Veterans Academic Advisor- Veterans Upward Bound

Department: Veteran Student Support Services

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Pay: Range between $17.75 -20.20/hr, determined by qualifications & other aspects

Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 8a-5p

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story:

Your Mission-

You’ll work exclusively with military-affiliated students, providing wraparound services, start-to-finish support, from certification of benefits to graduation and beyond. When veteran and military-affiliated students transition into college life, they often face unique challenges related to academic planning, benefit navigation, and adjustment to civilian and campus culture. This role provides individualized academic guidance and support to help these students succeed. This is not a transactional advising role. You’ll serve as a constant throughout a student’s academic journey; someone they can trust to help them navigate both higher education systems and other military benefit programs with clarity and care.

If you understand that military-affiliated students don’t need generic advice, they need someone who understands military dynamics and navigation. You will excel if you possess the following:

• Advising experience and a strong understanding of higher education processes, including class selection and degree planning.
  
• Military experience or a military-affiliated background (strongly preferred).
  
• Working knowledge of VA education benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation, &/or a willingness to learn quickly.
  
• Exceptional organizational skills to manage caseloads, documentation, and compliance requirements.
  
• Strong rapport-building abilities paired with excellent note-taking and follow-up habits. 
• A calm, professional presence; someone who is trusted with complex, high-stakes situations.

If you’re motivated by service, energized by meaningful one-on-one work, and committed to helping military-affiliated students succeed on their own terms, this role offers purpose, impact, and the chance to make a lasting difference.

Serve those who’ve served by helping them build what comes next and apply now!

Job Summary:

Advises students concerning their academic plans, progress, and academic and career goals in order to assist students in making personal education decisions and meeting graduation requirements. Interprets student needs and provides individualized service and assistance while maintaining confidentiality.

Essential Functions:

Provides students with information on how to complete their college degree and refers students to appropriate campus and community services and resources when needed. Serves as a resource person to faculty and others with regard to academic advising policies and procedures. May review and optimize procedures as needed. May assist in the development of and participates in recruitment and retention activities related to the student population such as monitoring educational progress and/or providing application or other assistance. May maintain confidential student records and personal information. May conduct or participate in seminars, workshops or orientation sessions for students on academic, career and personal success strategies and other group activities.

Job Duties:

Assist students in developing academic plans aligned with their educational and career goals, ensures proper use of VA and military education benefits, and connects students with campus and community resources.
Collaborates with faculty and staff to promote veteran-inclusive practices and contribute to a supportive campus environment.
Serve as a liaison to ensure students receive access to campus resources and opportunities.
Managing caseloads, tracking academic progress, and maintaining accurate documentation.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• One (1) year of experience in student services or related field. Every 15 hours of graduate college coursework beyond a bachelor's degree can be substituted for one (1) year of experience.

Required License/Certifications/Training:

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Understanding degree requirements, academic standing policies, transfer credit evaluation, and registration processes.
• Awareness of the military lifestyle, rank structure, deployment cycles, and the challenges of transitioning to civilian and student life.
• Understanding of student privacy regulations and how to appropriately handle sensitive information (FERPA).
• Awareness of how experiences like combat service, PTSD, or reintegration stressors may impact student success.
• Ability to guide students through academic planning, goal setting, and self-advocacy.
• Building trust and rapport with military-affiliated students who may be older, nontraditional, or skeptical of institutional systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bonus but not needed to apply-
• Experience with student information systems, like Banner, and degree audit systems. Experience providing academic guidance, retention support, or student success coaching in a college or university setting.
• Direct experience working with veterans, active-duty military, reservists, or military dependents.
• Familiarity with the GI Bill®, Tuition Assistance, MyCAA, or other federal/state military education benefits.
• Working with individuals on personal, educational, or career goals; helping students overcome barriers to success.
• Experience tracking student progress, maintaining advising notes, and producing reports for grants or compliance.

Preferred License/Certifications/Training:

Certification in academic advising (NACADA, NASPA, or similar organizations).

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information.