The Director of Academic Advising provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all advising activities within the College of Arts and Sciences—the largest advising unit at the university. Reporting to the Dean and working closely with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Student Success, the Director is responsible for leading a team of approximately 18 professional academic advisors who support a diverse and expansive student population across a broad range of academic disciplines.

This position is charged with shaping and implementing a student-centered advising vision that aligns with institutional goals and national best practices. The Director oversees the recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, and professional development of advising staff; leads efforts in performance evaluation and continuous improvement; and ensures that the college’s advising programs are consistent with the university’s standards for quality, equity, and effectiveness.

As a senior member of the college’s leadership team, the Director collaborates with faculty, department chairs, and central advising leadership to foster student success through data-informed initiatives, advising strategies, and coordinated cross-unit efforts. During a time of organizational transition, the Director plays a critical role in guiding the advising unit forward—realigning structures, clarifying roles, and supporting staff through change while maintaining continuity of service and a strong commitment to student-centered advising. This leadership is essential to ensuring the advising program not only adapts to change but also emerges more cohesive, resilient, and responsive to the evolving needs of students and the college.

• Provide strategic leadership for academic advising in the College of Arts and Sciences, guiding the largest advising unit at the university in alignment with institutional priorities and best practices.
• Supervise and support a team of approximately 18 professional academic advisors, ensuring high-quality, student-centered advising across a broad and diverse range of disciplines.
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, supervision, and performance evaluation of advising staff, with a focus on continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Ensure the College of Arts and Sciences advising team is aligned with USU advising practices, policies, procedures, and initiatives that promote student retention and timely graduation.
• Collaborate with the Dean, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Student Success, department chairs, faculty, and university advising leadership to ensure coordinated and effective advising services.
• Utilize data-informed approaches to assess advising outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and support strategic decision-making.
• Foster a culture of consistency, fairness, and accountability within the advising team and across departments.
• Guide the advising unit through organizational transition, including the realignment of structures and roles, while maintaining continuity of service and strengthening unit cohesion.
• Represent the College of Arts and Sciences in university-wide advising initiatives, committees, and communities of practice.
• Stay current on national trends in academic advising and higher education, and bring forward innovative practices to enhance the advising experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree plus five years of advising experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in academic advising or related student services within higher education.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop professional advising staff in a collaborative and student-centered environment.
• Broad knowledge of USU academic programs, general education and graduation requirements, student services, university policies and procedures, academic standing, and other related policies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree plus five years of academic advising experience
• 3 years of related administrative experience.
• Evidence of fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement among advising staff.
• Knowledge of advising theory and creativity in providing alternatives in the delivery of advising services to students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of leadership practices and the ability to lead a large team.
• Knowledge and understanding of a specialized area/program/process of advising.
• Ability to lead training and day-to-day efforts of advising staff.
• Ability to work with students in 1:1 or group advising settings.
• Ability to assess the success of programs/coordination areas and manage budgets.
• Ability to learn and maintain current knowledge of complex program requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in a variety of current and emerging technology platforms.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills, including excellent writing, editing, and public speaking
• Ability to work independently, build relationships with external units, speak in front of large audiences, and communicate institutional policies, procedures, and language to the general population.
• Ability to make complex decisions, identify issues within area of coordination, problem solve, resolve, and communicate issues and their resolutions with advisors and administrators.
• Ability to use professional judgement in ambiguous situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and changing needs.
• Good organizational skills, including the ability to work well under pressure and with multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to foster a positive team environment.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

3. Leadership Philosophy to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

4. Contact information for Professional reference 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 07/2025

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 06/2025