Description
The New Student Advisor provides proactive, high-touch academic and transitional guidance to new students during their first semester at the College, connecting them to registration, financial aid, orientation, and early academic planning support. This work is central to establishing early engagement, addressing barriers before they affect persistence, and preparing students for a successful transition to ongoing advising support beyond their first semester.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities (include, but not limited to)
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated on this description.
- Manage an assigned caseload of new students during their first semester, providing proactive outreach, registration support, and orientation to college resources and expectations.
- Provide guidance on initial course selection, placement, financial aid basics, and program requirements during the critical first-semester transition period.
- Identify students showing early signs of risk through the early alert protocol; apply timely, defined intervention methods to address attendance, academic, or personal barriers.
- Build rapport quickly with new students to establish trust and engagement during a high-stakes transition period.
- Execute the warm handoff process transitioning each student to their ongoing Advisor as their first semester concludes, ensuring continuity of support and documentation.
- Coordinate with Admissions, Financial Aid, and Orientation staff to ensure a consistent, well-supported new-student experience.
- Maintain accurate case management records and documentation in compliance with FERPA.
- Participate in college-wide orientation, retention, and first-year experience initiatives as assigned.
- Maintain current professional knowledge of first-year experience and retention theory through professional education and activities.
Minimum Qualifications
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Working knowledge of registration processes, financial aid basics, and academic program requirements.
- Ability to build rapport quickly with new students and establish trust during a high-stakes transition period.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage time and prioritize across multiple concurrent student needs within a single semester.
- Ability to use case management technology systems to document and track student interactions.
- Collaborative, team-oriented approach to working across campus departments.
- Ability to manage an assigned caseload
EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Communication, Social Science, Social Services, or a related field.
- Two (2) years of experience in advising, orientation, student services, or a related first-year experience role in higher education.
Supplemental Information
The New Student Advisor supports the Advising team and is fulltime and benefit eligible.
Hours
Hours are Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some evenings and weekends will be required. Flexibility may be needed based on department/College needs.
Application Details
All applicants must submit a completed application along with a current resume and cover letter.
Interviews
Candidates who advance in the hiring process will be invited to participate in an initial virtual interview on November 23. Candidates selected to move forward will be invited to an on-campus interview on December 2 or 3.
WCTC offers a wide range of outstanding benefits. Benefits include, but not limited to:
- Competitive compensation
- Comprehensive Benefits Package including health, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, supplemental life, flex spending accounts, and much more
- Generous time off and holiday schedule
- Eligibility in the Wisconsin Retirement System (ETF)
- Opportunities for professional growth and development (including tuition reimbursement, tuition waiver)
- Well-being activities to support personal and professional well-being
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain that authorization through employment. Verification of employment eligibility will be required upon hire. WCTC does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.