Academic Program Director Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Concordia is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and in the world.

Position Summary

The Academic Advisor supports undergraduate students from matriculation through graduation by providing clear, accurate, and student-centered academic advising. This role helps students understand degree requirements, navigate university policies and procedures, make informed academic decisions, and remain on track toward timely degree completion.

The advisor serves as an educator, guide, and partner in the student experience, helping students connect their academic choices, co-curricular involvement, and vocational interests with their broader educational and professional goals. Through this work, the advisor contributes to student persistence, retention, and graduation.

This position is housed in the Office of Undergraduate Advising, reports to the Director of Undergraduate Advising, and collaborates closely with faculty, program directors, and staff within an assigned academic school. The advisor manages a caseload of approximately 300 undergraduate students spanning the first year through senior year. The advisor is an active partner in achieving 80%+ university retention and 70%+ 6-year graduation rates.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Academic Advising and Student Support

The Academic Advisor:

• Provides academic advising to students in person, by phone, and through virtual platforms such as Zoom.
• Maintains current knowledge of academic policies, procedures, curriculum requirements, and university resources.
• Assists students with course planning, registration, and interpretation of degree requirements.
• Develops individualized academic plans using Student Educational Plans, the academic catalog, and other advising tools.
• Supports new student onboarding through course registration and placement-testing processes.
• Communicates regularly with assigned students through email, phone, text, and scheduled meetings.
• Maintains timely responsiveness to student questions and concerns, generally within 24 hours or within 48 hours during peak periods.
• Documents advising interactions and recommendations in Navigate.
• Meets with each assigned advisee at least annually.
• Guides students through academic decisions such as major and minor changes, individualized majors, and related planning processes.
• Encourages students to take ownership of their educational experience and make thoughtful, informed decisions.
• Refers students to appropriate campus resources when additional support is needed, including financial aid, student employment, and academic support services.
• Identifies and promotes opportunities for involvement in campus programs and activities related to students' academic interests.
• Monitors student progress toward graduation and communicates important milestones and benchmarks.
• Collaborates with academic departments regarding course availability and planning.
• Facilitates exit interviews for students considering withdrawal from the university.
• Maintains confidentiality of student information in accordance with institutional policy and FERPA regulations

Academic Coaching and Risk Intervention

The Academic Advisor:

• Maintains strong responsiveness to the Navigate Alert System.
• Facilitates student success check-in meetings in response to alerts or emerging concerns.
• Connects students in academic jeopardy with appropriate support services and intervention resources.
• Helps students strengthen personal responsibility, resilience, and confidence in their academic progress.

Vocational and Educational Exploration

The Academic Advisor:

• Assists students in exploring their interests, aptitudes, abilities, and academic goals.
• Uses available inventories and advising tools to support academic and vocational exploration.
• Helps students connect academic planning with experiential learning and future opportunities.
• Collaborates with faculty and campus partners to support students' broader development and sense of purpose.

Collaboration, Service, and Professional Contribution

The Academic Advisor:

• Collaborates with faculty, program directors, and campus stakeholders to support effective advising and student success initiatives.
• Attends department meetings for assigned academic programs, as appropriate.
• Contributes to advising initiatives, student experience projects, and other departmental priorities.
• Develops expertise in one or more nationally recognized areas of advising practice.
• Maintains proficiency in relevant university systems and technologies, including Banner, Canvas, Outlook, Degree Works, Navigate, and BoodleBox/AI.
• Participates in team, divisional, and university-wide initiatives and events.
• Maintains accurate caseload records and provides updates as required.
• Works a hybrid schedule that includes 2–3 regularly scheduled in-office days each week.
• Performs additional duties as assigned, including occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Service Expectations

The Academic Advisor is expected to demonstrate a high standard of service that is:

• Conscientious
• Courteous
• Enthusiastic
• Respectful
• Inclusive
• Professional
• Christ-like

This role should consistently reflect care for students, sound professional judgment, and a strong commitment to student development and institutional mission.

Physical Demands/Equipment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Technology –Proficiency in using Banner, Canvas, Canvas/Pyramid Analytics, Degree Works,Navigate, Zoom; AI familiarity and usage
• Relational -Response time, Regular outreach, Rapportbuilding, Office environment
• Conceptual –Purpose, expectations, mission fit, strategic planning
• Informational –advising policies, university curriculum, student populations
• Personal –Professional development, professional competence, cultural competence
• Supportive of the mission and values of Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required
• 1-3 years of experience with advising or teaching

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt (salary) staff position. The starting wage may be determined upon education and/or experience. Concordia University benefit options include, but are not limited to the following:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Personal Spending Account, Flexible Spending Account, and/or Health Savings Account
• Disability and Survivor Plan
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
• Basic Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage
• Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Tuition waiver benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)

Compensation and Benefits (Click to View)

Application Instructions

To receive full consideration, all applicants are asked to complete and submit an online employment application through the Concordia University Employment page. To begin, please click the Apply Now section on the job page and then click the Apply For This Position button to begin the application process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of CU to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The University will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, gender, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

However, CU is an institution of the LCMS and, to the extent allowed by law, CU reserves the right to give preference in employment based on religion. In addition, preference in holding certain employment positions is given to ordained or rostered ministers of the LCMS. Based on a religious tenet, CU recognizes only male, LCMS ordained Ministers of the Gospel, but recognizes both male and female LCMS Rostered Ministers of the Gospel.

The Human Resources Department has been appointed to manage the equal employment opportunity, including all equal employment opportunity activities, as required by federal, state and local agencies. If any employee or applicant for employment believes this policy has been violated, he/she must contact the Director of Human Resources.

Concordia University is a HLC accredited, co-educational, liberal arts school offering more than 72 undergraduate majors, over 35 master's degree programs, and 5 doctoral programs. There are also a variety of accelerated evening and e-learning programs.