Academic Core Advisor & RISE Coach

Bemidji State University (BSU) invites applicants to join our team as the Academic Core Advisor & RISE Coach. The responsibilities for the Academic Core Advisor, as determined by the Associate Director of Advising & the RISE Program in the College of Science and Health, are assigned for a designated school or schools in accordance with appropriate advising load. The Academic Core Advisor supports student success from entry to graduation through proactive, student-centered advising that integrates academic planning, policy guidance, and timely referrals to campus resources. Serving as a consistent point of contact, the advisor collaborates closely with faculty and academic departments to align curricular requirements with students’ goals, ensure accurate degree progression, and remove barriers to completion. The role emphasizes coordinated care, early outreach, and data-informed practices to improve retention and completion outcomes.
 
In addition, this position also serves in the role of a RISE (Roberge Inspiring Student Excellence) Coach. This is a student-facing role that provides proactive academic and personal support to students that are a part of the RISE program, serving as their primary point of contact and advocate at Bemidji State University. The coach meets regularly with students to address academic challenges, promote personal well-being, and set goals that foster persistence and success. Responsibilities include organizing workshops, events, and engagement opportunities; connecting students with academic, personal, and career resources; and collaborating with faculty, staff, and campus partners to ensure comprehensive support. The coach tracks participation, monitors student outcomes, and uses data to inform program improvements. In addition, the RISE Coach develops strategies to re-engage students who demonstrate low or no participation, providing individualized outreach and support to strengthen student belonging, retention, and achievement.
 
Responsibilities of the Academic Core Advisor & RISE coach include:  

• Academic Core Advising. (55%)
  • Providing and implementing effective core advising for designated departments/programs within the College of Science & Health, as determined by the Associate Director of Advising & RISE Program. Contributing thoughtful insight and collaboration to the development and maintenance of the core advising model for the office, including assisting with training and materials for onboarding new advisors and staff in the Student Success Center.
  • Delivering proactive, student-centered, and professional academic advising for an assigned caseload of students in the College of Science & Health, supporting holistic student success from entry to graduation.
  • Building strong relationships with faculty in assigned programs, raising and addressing issues related to student policies, curriculum, or procedures, and implementing changes that enhance the student advising experience.
  • Developing individualized academic plans aligned with program requirements; assisting students with course selection, registration, and maintaining a clear degree pathway and trajectory toward timely completion.
  • Providing guidance on university policies, academic standards, degree requirements, appeals processes, records, and other specialized needs or resources applicable to student success.
  • Managing and following up on cases through the EAB Navigate platform, using proactive outreach and engagement to strengthen student connections and support.
  • Providing walk-in advising services through the Student Success Center, ensuring timely support for students with immediate needs.
  • Collaborating with faculty, deans, chairs, and other campus offices to advocate for students, including supporting appeals, substitutions or equivalencies for courses, and overall student well-being.
• RISE Coaching. (40%)
  • Providing direction and oversight for the student engagement and coaching process within the RISE program through the Student Success Center.
  • Serving as a point of contact for RISE students, with authority to guide, enhance, and deliver proactive support that ensures a seamless and meaningful student experience.
  • Focusing on engaging RISE students to view Bemidji State as a place where they belong and can thrive, while delivering individualized coaching that promotes academic success, persistence, and long-term connection to the university.
  • Developing resources and materials to promote PSEO student retention, engagement, and success.
  • Acting as a campus resource for academic and personal coaching of assigned RISE students at Bemidji State.
  • Meeting regularly (1–2 times per month) with caseload students to review academic progress, set goals, and provide guidance on life skills such as time management, financial planning, employment, housing, relationship management, parenting, career exploration, overall well-being, etc.
  • Collaborating with the Associate Director of Advising & RISE Program to ensure comprehensive support for students throughout their academic journey.
  • Maintaining strong connections with campus partners, faculty, staff, and external community resources to enhance student support opportunities and promote program visibility.
  • Adhering to program expectations and requirements while recommending updates and improvements that strengthen RISE student success.
  • Exercising discretion and independent decision-making in addressing student challenges, ensuring coaching interactions are compassionate, student-centered, and tailored to individual needs.
  • Informing and guiding students about RISE program requirements, expectations, timelines, and opportunities, reinforcing their connection to both the program and the university.
  • Providing training and mentorship to peer coaches or additional staff assisting with student engagement and support.
  • Responding promptly and professionally to student inquiries, ensuring access to accurate information, resources, and follow-up care.
  • Planning, delivering, and evaluating individual and group activities that foster belonging, promote engagement, and support persistence and retention.
  • Developing resources and materials that encourage RISE student engagement, academic achievement, and long-term success at Bemidji State
• Other duties. (5%)
  • Assisting with planning, facilitating, and assessing anti-racism, equity, and inclusion professional development experiences on campus.
  • Actively participating in department, division, and university programs/visits (e.g., new student registration and orientation events, academic/career exploration and job/internship fairs).
  • Performing other duties as assigned. 

• Master’s degree plus one (1) year of professional experience in higher education, advising or counseling; OR a Bachelor's degree plus two (2) years of professional experience in higher education, advising or counseling; OR three (3) years of professional experience in higher education, advising or counseling; OR an equivalent combination of postsecondary training, education and/or professional experience.
• Experience with data and/or software systems that support and aid in student success
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• Strong communication, administrative, presentation, and organizational skills.
• An ability to work collaboratively with faculty, student affairs educators, students, and parents.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Two (2) years of professional experience in academic advising, student success, enrollment management, or related higher education roles.
• Proficiency with student information systems and advising technologies, preferably including EAB Navigate, ISRS, and Perceptive Content.
• Knowledge of or experience working within the Minnesota State system, including familiarity with system policies, procedures, and reporting practices.
• A strong focus on collaboration across academic and student service units.

• Very limited travel, as needed for partnership visits or as needed by collaboration with the Office of Admissions at Bemidji State.

TO APPLY:
External Applicants: Apply for Vacancy Posting JR0000003414, on our career site: https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/search-for-jobs/ or at https://minnstate.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Minnesota_State_Careers/job/Bemidji/Academic-Core-Advisor---RISE-Coach_JR0000003414.
 
Internal Applicants: All current employees will need to log in to the career site in Workday to apply for the position. Employees will search for “Browse Jobs – Employees” in Workday via the search bar at the top to view open positions.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Miller at mary.miller@bemidjistate.edu