Professional Academic Advisor, Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics

The Professional Academic Advisor provides comprehensive student-centered academic advising that promotes student success retention persistence and timely degree completion. Working collaboratively with faculty staff and campus partners the advisor supports students in navigating academic requirements educational planning university policies and available resources. The advisor employs a holistic and developmental advising approach while utilizing student success technologies and data-informed practices to enhance student outcomes.

Enhancement for University Alignment
The Professional Academic Advisor utilizes a holistic developmental and student-centered approach to advising that empowers students to make informed decisions achieve their educational goals and develop the skills necessary for lifelong learning and career success.

Appointment: Full-Time 12-Month Position

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors degree from a regionally accredited institution or four years of experience in lieu of degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Experience in academic advising student affairs higher education or a related field.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of best practices in holistic and developmental academic advising.
• Understanding of student development theory and student success principles.
• Strong interpersonal verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to actively listen and respond effectively to student needs.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with students faculty staff and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational problem-solving and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as a collaborative team member.
• Proficiency in using student information systems advising technologies and data to support student success initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Academic Advising and Student Success

• Provide academic advising through multiple delivery methods including in-person virtual phone and electronic communication.
• Assist students in developing academic plans that support degree completion and career goals.
• Support student persistence and timely graduation through advising advocacy intervention and data-informed decision-making.
• Monitor student academic progress using reports alerts and other student success tools.
• Conduct proactive outreach to students regarding academic standing registration retention initiatives and university resources.
• Promote student engagement and involvement in academic and co-curricular opportunities.
• Assist students with major exploration academic planning and navigation of university processes.

Student Support and Advocacy

• Identify student needs and connect students with appropriate campus resources and support services.
• Advocate for student success while maintaining professional boundaries and institutional standards.
• Assist with academic reinstatement and other student success initiatives as appropriate.
• Interpret and communicate university college and Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) policies procedures and academic regulations.

Collaboration and Campus Engagement

• Advise students across the disciplines and demographic populations represented within the College and University.
• Collaborate with faculty administrators and campus partners to support student success initiatives.
• Provide guidance to faculty and administrators regarding curriculum requirements degree progression scheduling and time-to-completion considerations.
• Participate actively in new student orientation programs retention initiatives recruitment activities and college events.
• Contribute to a positive and student-focused advising culture within the College.

Records Reporting and Professional Development

• Utilize student success and academic information systems to maintain accurate advising records and documentation.
• Prepare and maintain reports related to advising outcomes student progress and retention efforts.
• Maintain current knowledge of university curricula degree requirements policies and procedures.
• Participate in professional development opportunities and remain informed of emerging trends and best practices in academic advising.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission of the College and University.

Salary and Benefits:

• Bachelors degree - $36000 per year (12-month contract).
• Masters degree or higher - $39000 per year (12-month contract).

To review our competitive benefit package please visit FHSU Benefits.

Appointment Date: Start date to be determined after acceptance of an offer and completion of a criminal background check.

Priority Deadline: October 15 2026. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately following the priority deadline and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Process: To apply for this position please visit FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents: Applicants must submit a current resume.

Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.

If you have questions regarding the position please contact:

Staci Kinderknecht Search Committee Chair

Community of Hays

FHSU is located in Hays a vibrant college town of approximately 20000 located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education health care professional services shopping culture and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement Hays Aquatic Park Smoky Hill Country Club Hays Municipal Golf Course and extensive walking running and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating fishing and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12 public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants major retail outlets a low unemployment rate and very short commute times the city provides a safe welcoming low-cost high-quality living environment for the residents who call Hays America home.

Notice of Non-discrimination: FHSU is committed to providing equal opportunity and access to its educational programs employment services and activities in compliance with federal and state nondiscrimination laws. FHSU prohibits discrimination harassment and retaliation on the basis of race color national origin ethnicity religion sex (including pregnancy sexual orientation and gender identity and expression) age disability genetic information marital status veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its programs activities admissions or employment.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or for further information on how this might affect you.