Position Overview
A student support advisor is an individual who is hired by academic facilities (usually schools and colleges) to provide student bodies with information on procedures and policies of the facility and to assist them throughout their academic journey.
These individuals strive to improve student participation, success, and retention by working closely and in sync with faculty and academic support services.
The main idea behind hiring a student support advisor is to deliver a comprehensive range of information, advice, and guidance that promotes student well-being and safety.
Education
A student support advisor has to possess a degree in communications or a similar discipline, which will serve to be sufficient to be considered for the position of student support advisor. Having worked in a similar capacity before will of course be considered a great plus.
Skills & Qualifications
The ability to work effectively across diverse teams, knowledge of counseling services, deep insight into academic placement work, and exceptional communication skills are all required to work successfully in this position.
The ability to work under pressure, especially on tight deadlines is also one of the main things that employers look at when screening an individual for the position of a student support advisor.
Student Support Advisor Duties and Responsibilities
• Engage identified students in conversation to determine their specific backgrounds and academic aspirations.
• Guide and monitor students’ progress in issues such as orientation, course selection, and online course navigation.
• Act as the main point of contact for all inquiries and problems regarding academic issues.
• Contact new students to conduct learning preparedness assessments and communicate course information and required course materials.
• Evaluate students’ abilities, interests, and personalities, aiming to provide regular guidance and support activities.
• Provide timely responses to students’ inquiries to ensure that their problems or issues are timely resolved.
• Acclimate new students to the learning environment by leading webinars and orientation calls.
• Provide advice to students on the institute’s administrative matters such as registration, withdrawal, course materials, and financial aid.
• Create and maintain accurate and complete student enrollment records by following the institute’s laws and regulations.
• Identify at-risk behaviors in students and coordinate efforts to secure additional support and counseling for them.
• Implement re-engagement initiatives to bring inactive students back into their initial choice of programs.
• Facilitate students’ requests for assistance by arranging additional academic tutoring services and referring them to appropriate individuals or departments.
• Analyze acquired student data to identify triggers that indicate a need for proactive outreach, aiming to obtain a better understanding of challenges and success.