Boston, Massachusetts
Posted: 29-Apr-25
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Employment Type:
Organization Type:
STATUS: Full Time
DIVISION: Enrollment Services
REPORTS TO: Director of Academic Advising & Registrar
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
Position Description
The CCS Academic Advisor position has the following key roles within the Academic Advising & Registration Office:
- Advise a caseload of approximately 300 – 350 students from undergraduate programs; responsible for providing general academic advising and registration services to current, returning and readmitted students; participate in current student advising sessions and events;
- Assist with New Student Enrollment and First Year Advising procedures and events; provide advising & registration services to incoming students through preregistration and first year targeted advising sessions and orientation;
- Actively participate in retention and strategic planning initiatives that 1) support AARO department goals, 2) aid in student success, 3) contribute to enhanced enrollment and student experience efforts
- Understand and communicate college policies, curriculum requirements; be informed of curriculum changes and impacts on academic planning; work with Director/Registrar regarding updates to assigned academic programs;
- Provide registration assistance as required to assist with enrollment, withdrawals, registration permissions, approvals, etc.
This role requires collaboration within the CCS Advising team to support and promote student academic success and assist with all aspects of academic planning while encouraging student self-sufficiency and empowerment through proactive advising.
This position will also serve as a liaison for assigned academic departments and works closely with other partner offices across campus to provide exceptional service that enhance the student experience.
Enrollment Services staff participate in student engagement activities, Commencement, retention efforts, and college initiatives as required by position and work to maintain a welcoming, supportive and professional environment.
Position Accountabilities and Essential Functions
Current, Returning, and Readmitted Student Advising
- Accurately advise an assigned caseload of undergraduate students on major goals, curriculum and relevant issues, course selection and degree planning year round.
- Monitor and track student progress towards degree completion (at midterm, end of term); audit academic evaluations to ensure students are following curriculum and assess potential problems; apply advising holds where applicable; assess student needs and collaborate outreach with departments as required in support of academic success.
- Contribute to planning and execution of registration workshops, group advising sessions, social media posts and other communication/marketing related tasks that promote academic advising & registration events, student opportunities and advising/degree planning related information.
- Actively participate in required advising sessions, registration events, academic department meetings and various student events as necessary or as directed by supervisor; enhance student/advisor connection and build understanding of trends/expectations within the major and career/industry.
- Act as liaison for assigned major departments; communicate department updates or other notifications that impact the student experience, registration, or degree progress to the Director/Registrar and Advising/AARO team.
- Assist with degree audit review of potential graduates and other graduation processes as needed.
- Provide transfer credit consultations to current students; explain transfer guidelines, procedures and impacts on degree completion
- Maintain an open door policy for all students needing assistance; provide general advising & registration assistance as needed.
New Student Enrollment & First Year Academic Advising
- Process new student files and follow procedure to complete accurate registration and semester preparation for incoming students; includes thorough review of transfer credit evaluations and other credits/scores that impact degree requirements and planning.
- Provide guidance on use of CCS platforms, Self-Service and Student Planning; to support advising and registration functions and to promote student self-sufficiency for registration and course planning.
- Contribute to the first year student process by conducting first year workshops and advising sessions as required.
- Work and/or present at events such as New Student Orientation, Admissions Open House events, etc.
Retention & Strategic Planning Initiatives
- Advise at-risk, probation, and conditionally admitted students by following appropriate advising procedures and communication methods (phone, email, U.S. mail); develop academic plans that connect students to resources;
- Respond to Early Alerts or other inquiries by faculty or staff in timely manner regarding student concerns; submit appropriate referrals and follow-up to aid in students’ success and retention efforts.
- Assist with evaluation of advising program and procedures; contribute to AARO improvement initiatives to reach office goals and/or support strategic planning efforts.
Curriculum & College Policies
- Be proficient in CCS Undergraduate programs and curriculum requirements
- Understand offerings of all CCS academic levels and degree program opportunities
- Participate in the review of new programs, courses, curriculum changes and impacts on registration and degree planning.
- Contribute to and assist with notifications to students (as needed) regarding curriculum changes.
- Utilize the CCS policy database and Academic Catalog to confirm college policies
Registration & Records
- Work with a high level of accuracy interpreting degree audits, academic transcripts, course requirements, grades and credits in Ellucian Colleague, Self-Service (Student Planning and My Progress).
- Assist with program and registration changes; use and process forms that coordinate with the appropriate advising and/or registration procedures (withdrawals, add/drop, permission approvals, referrals, probation, etc.).
- File all student records and meeting documentation using SoftDocs student records platform.
- Uphold confidentiality of all student records by adhering to the FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) policy.
General Office
- Document all academic planning, advising meeting notes, student interactions, or concerns using the student record systems and following FERPA guidelines and Advising notes best practices (Colleague, Student Planning, and Degree Audit).
- Provide excellent customer service to incoming students, current students, prospective students, visitors, guests, staff and faculty; clarifying college policies, procedures and directing inquiries to appropriate office/departments for assistance; send referrals as needed.
- Maintain proficiency in use of the College’s administrative database for student records, reporting systems, and engagement platforms, (Colleague, Informer, etc).
- Work cooperatively with the Director/Registrar, Assistant Director First Year Advising, the CCS Advising Team, the AARO team and across campus with students, Enrollment Services Offices, Program Managers, Chairs, Faculty, Mentors and other Student Support Services.
- Participate in professional development activities that enhance academic advising outcomes.
- Assist with Academic Advising and Registration general office support (phone coverage, filing, front desk coverage), as required.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree in College Student Personnel or related field is strongly preferred.
- 3-4 years Higher Education experience required. Academic Advising experience preferred.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a high level of tact, empathy and diplomacy.
- Ability to work diplomatically and effectively with faculty, staff, and students, and to use sound judgment.
- Ability to lead and participate in presentations for student groups and/or for department initiatives.
- Ability to handle high stressful situations with professionalism.
- Ability to adapt to changing environment of higher education.
- Understanding of academic degree requirements; transfer credit review and placement process; credit for prior learning.
- Detail oriented with outstanding organizational, problem solving and multi-tasking skills.
- Proficient computer skills are required in MS Word, Excel, and Google Suite.
- Experience in some or all of the following is preferred: Ellucian Colleague, Self Service/Student Planning, SoftDocs, Canva, Modern Campus Texting and Student Engagement platforms, use of transfer equivalency platforms.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: This job operates in a professional office and college campus environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually. Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required. The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places. The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required. CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About CCS
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a nonprofit, private college authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. CCS, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. CCS fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.
To apply
Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format: Resume and a letter of application should be submitted to: hr@collegeforcreativestudies.edu
CCS website: http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/
The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value the diversity this brings to our organization. CCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, height, weight, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are part of our Core Institutional Values and we encourage applications from all individuals.