Department

Job Posting Title

Job Description

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
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or four years of experience in lieu of degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s 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.

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.

Salary and Benefits:

• Bachelor’s degree - $36,000 per year (12-month contract).
• Master’s degree or higher - $39,000 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

[email protected]

Community of Hays

FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, 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 www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.