Position Summary

San Diego State University’s College of Engineering is seeking a dedicated and student-centered General Academic Advisor to support undergraduate success. This role will foster a caring advising environment, guide students in navigating academic requirements, and contribute to the college’s mission of empowering students to thrive academically and personally.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide Holistic Advising: Support students in meeting general education, major, minor, and graduation requirements while fostering academic and personal growth.
• Evaluate Student Progress: Review academic records, degree evaluations, and advising tools (e.g., SDSU Navigate, MySDSU) to monitor degree completion.
• Conduct Proactive Outreach: Counsel students through individualized academic success plans and connect them with appropriate campus resources and co-curricular opportunities.
• Collaborate Across Campus: Partner with faculty, department chairs, and student support offices to stay up to date for enhancing student engagement and success.
• Maintain Accurate Records: Document advising sessions in SDSU Navigate to ensure coordinated care and accurate tracking of student progress.
• Support Diverse Needs: Provide guidance to students facing a range of academic and personal challenges, offering referrals and support as needed.

Why Join Us?

• Student Impact: Play a direct role in supporting the academic journey of future engineers and helping students reach their goals.
• Collaborative Community: Work closely with faculty, staff, and student success professionals across SDSU’s Coordinated Care network.  Promote Core Values of the College that center around: Integrity, Purpose, Humanity and Society.
• Professional Growth: Gain valuable experience in holistic, proactive advising within a nationally recognized university.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position. 
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. 
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.  
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity is responsible for the coordination and development of student services at San Diego State University.

The College of Engineering (CoE) is one (1) of the seven (7) major institutional units of San Diego State University. The primary objective of the College is to prepare students for a professional career in Engineering.

The Dean's Office in the CoE is responsible for all administrative and managerial functions of the College, which include overseeing the operations of the College's four (4) departments, which have a total of (8) academic programs.

The College of Engineering has a Student Affairs Office, which provides student services to meet the needs of undergraduate students. The Student Affairs Office is managed by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. The Student Affairs Office is located in the Dean’s office and reports directly to the Dean. The Assistant Dean’s position is supported by both Student Affairs and Academic Affairs and is jointly supervised by the Dean of the College of Engineering and the senior AVP of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity (SA+CD). The Center for Student Success in Engineering (CSSE) was established by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in Spring 2018.

For more information regarding the College of Engineering Dean's Office, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job-related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown below may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Possession of the required knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master’s degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of academic disciplines, course requirements, and career pathways to effectively support student decision-making.
• Ability to explain and apply academic policies, admissions guidelines, and degree requirements clearly to students.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with a demonstrated commitment to supporting underrepresented student populations and removing barriers to their success.
• Experience planning, implementing, and assessing student programs or initiatives.
• Proficiency in using databases, tracking systems, or student success platforms to support advising and student progress.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to review transcripts and calculate GPAs accurately.
• Master’s degree in student personnel, higher education/student affairs, counseling, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
• Working knowledge of barriers for students from underrepresented groups is preferred.
• Experience utilizing SDSU Navigate (EAB) or other academic advising technologies is preferred.
• Experience advising in STEM majors, student organizations, or in specialized student service areas such as admissions, evaluations, or registrar’s offices is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
 Salary is based on your experience, education, and qualifications, within the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• Hiring salary not expected to exceed $5,083/month; CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,083 - $7,228/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by September 28, 2025, to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Livia Peeples at lpeeples@sdsu.edu.