Academic Advisor

Department

Academic AdvisingThis position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

Number of positions

4 If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

• General Purpose Academic Advisors motivate, encourage, and empower students to take ownership of their academic journey.
• Academic Advisors are knowledgeable, approachable, and available staff members who play a key role in supporting student success.
• They are skilled in working with diverse student populations and foster a safe, welcoming environment where students feel comfortable discussing their goals, challenges, and concerns.
• Academic Advisors are generalists with deeper knowledge in specific degree programs.
• Advisors work as part of an advising team.
• This posting is for four (4) new Academic Advisor positions, with successful candidates joining one of the following advising teams:

Weingard Team: Supporting students programs tied to Computing, Commerce, Agriculture, and Environment

Engineering Team: Supporting Bachelor of Enginnering students

Summerlee Team: Supporting students programs tied to Science and Math

MacKinnon Team: Supporting students programs tied to Arts and Applied Science

Duties and Responsibilities

Academic Advising (90%) Provide academic advising and support to undergraduate students to promote academic success, timely progression, and informed decision-making.

Advise students on degree requirements, program options, course selection, and graduation eligibility

Meet with students individually (in person, virtually, or by email/phone) to provide academic guidance and interpret university policies and regulations

Support students with course load planning, program changes, academic difficulties, and progression concerns

Review and approve academic requests such as course substitutions, Letters of Permission, exchanges, withdrawals, and co-op sequencing changes

Complete graduation checks and maintain accurate, confidential advising records

Refer students to appropriate campus resources and services as needed

Contribute to advising initiatives, committees, professional development, and continuous improvement activities

Provide occasional operational or front-desk support as required

Recognize and appropriately respond to students exhibiting signs of distress or mental health challenges, providing support within the scope of the advising role and referring to campus resources as appropriate.

Deliver difficult or distressing academic information (e.g., academic standing, progression concerns) with empathy, professionalism, and clarity.

Recruitment, Retention, and Student Success Initiatives (10%)

Participate in new student orientation and transition programming

Represent academic advising at university recruitment events (e.g., Open Houses, Future Gryphon Days, virtual events)

Contribute to the development and implementation of student success and retention initiatives

Requirements: Undergratuate Degree with experience in Mental Health first aid (or similar training)

Active listening, counselling techniques and/or conflict mediation would be an asset.

2-3 years experience providing advising or counselling to students

Experience using Student Information System (ie Colleague/ Webadvisor), electronic filing system (ImageNow), email and web browsers

Exceptional interpersonal skills

Employee Type

• Regular
• Position
• Number: 10926499
• Classification: P&M FT- Band 04 Professional/Managerial Salary Bands The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 92% of midpoint for the salary grade. *Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review. At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.
• Posting
• Date: 05/15/2026

Closing Date: 05/29/2026