degree is not required if the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.)
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in areas such as student success, academic or career advising, or other roles in higher education.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Advanced degree in student personnel services, higher education administration, psychology, counseling, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in academic advising, particularly relevant to students pursuing professional school tracks.
• Familiarity with admissions processes and requirements for medical, occupational therapy, and other health professions schools.
• Experience in teaching college-level courses or workshops connected to career preparation and professional development.

• Strong ability to assess and address student needs through empathy, active listening, and critical thinking while considering diverse backgrounds.
• Comprehensive understanding of academic advising principles and their impact on student achievement and readiness for competitive professional programs.
• Effective time management and organizational skills to manage a diverse caseload.
• Attention to detail and strong administrative skills related to program coordination and student documentation.
• Proven ability to foster relationships across university departments and with external stakeholders.
• Capacity to perform under pressure while maintaining professionalism and delivering excellent customer service.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with a commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students.

Academic Advising & Student Support

• Serve as a university-wide academic advisor, guiding students in course selection, degree planning, and academic progress across diverse majors and classifications.
• Conduct individual advising sessions to assist students in understanding academic requirements, course equivalencies, and academic planning.
• Administer and interpret assessment tools (e.g., College Student Inventory, Appreciative Advising Inventory, Focus 2 Career) to better understand student needs and tailor interventions.
• Incorporate career readiness initiatives into academic advising, encouraging students to engage in internships, experiential learning, and networking opportunities.

Program Coordination for Pre-Professional Populations

• Collaborate with campus offices to create and promote programs that inform students of undergraduate majors aligned with their interests and professional school goals (e.g., law school or medical school).
• Partner with faculty and Career Services to develop co-curricular support programs that enhance student understanding of professional school application processes, including workshops and networking opportunities for competitive career fields.
• Actively engage with pre-professional pathway students to promote available preparation programs and resources, ensuring they are well-informed about academic and application requirements to meet their goals.
• Work with the Academic Success team to motivate the utilization of support services, essential academic skill development, and effective study habits that ensure students' academic records meet professional program admission…