Assistant Dean- Advising

ASSISTANT DEAN - ADVISING

HAROLD WASHINGTON COLLEGE

CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO

Since 1911, City Colleges of Chicago has been connecting students from across Chicago’s neighborhoods to economic opportunity. By offering a quality education at an unprecedented value, City Colleges provides our students and alumni with a pathway to upward mobility. City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity—empowering its students to take part in building a stronger and more just city. As Illinois’ largest community college system, City Colleges is comprised of seven colleges and five satellite sites across Chicago.

Harold Washington College is proud to be a member of the Caring Campus network. Caring Campus is a model of professional development that works to implement strong and consistent behavioral commitments for all employees in regard to how they interact with students. As a result of this work, employees become engaged with students on a level that has not occurred before. The core benefit of this work is making a connection with students, many of whom have not had an adult who has cared about them in an educational system.
 

At City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) College Advising is an integral component of student support services, where students are offered support from the first day of class through graduation to help them chart an education plan toward success.

Advising Services include but not limited to: assisting students with setting goals, choosing which degree or professional certificate to pursue, creating an education plan, selecting the appropriate classes, connecting with essential support services, planning for transfer to a four-year college, and finding extracurricular groups related to a chosen career field.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to an Associate Dean Advising or an Associate Dean of Student Services, the Assistant Dean - Advising provides leadership and oversight of the Office of Academic Advising, managing a staff of College Advisors and overseeing all aspects of college advising to promote student success, academic excellence, retention, and degree or program completion. Works collaboratively with key stakeholders to implement, oversee, assess, and continually improve advising programs, interventions, and support services that promote student development and persistence towards degree or program completion.

The Assistant Dean - Advising sets standards, establishes operational and programmatic goals, streamlines processes, and monitors performance outcomes for the effective and timely provision of services to students. Performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides leadership for the administration of academic advising, developing and implementing academic advising guidelines, processes, and protocols, and ensuring services and practices are student-centered.

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the Advising Office, supervising staff and implementing proactive and cohesive strategies to best serve the academic advising needs of students.

• Supervises a staff of College Advisors engaged in guiding students from new student orientation (or onboarding) to graduation, providing information on academic pathways and support services; helping students clarify goals; creating academic plans; and connecting students with relevant resources.

• Monitors the work of College Advisors, schedules staff, assigns student caseloads, and ensures the provision of an appropriate level of academic and career advising, referral, and support services to students.

• Works closely with District leadership and key stakeholders to facilitate the coordination of services with other departments and offices (e.g., Transfer Services) and support programs associated with first-year, early alert, and other student success and retention initiatives.

• Collaborates with the Dean and Associate Dean to develop and implement initiatives and strategies focused on student success and retention.

• Develops and implements advising interventions and programming to address factors that influence and negatively impact student persistence and degree completion. Works collaboratively with staff to develop new and innovative ways to reach students and improve advising services.

• Communicates with and updates College Advisors and staff on curricular, academic policy, and procedural changes, ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and appropriate advising services to students.

• Interviews and provides final recommendations for the selection and hiring of professional staff. Establishes performance measures and conducts performance evaluations. Represents the college at employee disciplinary hearings and administers disciplinary actions as required. Recommends termination of employment when appropriate.

• Provides guidance and support to College Advisors engaged in intervening and working with students identified as at-risk or experiencing academic difficulties.

• Gathers data and prepares reports on performance metrics related to academic advising services. Leads initiatives to improve advising processes based on program evaluation data and student feedback.

• Plans and provides professional development opportunities for staff. Coordinates and provides in-house training workshops. Recommends and secures budget approval for external professional development seminars.

• Ensures adherence by staff to professional standards established by NACADA and the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) for academic advising and supports the implementation of best practices.

• Coordinates participation of College Advising staff in new student orientation programs, events, and workshops for students and staff, as appropriate.

• Serves as weekend and/or evening administrator for the college.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To                       Associate Dean Advising or Associate Dean Student Services

Direct Supervision          College Advisors; Administrative and clerical support staff

QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Counseling, Student Development, Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences, or a related field required.

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in academic advising, student services, or a related area of higher education required. at least one (1) year of supervisory or management experience preferred.

• Experience working in a unionized higher education environment preferred.

• Experience utilizing technology and student success platforms to support at-risk student populations, assessment, advising, retention, and student engagement initiatives.

• Knowledge of academic advising program development, assessment, evaluation, and continuous improvement practices.

• Knowledge of advising, coaching, and student support models and best practices.

• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing student records, privacy, and confidentiality.

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated supervisory and management skills, including the ability to lead teams, establish priorities, and support employee development and performance.

• Strong administrative and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Ability to work effectively within a culturally diverse environment.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy in handling sensitive and confidential matters.

• Ability to oversee and support both in-person and virtual student service operations.

• Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to provide direction, influence outcomes, and achieve organizational goals and priorities.

• Demonstrated initiative and accountability, with the ability to independently manage responsibilities and adapt to changing priorities.

• Strong innovation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop creative and effective solutions.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to evaluate information, interpret data, and make informed recommendations.

• Sound judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess options and determine appropriate action.

• Demonstrated technological proficiency and understanding of the strategic role of technology in advancing institutional effectiveness, operational efficiency, and service delivery.

• Availability to work some evenings and weekends as needed.

• Some local and regional travel may be required.

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
   

Approved by Compensation Design & Strategy                               Date:              June 24, 2026

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
Thank you for your interest in City Colleges!
 

Approved by Compensation Design & Strategy                               Date:              April 13, 2026

The intent of this job description is to provide a general description of the duties and responsibilities of this position.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive set of the duties and responsibilities, nor all of the necessary qualifications to perform the work.

Original Title Asst Dean-Academic Advising created October 2018. Changed title to Asst Dean-Advising and revised duties and qualifications June 2026.