Academic Advisor and Student Support Speciali

Title: Academic Advisor and Student Support Specialist    

Department: Academic & Student Affairs

Supervisor: Dean of Enrollment and Recruitment    

Pay Grade: 9    

Revision Date: 07/2026

Location: Academic and Technical Center     

Approved by: President

Position Summary:    

This position is a professional staff position reporting to the Dean of Enrollment and Recruitment.  This person needs to be available for appointments to proactively provide current and potential students with appropriate information about degree completion plans, retention strategies, career pathways, educational progress, and services at Belmont College.  

Specific Responsibilities and Duties:

1.    Provides individual academic guidance to all current and prospective students and others as needed by appointment, telephone, email, virtually or on a walk-in basis; 

2.    Provides individual supportive academic counseling to students when appropriate.  Refer students, as needed, to various community service agencies on a case-by-case basis.

3.    Serves as an ADA representative for the college. This includes developing an accommodation plan for the student that will be used to provide equity during classroom instruction.  

4.    Develops student specific degree completion plans for the students assigned to their academic programs.  

5.    Participates in the Retention Module System (RMS) for “at-risk” students. Formulate and develop strategies for the student’s success; input and maintain accurate prospect records in a CRM (Customer Relationship Management System).

6.    Follows-up on leads generated through the recruitment plan and meets identified metrics and goals across the recruitment/retention pipeline.

7.    Utilizes case management, the advisor will follow up with appropriate interventions and strategies to assist the “high-risk” students as well as documenting and tracking Student Success plans.

8.    Actively participates in College Governance Teams.

9.    Collaborates with Admissions to facilitate a seamless student intake process.

10.    Seeks professional development directly related to the Academic Advising function and at-risk students and/or other areas of student development.

11.    Maintains records, both confidential and otherwise, on counseling and guidance activities as directed.

12.    Assists Admission Counselor in new student orientation, recruiting, and retention programming including but not limited to high school visits, awards ceremonies, college and career fairs.

13.    Attends graduation ceremonies and other college functions as needed. 

14.    Works occasional evening and Saturday hours as directed.

15.    Shares and communicates the benefits of Belmont College in order to increase the number of inquiries and applicants to the College along with the conversion of those inquiries and applicants to help move students through the enrollment process.

16.    Provides campus tours and programs to prospective and current students.  

17.    Works collaboratively with other College offices to provide a seamless admissions process, especially Academic Advising, Financial Aid, Registrar, and Student Success Center.

18.    Collaborates with the Manager of College Credit Plus on admission and advising requirements and practices. Serve as the on-site College Pathway Advisor to select schools within the service area assisting the Manager of College Credit Plus with orientations, registrations, and school visits.

19.    Establishes relationships with faculty, staff, students, and alumni as effective partners in student recruiting. 

20.    Answers incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, taking messages, and responding to basic questions about college business at the front reception desk.

21.    Performs other work duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

Note: Please rank the below tasks as F for Frequent (6+ hours daily), M for Moderate (4-6 hours daily), O for Occasional (2-4 hours daily) or R for Rarely (<2 hours daily).

F    Stand or Sit    R    Stoop/Kneel/Crawl    R    Carry/Weight Lift

O    Walk    F    Talk/Hear    O    Exposure to Outside Environment

F    Use of Fingers/Hands    F    See    R    Able to lift N/A pounds

R    Climb    M    Taste/Smell    R    Exposure to Hazardous Materials

Position Requirements:

1.    A master’s degree in counseling, student development, or any comparable degree in a related area is preferred, bachelor’s degree required.

2.    Two years of experience in higher education in the areas of supportive counseling, instruction, academic advising, and student retention strategies is required; or

3.    Any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the assigned tasks.

Belmont College does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, housing, citizenship, veteran status, or genetic information in matters of admissions, employment, or service the College provides. Belmont College also prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of discrimination and harassment.  

This job description is subject to change at any time and nothing in this job description restricts the college’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities. Additionally, this job description shall not be construed as an employment contract.