Job Details

CMDI Professional Academic Advisor

Position Number: 6839845
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Academic Advising

CMDI Professional Academic Advisor

Requisition Number: 69347
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 20-Jan-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) at CU Boulder welcomes applications for a Professional Academic Advisor! CMDI is at the forefront of the revolution in communication, digital technology, and design. CMDI prides itself on offering students an interdisciplinary education with a focus on innovation and creativity. Our students and faculty from seven departments think across boundaries, innovate around emerging problems and create culture that transcends convention.
The individual in this advising position is charged with fulfilling the mission of building relationships with students and fostering success by providing interdisciplinary academic and developmental advising for the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) undergraduates. The position must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively with faculty and staff in CMDI and other University units, to advise students about the nature and content of the curriculum and professional disciplines, to facilitate the development of mentoring relationships between faculty and undergraduates in the program, and to intervene effectively with students having academic difficulty.
This position advises and connects with a caseload of approximately 350-425 undergraduate students across the 7 departments as well as undergraduate minors. Academic Advisors work in a team setting to assist students in planning for and making informed decisions about areas of study, intended college outcomes, and post-baccalaureate plans. Academic Advisors help students assess their interests, values, and academic skills. They teach students to navigate the systems, academic processes, and policies at CU Boulder, and work with students to personalize their academic paths, including offering co-curricular guidance and leading them in regular long-term planning. In addition to one-on-one interactions, Academic Advisors work with students in group settings via workshops, presentations, campus events, and other activities. Academic Advisors stay up to date on curricular changes and opportunities and provide students with accurate and timely information and guidance.
Advisors in CMDI are committed to building collaborative, student-centered relationships that support achievement of academic success, promote personal and professional development, and foster a sense of community. This highly collaborative position cultivates relationships and maximizes networks with cross-campus entities including the Office of the Registrar, Bursar's Office, Office of Undergraduate Education, Office of Financial Aid, Division of Student Life, Division of Continuing Education, Office of Admissions, Office of International Education, Veterans Affairs, Disability Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Career Services, and other campus resources as necessary.
A successful Academic Advisor demonstrates an enthusiastic attitude and passion for working with students and on a team. Academic Advisors are comfortable engaging with large numbers of students via diverse and active outreach methods and demonstrate an advising approach that focuses on student exploration, discovery, and success on an individual level.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) is at the forefront of the revolution in communication, digital technology, and design. CMDI prides itself on offering students an interdisciplinary education with a focus on innovation and creativity! Our students and faculty from seven departments think across boundaries, innovate around emerging problems and create culture that transcends convention.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Undergraduate Academic Advising

Individual and small group work with students (first-year to senior-level) via scheduled appointments, drop-ins, phone and email interactions and related administrative duties; student traffic will vary over the course of the year so included in this role is proactive outreach and engagement with students who have not been in for an appointment.
Follow all advising protocols and utilize campus advising tools such as Buff Portal Advising and will maintain a multidisciplinary knowledge base.
Assist students in planning and making informed decisions about general degree requirements, major degree requirements, and potential career or graduate school direction.
Help students to assess their interests, values and academic skills.
Teach students how to navigate the systems, academic processes and policies at CU-Boulder
Work with students to personalize their academic path, including offering co-curricular guidance that complements their goals and leading them in regular long-term planning.
Offer availability to students' overall support network, including parents.
Work with students in group settings via workshops and presentations.
Review students' progress toward graduation and advise students on their graduation status.
Support New Student Orientation and other recruitment and retention activities as well as provide occasional evening/weekend hours to support strategic College-wide and campus programming as assigned.

Outreach and Support

Proactively tracks, contacts, and works with special student populations (e.g., early alert, high-risk, first-generation, students who have not been in for an appointment, students in academic difficulty, high-achieving students, etc.).
Participates in student-facing activities as assigned.

Strategic Planning

Engage in planning and collaborating with the CMDI advising and coaching team, including participating in regular team meetings, training and evaluation. This will include targeted meetings with specific constituents as well as attendance at larger organizational meetings and participation in cross-campus committees as necessary.
Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned
Proactively develop knowledge of best practices related to advising through relevant conferences, mentoring opportunities, workshops, coursework, special projects, and research.
Share knowledge with others in CMDI, particularly advising staff, and work to ensure that practices aligned with that knowledge are implemented in CMDI.

What You Should Know

Hybrid work schedule offered; Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm, with occasional evenings and weekends.
Relocation assistance may be offered within departmental guidelines.

What We Can Offer

We are posting this position at two levels.
P1 $49,900 - $56,143 annually; P2: $55,100 - $60,000 annually, based on analysis of qualifications.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be engaged. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

P1 level: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and experience working with students outside of the classroom in or related to higher education. Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
P2 level: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a minimum of one (1) year of experience working with students outside of the classroom in or related to higher education. Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
Outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team within a collaborative work environment.
Exceptional organizational, planning, analytical, and technical skills
Exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects and requests, and work in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated passion for working with students within a high-volume setting.
Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences, as well as the ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students from a broad variety of backgrounds.
Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to foster an inclusive environment that respects all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Willingness to work in an environment which may demand some flexibility or evening/weekend work.
Demonstrated experience managing parent concerns.
Demonstrated experience with student success initiatives.
Knowledge of and demonstrated experience applying student development theory.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by January 20, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/CMDI-Professional-Academic-Advisor/69347