Academic Student Advisor Position Description

Academic Student Advisor
Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center

Old Main 387     360.650.3100    aasac.wwu.edu

Position Title:

Academic Student Advisor

Position Classification:

Peer Advisor 1

Wage:

$19.79 per hour

Reports to:

Kristin Alten, altenk@wwu.edu

Hours per Week: 

• Spring 4-6 hours per week
• Summer 24-31 hours per week during Advising & Registration (A&R) sessions

Additional hours offered for A&R sessions during the academic year. Must be available for all paid Academic Student Advisor training dates and times in spring and summer and all fall A&R session dates, see chart below.

Application Process:   

Applications are available beginning winter quarter via the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center website. The position will be posted on Handshake until filled. 
The position is open until filled with a priority deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Applications received after that will be considered on an on-going basis until the position is filled.

Start date:

Employment and training begin spring quarter 2026.

The Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center employs a diverse team of motivated, resourceful, and enthusiastic student leaders as Academic Student Advisors to welcome and assist new students in academic planning at Western Washington University. During Advising & Registration (A&R) sessions, Academic Student Advisors make important connections with new students, facilitate group advising sessions, provide individual advising, share valuable campus resources, and work collaboratively with peer and professional staff to create a positive and successful advising and registration experience in alignment with the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center's mission and goals.

Academic Student Advisors are required to work during training dates in spring quarter as well as training and session dates for A&R sessions occurring in July, August, and September. Students who intend to enroll in a summer class are encouraged to apply—the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center may be able to work around some conflicts on a case-by-case basis.

For the 2026 Advising & Registration sessions which take place in July, August, and September, Academic Student Advisors will be working remotely. Spring quarter training will be hybrid with both in-person and online training sessions. 
This is a unionized role. For more information, please see the WAWU Student Employee Contract 2024-2027. 


 

• Eligibility for summer employment contingent on successful completion of spring quarter training.
• Completion of at least one quarter at WWU and at least 25 college level credits (may include AP, IB, Running Start, College in the High School, or transfer credit) prior to spring quarter 2026.
• Undergraduate with a minimum cumulative WWU GPA of 2.0 by the start of the position in April.
• Must intend to enroll in classes through WWU’s Bellingham campus fall quarter 2026.
• Strong interpersonal communication and public speaking skills.
• Able to work independently and in groups with a responsible, self-motivated, and proactive work ethic.
• Detail-oriented, conscientious about providing accurate information and committed to serving students and families.
• Strong leadership, presentation, and customer service skills are preferred.
• Confidential workspace with computer, webcam, headset and reliable internet access for remote work is required. Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center may be able to facilitate access to this, if needed.
   

• Participate in all scheduled training and session dates listed below.
• Participate in a variety of session assignments including greeting participants, session check-in, assisting new students with class registration, and other duties as assigned.
• Deliver advising and registration presentations to groups of new students.
• Help new students review transfer credit and understand Western’s graduation requirements, specifically the General University Requirements and math course placement.
• Model a positive relationship between faculty, staff and students by collaborating with faculty/staff during academic advising sessions.
• Be punctual, reliable, and professional in the performance of all responsibilities.
• Work under direct supervision
  
   

• Develop skills as a student leader.
• Strengthen communication skills and gain experience presenting information to small groups.
• Enhance interpersonal skills through working one-on-one with students.
• Expand knowledge of academic information, policies, procedures, and services.
• Expand connections with fellow advisors (Academic Student Advisors, staff and faculty).
• Gain experience in a remote work setting and enhance proficiency in technology through utilizing Zoom and Teams.
  
   

All dates are mandatory and essential to the Academic Student Advisor position. Additional mandatory learning opportunities and/or session activities may be scheduled. Students who intend to enroll in a summer class are encouraged to apply—the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center may be able to work around some conflicts on a case-by-case basis. If any of the below dates present a problem for you, please contact Kristin Alten for further discussion.

Fall A&R sessions will be delivered virtually in Zoom.  

For more information, please contact Kristin Alten at altenk@wwu.edu.