Academic Support Specialist & Advisor

Department

Crown Master's Program DOS

About the Department

As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff, and students focus on identifying solutions to complex social problems through research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions. More than 10,000 Crown Family School graduates in the US and globally hold leadership positions in academia, at nonprofits, in business, and at governmental agencies. The Crown Family School is the home of three academic centers: These include the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Kersten Institute for Urban Education, and the Center for Climate, Health, and Society (CHAS). More information may be found at https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/.

The Office of the Dean of Students supports students throughout their life cycle at the Crown Family School, in contribution to the school’s mission of working toward a more just and humane society. In our work with students, we believe in a student-first philosophy, an identity-conscious approach, and offer intentional and collaborative educational experiences that foster student success through career development, academic support, student engagement, and student advocacy efforts. Our office oversees: academic advising and support services, career development, leadership development, orientation, graduation, student organizations, and a host of administrative and community engagement opportunities for all students at Crown.

Job Summary

The Academic Support Specialist & Advisor position involves advising Social Work students within the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. These advising responsibilities include meeting with students as they make their course selection and plans for degree completion. During matriculation, the Advisor meets with students to provide advice on course selection, choice of pathway, planning academic programs, and making progress towards meeting graduation requirements. An Advisor also provides students with advice about personal challenges and regularly makes referrals to professionals elsewhere in the University. An Advisor participates in Crown initiatives, such as orientation and graduation. Advisors must be knowledgeable about the curriculum, University policies, multiple systems for tracking student information, and University resources for students. Assists the Dean of Students as needed.

The categories of job responsibilities and approximate percentages are as follows:

Advising, Student Support, & Administration: 50%
Student Engagement, Record Management & Retention: 30%
Graduation: 20%

Responsibilities

• Serves as primary academic advisor to 1st year students, advanced standing, and part-time students in social work program.

• Provide individualized academic advising to students on course selection, degree requirements, academic policies, and graduation planning.

• Support students in developing academic plans that reflect their goals, strengths, and areas for growth.

• Offer guidance on academic challenges, time management, study strategies, and navigating institutional structures, etc., etc.

• Refer students to appropriate campus services, including tutoring, writing support, counseling, financial aid, disability services, and student success offices.

• Conduct outreach to students experiencing academic difficulty, probation, or personal challenges affecting their coursework.

• Assist students in understanding curriculum options, program structures, prerequisite sequences, and pathways to completion.

• Advise on add/drop, withdrawals, leaves of absence, reinstatements, and pathway selection.

• Support students through key milestones such as orientation, midterm check-ins, registration, and graduation clearance.

• Follow up with students and faculty on missing and incomplete grades.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of academic programs, policies, catalog updates, and degree audits.

• Understands and interprets University policies and deadlines and accesses information through various electronic student-systems databases.

• Assist in planning of workshops or group advising sessions on topics such as academic planning, study skills, graduate school preparation, and University resources.

• Monitor student progress and coordinate interventions for student experiencing a crisis.

• Collaborate with campus partners to support equity, inclusion, belonging, and wellness initiatives.

• Document advising interactions and maintain accurate student records.

• Conduct quarterly degree audits to ensure timely graduation.

• Track academic progression and identify students needing additional support or follow-up.

• Generate reports related to advising trends, student outcomes, and other academic related needs.

• Serve as a resource to faculty, staff, and administrators on advising practices, student needs, and academic policy interpretation.

• Support new student orientation, recruitment events, and other departmental or institutional initiatives.

• Assist with coordinating graduation with the Registrar’s and Provost’s Offices.

• Assist with degree audit process and system for DOS.

• Assist with logistics of graduation events, including rehearsals, ceremony management, reception, and diploma distribution.

• Keeps records of student degree programs and notes on student conversations.

• Conducts regular meetings with students to discuss academic programs, choice of major, academic progress and career goals. Facilitates students' progress towards the degree.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Social Work, or related field.

Experience:

• 2–5 years of experience in academic advising, student affairs, student success, or related higher education roles.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse student populations.

• Knowledge of academic structures, degree planning, and student development principles.

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered practice.

• Experience with graduate programs, professional schools, or specialized populations.

• Familiarity with student information systems, degree audit tools, and Enterprise software.

• Experience supporting students and implementing proactive advising strategies.

Preferred Competencies

• Student-Centered Advising & Coaching.

• Cultural Humility & Equity-Minded Practice.

• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking.

• Organization & Multitasking.

• Relationship Building.

• Confidentiality & Professional Judgment.

• Communication & Advocacy.

• Critical thinking skills.

• Problem-solving skills.

• Decision making skills.

• Reasoning skills.

• Attention to detail.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work schedule, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

• References (upon request)

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$50,000.00 - $60,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting 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. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

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

 

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.

 

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