Brinson Honors College - Academic Advisor

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

Honors Advisors help students select proper courses, choose careers and appropriate majors, understand university academic policies and procedures, and cope with the transition to college. Honors Advisors are responsible for assisting with the university-wide development of a relationship-based model of academic advising in support of the educational success of the undergraduate student. Honors Advisors work to increase the yield and quality of incoming students, support retention efforts and advance graduation rates. Honors Advisors contribute to these efforts through their comprehensive knowledge of the academic and support programs of the University and a thorough understanding of student development theories in practice.

Honors Advisors support the development of the whole student through the delivery of the following duties and responsibilities:

• Serve as a first enrollment advisor for all incoming residential Honors students, including new first-year students, transfers, and re-entering students
• Continue as a primary advisor for residential Honors students with 0–45 completed hours
• Serve as the secondary advisor for residential Honors students with 46+ completed hours
• Provide developmental, academic advising to undeclared Honors students
• Collaborate with Career Services staff to provide general career counseling
• Represent Brinson Honors College at recruitment functions such as WCU on Tour, Open House and Honors Day
• Teach USI 101 Honors Forum courses as assigned
• Serve as liaison to assigned departments and be in regular contact with department heads and program directors
• Provide Honors advising information and support for the University community
• Assist with the development, revision, and updating of Brinson Honors College processes, forms, and publications
• Maintain appropriate advising records and documentation
• Participate in the assessment and evaluation of Honors advising and Brinson Honors College
• Participate in ongoing professional development and encourage the growth of colleagues
• Assist with website updates and maintenance
• Travel with students to conferences and events that include some evenings and weekends.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of the needs of Honors students and Brinson Honors College

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.
• Minimum of a Master's Degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with Honors students and an understanding of their unique needs
• Experience with Microsoft Office and knowledge of Banner preferred.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume, and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Emily Sharpe at easharpe@wcu.edu

AA/EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35471