Department: Col of Engineering and Computing
Classification: Education Support Spec 3
Job Category: Classified Staff
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship
Pay Band: 04
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
The primary purpose of GMU's Systems Engineering and Operations Research (SEOR) program is to develop leaders who can solve complex, real-world problems by integrating systems thinking with advanced analytical and computational skills, preparing them for roles in government, industry, and academia. It focuses on designing, analyzing, and improving large systems in diverse fields like defense, healthcare, and finance, emphasizing practical application, data-driven solutions, and ethical decision-making for societal impact.
About the Position:
The Academic Advisor provides comprehensive academic advising and student support services for undergraduate, graduate, transfer, prospective, and accelerated master's (BAM) students in the Department of Systems Engineering and Operations Research. The position supports student retention, academic achievement, timely degree completion, and career readiness through proactive advising, student success interventions, outreach initiatives, and collaboration with faculty and university partners.
The position serves as a primary resource for students regarding academic planning, university and departmental policies, degree requirements, experiential learning opportunities, graduate pathways, and career development. The advisor utilizes a holistic, student-centered approach to support students from admission through graduation while advancing departmental and university strategic goals related to student success, persistence, and completion.
*Please note that this is not a 100% remote/virtual position, but it is telework friendly. Depending upon your department/office, you may have the ability to telework 1-3 days per week.
Responsibilities:
Academic Advising
- Advise undergraduate and graduate students regarding curriculum planning, degree requirements, registration, academic policies, and graduation requirements;
- Assist students with concentration selection, academic planning, and long-term degree completion strategies;
- Conduct graduation audits and degree progress reviews;
- Support transfer students with credit evaluation and transition planning;
- Advise students participating in BAM programs and accelerated pathways;
- Assist students with academic forms, petitions, substitutions, exceptions, and appeals;
- Maintain accurate advising documentation within university systems;
- Provide advising through individual appointments, group sessions, workshops, and virtual meetings; and
- Interpret and communicate university and departmental policies and procedures.
Student Success and Retention
- Monitor student progress toward degree completion;
- Identify students experiencing academic difficulty and implement intervention strategies;
- Develop and monitor student success plans;
- Conduct proactive outreach to students on academic warning, probation, or at risk of delayed graduation;
- Collaborate with faculty, success coaches, counseling services, and other student support offices;
- Support departmental retention and graduation initiatives; and
- Analyze student success data and identify trends impacting progression.
Recruitment and Student Engagement
- Participate in orientation, open houses, admissions events, graduation and yield activities;
- Develop communications and resources for prospective and current students;
- Coordinate workshops focused on academic planning, career preparation, internship readiness, graduate school exploration, and student success; and
- Promote undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, student organizations, and experiential learning opportunities.
Assessment, Reporting, and Administration
- Utilize Banner, Stellic, Degree Works, CRM systems, Patriot Connect and advising technologies;
- Track advising metrics and student outcomes;
- Prepare reports related to advising effectiveness, retention, and graduation;
- Serve on departmental, college, and university committees;
- Participate in professional development and advising training;
- Contribute to accreditation, assessment, and strategic planning activities;
- Travels to local high schools and Northern Virginia Community College campuses for outreach and recruitment; and
- Other duties assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent;
- Experience in academic advising, student services, higher education administration, mentoring, counseling, coaching, or related work;
- Experience managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines;
- Experience working with diverse student populations;
- Knowledge of general office practices and equipment;
- Skill in organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple tasks and deadlines;
- Skill in verbal and written communication with diverse audiences;
- Skill in using Microsoft Office tools including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Forms;
- Ability to provide professional, student-centered customer service;
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff;
- Ability to learn new systems, policies, and procedures;
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment;
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required for orientation and admissions events;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; and
- Demonstrated commitment to student success and customer service.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in related field;
- Demonstrated experience (typically 5 years) in a university or administrative setting;
- Previous academic advising experience;
- Experience with student information and reporting systems (e.g., Patriot Connect, Banner, Stellic, MicroStrategy);
- Experience working in a higher education environment;
- Knowledge of George Mason University policies and procedures;
- Knowledge and experience in academic advising or student support services; and
- Skill in assisting students with academic transitions and decision-making.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Academic Advisor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information; and upload a cover letter, and resume for review.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Posting Open Date: November 11, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 25, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
A Force for Innovation in the Heart of Northern Virginia's Technology Corridor
About the College:
The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the CEC has more than 11,000 students in fall 2025. The college has 34 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of its 326 instructional faculty, 100 are tenured, 64 are tenure-track, 100 are term faculty, and 62 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $83.7 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $66.8 million in awards. The college stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunities for faculty to work with other disciplines.
About the University and the Region:
George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education. The university has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William County. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country and has an outstanding local public school system.
About the Future:
In conjunction with Amazon’s decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing. As a result, George Mason has committed to accelerating its plans to grow its capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the university’s exciting initiatives are the launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation - a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy - and the expansion of Mason Square home to its Arlington facilities. In 2025, Fuse, a new 355,000 square foot building, opened to students, faculty, and research teams. This net-zero facility will house the Institute for Digital Innovation, state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces. It will also include retail space, and leasing opportunities for local businesses. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by George Mason that will rapidly elevate the university’s already leading national position in computing and related areas.
