Working Title: Academic Advisor - Honors College

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Student Academic Success

Department: 100536 - University Advising

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 11/23/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Honors College seeks a highly motivated individual to join an experienced, respected, and student-centered team. In support of student academic success and engagement, University Advising team members are committed to the development of the whole student; offer expertise on curricular requirements and academic expectations; enhance student connections with the university and community; remain highly accessible and responsive to their students and multiple constituencies; actively collaborate with colleagues throughout the university and beyond; and engage in pursuits that ensure their own professional development.

This is a full-time, 12-month, Administrative and Professional Faculty position in the Honors College, reporting to the Director of University Advising.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advise current and prospective Honors students
• Provide general academic advising support for students and families seeking assistance and guidance through the Honors Advising office by e-mail, phone calls, and other outreach.
• Ensure access and responsiveness through regular communication with advisees, connecting students with campus resources and opportunities to foster a sense of community and enrich student experience.
• Help students formulate meaningful and appropriate academic plans and monitor academic progress based on their interests and goals, providing guidance on the General Education curriculum, degree requirements, selection of majors and minors, and academic opportunities.
• Assist with Honors College application review.
• Contribute to campus-wide initiatives and priorities, committees, orientation processes, and recruitment events.
• Serve as an advising resource for faculty and administrators, building and maintaining effective partnerships with academic departments and offices across campus.
• Contribute actively to the University Advising team and campus academic advising network through regular meetings, information sharing, and professional development opportunities.
• Utilize campus-wide advising technology and maintain electronic student records and accurate data.
• Collaborate to ensure updated online and print advising resources for students and colleagues.
• Oversee graduation applications.
• Assist with conference and symposia recruitment and planning.
• May teach and coordinate orientation seminars as needed.
• Work with Honors teaching fellows.
• Recruit and supervise the work of the Madison Advising Peers.
• Assist with scholarship support (Hillcrest and Witherspoon; study abroad scholarships)
• Assist with curriculum planning and management in the Honors College.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required
-Master’s degree.
-Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate meaningfully with undergraduates.
-Willingness to work independently, collaboratively, and under supervision.
-Excellent oral and written communication, time management, organizational and problem-solving skills.
-Ability to multitask and navigate integrated student information systems in a dynamic environment.  
-Exceptional work ethic.
-Demonstrated commitment to building a welcoming work environment.

Preferred
-Academic advising experience working directly with students in higher education.
-Experience advising in teacher education, teaching experience, or related experience
-Strong attention to detail combined with appreciation for the big picture.
-Familiarity with national trends and best practices in academic advising profession and higher education.
-Ability to multitask and navigate integrated student information systems in a dynamic environment.  
-Experience with learning, interpreting, and articulating complex academic requirements, policies, and procedures.

Additional Posting Information:

Required Documents to apply:
-Resume
-Cover Letter
-Advisor Philosophy (uploaded as "Other Document #1")


JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.