Academic Advisor

Company Description:

Roxbury Community College (RCC) is a public institution of higher education offering associate degrees, certificate programs and lifelong learning opportunities to the Greater Boston community. The Department of Education recognized RCC as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and as one of the top 100 community colleges in the country for student outcomes through the Postsecondary Success Recognition Program, making it the only community college in Massachusetts with these designations.

RCC offers 24 associate degree programs, 6 credit-based certificate programs, 13 non-credit professional certification programs, 30+ lifelong learning and fitness classes, and customized incumbent worker training programs. The college hosts hundreds of civic and community events at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center each year. RCC is committed to providing all learners with the academic and non-academic support required for degree completion and long-term success.

Roxbury Community College is guided by our six core values of Accountability, Equity, Excellence, Honesty, Integrity, and Respect. RCC is also an AA/EO employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance the diversity of its staff. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all institutes of higher education to disclose campus policy statements and crime statistics. Our annual report is available at Clery Report.

Job Description:

Title: Academic Advisor

Unit: MCCC Professional Staff

Department: Center for Student Success, Advising and Retention

Reports To: Director of the Center for Student Success, Advising, and Retention

Date: November 2025

The Academic Advisor is critical in fostering student success by providing individualized academic guidance, proactive support, and resource connections to empower students to achieve their educational, personal, and professional goals. This position is central to the college's mission of creating a student-centered environment prioritizing equity, persistence, and academic excellence.

Responsibilities:

Advancing Student Success:

• Assist students in creating and executing personalized academic success plans tailored to their unique goals, strengths, and challenges.
• Serve as a primary advocate for students, helping them navigate academic programs, institutional resources, and personal obstacles.
• Monitor student progress, proactively identify at-risk students, and implement timely interventions to support retention and persistence.
• Collaborate with campus departments to connect students with academic, career, wellness, and social support services to remove barriers to success.

Academic Advising:

• Guide students in selecting courses, understanding degree requirements, and developing long-term academic and career plans.
• Educate students on transfer pathways and explore workforce opportunities.
• Provide expert advice on institutional policies, academic standing, and graduation requirements, ensuring students remain on track.
• Conduct one-on-one advising sessions, group workshops, and orientation programs to support student transition and engagement.

Student Engagement and Retention:

• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with students, fostering a sense of belonging and accountability for their educational journey.
• Actively participate in retention initiatives, such as early alert systems, first-year experience programs, and peer mentoring efforts.
• Facilitate workshops, seminars, and events that enhance academic skills, support career readiness, and empower students.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Partner with faculty, staff, and administrators to promote a coordinated and student-centered approach to success.
• Serve as a liaison between students and institutional resources, ensuring seamless access to support services.
• Contribute to developing initiatives that address equity gaps and improve student retention and graduation rates.

Administrative and Professional Development:

• Maintain accurate advising records and track student outcomes using advising technologies (e.g., EAB Navigate).
• Collect and analyze advising effectiveness and retention trends data to inform continuous improvement efforts.
• Stay current with best practices in academic advising, student development, and retention strategies through professional development opportunities.

Other Responsibilities:

• Participate on college committees as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• This list is not to be considered all-inclusive. The Dean of Students may assign other duties as required to meet the needs and foster the college's mission.

Requirements:

Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field required.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in academic advising, student support services, or related areas in higher education.
• Demonstrated success in implementing student-centered advising strategies that improve retention and persistence rates.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong commitment to student success, equity, and inclusion.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse populations and promote a supportive learning environment.
• Proficiency with student information systems and other advising tools.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

Additional Information:

Compensation: Based on the MCCC Professional Staff CBA

Employees of Roxbury Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits that include:

• High quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
• Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Medical Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance Account
• Low cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
• Tuition Benefit for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
• Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
• Free employee parking on the Roxbury Campus
• Public Transportation is available to the College via the MBTA Orange Line Roxbury Crossing Station & connecting bus stops, an eight-minute walk to the campus.

Location: Roxbury Community College, 1234 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02120

Unit Status: MCCC Professional Staff

Hours : 37.5 hours per week.

Expected Start Date: January 2026

Application Deadline: December 15th, 2025

Application Instructions:

All applicants must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• (3) Professional References

Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) request.

After completing all the steps above, please go back into the newly created account and double check that your resume and cover letter uploaded as you intended.

Roxbury Community College understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact Pat Noel, ADA Coordinator, at 857-701-1290 or [email protected] .

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education - Roxbury Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education - Roxbury Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Roxbury Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] .