Job Summary Table of Academic Advising

Academic Advising Career Opportunity Overview

The Associate Director of Academic Advising and Academic Support at the Harris School of Public Policy plays a pivotal role in shaping the academic experience of master’s students while overseeing critical academic support programs. This position reports directly to the Associate Dean of Students for Academic Services and Advising within the Harris Dean of Students Office.

As the successful candidate, you will join a highly collaborative, high-performing, and student-focused team dedicated to enhancing the overall student experience at Harris. This position offers a fulfilling opportunity for a dedicated professional who is passionate about student success and academic excellence.

Key Academic Advising Responsibilities

• Academic Program Leadership: Own the end-to-end planning and execution of the School’s largest pre-enrollment academic support programs—Math and Coding Camp and the invite-only Jumpstart Bridge Program—serving 400+ incoming students annually. These programs are instrumental in preparing students for the rigorous Core curriculum while fostering community connections.

• Academic Support Program Management: Lead the Pre-Orientation Working Group with strong project management skills, providing guidance for team members and ensuring follow-through on all tasks. Collaborate with instructional teams comprising full-time faculty, PhD students, Harris staff, and numerous Teaching Assistants.

• Teaching Assistant Coordination: Work with the Harris TA Program Director to recruit and hire instructors and TAs for academic support programs. Create program schedules, reserve instructional spaces, and assign registered students to appropriate sections.

• Student Assessment Facilitation: Develop and facilitate math and coding self-assessments to provide incoming students with accurate placement recommendations. Manage the RSVP process and communicate enrollment data to key stakeholders.

• Student Communication Management: Oversee all communications to incoming students, including website updates and using Slate to create events, build forms, and send email blasts. Lead information sessions about academic programs and coordinate with staff involved in orientation to ensure alignment with other activities.

• Tutoring Program Leadership: Manage the Harris Tutoring Program serving master’s students, including hiring and supervising over a dozen student tutors each quarter. Coordinate with instructional teams for Harris Core and Data Analytics Courses while managing tutor onboarding, scheduling, and payment processing.

• Student Achievement Celebration: Plan and execute events celebrating student achievement, particularly during exam weeks, to foster a positive academic environment and support student morale.

Academic Advising and Student Support

• Personalized Academic Advising: Serve as the primary academic advisor to 125-175 master’s students, utilizing a holistic and student-centered advising approach. Conduct intake advising meetings with all advisees at the beginning of the academic year.

• Comprehensive Student Support: Function as the first point of contact for all advisee needs, with knowledge of financial aid, billing, registration, and campus services. Monitor each student’s progress toward degree completion and conduct graduation degree audits.

• Curriculum Expertise: Develop extensive knowledge about Harris curriculum and courses in other University divisions to effectively guide student course selection. Identify and communicate student needs to the Harris Dean of Students to shape curriculum and co-curricular offerings.

• International Student Support: Provide specialized assistance for Harris’ large international student population, including help with CPT and OPT paperwork and serving as a liaison to the Office of International Affairs.

• Crisis Management: Support advisees experiencing crisis or extenuating circumstances with compassion and appropriate resources. Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Students on complex student cases including leaves of absence.

Student Communication and Resources Management

• Information Resource Management: Maintain and regularly update the Harris Student Handbook Canvas site, ensuring this comprehensive resource remains current and valuable for students.

• Onboarding Communications: Work with the Associate Dean of Students to create and execute communications to admitted students about onboarding programs, pre-orientation events, and preparation for Autumn quarter.

• Website and Publication Management: Monitor and update information related to the Dean of Students’ Office on the Harris website. Create engaging advertising and communications for programming and events.

• Joint-Degree Program Coordination: Serve as the main point of contact for other University Schools and Divisions’ joint-degree programs, recommending process improvements where needed.

Benefits and Perks

• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement benefits with university contributions
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule
• Access to university facilities and resources
• Professional development opportunities
• Work-life balance with hybrid work arrangement
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students’ educational journeys
• Collaborative and supportive work environment

Company Overview

Why Policy? For a Better World.

The Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago is committed to better policymaking through evidence-based approaches. At Harris, faculty and students work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using cutting-edge technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society.

The school conducts rigorous inquiry in an environment that encourages innovation and risk-taking. Through collaboration across private, public, and nonprofit sectors, Harris adopts new methodologies to drive better solutions. The school actively engages with the city, the world, and leaders every day to evaluate and test ideas, leading with passion for driving meaningful social change.

Company Culture

The Harris School fosters a collaborative, high-performing, and student-focused environment where faculty, staff, and students work together to address complex policy challenges. The school values academic excellence, innovation, diversity of thought, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

Staff members are encouraged to contribute their ideas, take initiative, and grow professionally while supporting the academic and personal growth of students. The Dean of Students Office, where this position is housed, is particularly dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive community for all Harris students.

Career Growth Opportunities

This position offers significant opportunities for professional development and career advancement within academic administration and student affairs. The Associate Director will gain expertise in academic advising, program management, and student services while working at one of the world’s premier research universities.

The role provides exposure to various aspects of higher education administration, allowing for skill development in areas such as student advising, crisis management, event planning, and program development. The Harris School’s commitment to excellence ensures that staff members have access to resources and opportunities to enhance their professional capabilities.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The University of Chicago and the Harris School are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where all students, faculty, and staff feel valued and respected. The Associate Director will play a key role in supporting students from diverse backgrounds, including a significant international student population, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive academically and personally.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.

Remote Work Policy

This position is classified as hybrid, combining on-campus presence with remote work flexibility. The exact schedule will be determined in consultation with the Associate Dean of Students, balancing the needs of students with staff work-life considerations. During peak periods like orientation and pre-orientation programs, more on-campus time may be required.

Application Process

1. Submit your resume/CV through the University of Chicago’s online application system
2. Complete any additional application questions or requirements
3. If selected, participate in interview process with the hiring team
4. Final candidates may be asked to provide references or additional materials

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply online through the University of Chicago’s career portal. When applying, all required documents must be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Required application documents: – Resume/CV

Apply Now

Additional Information

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

For more information about safety and security at the University of Chicago, please review the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.

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