University of Wisconsin-Madison
MJLSP Academic Advisor – University of Wisconsin‑Madison
The Mercile J. Lee Scholars Program (MJLSP) has an opening for an Academic Advisor position. The MJLSP is a merit‑based program serving over 500 high‑achieving students who receive a full tuition award when admitted to the University of Wisconsin‑Madison. With a philosophy of excellence in scholarship, leadership and service, our team of advisors provides consistent direct support focused on holistic advising practices, coaching, and mentoring. The academic advisor role is responsible for planning and executing program activities (retreats, workshops, social activities, volunteer opportunities, annual events) that promote community building and student development. This position reports to the Associate Director of MJLSP.
About the Mercile J. Lee Scholars Program MJLSP is a merit‑based program serving over 500 high‑achieving undergraduate students. Its philosophy of Excellence in Scholarship, Leadership and Service has made it the premier scholarship program on campus. Since its inception, MJLSP has established itself as the premier scholarship program on campus serving students through high touch advising; monitoring academic progress; assisting Scholars with their transition to the university community; providing community‑building opportunities; and offering leadership skills development.
About the Student Engagement and Scholarship Portfolio (SESP) The SESP houses four student scholarship programs with an infrastructure dedicated to supporting college attainment. Through intentional programming, personalized advising, and scholarship support, the SESP portfolio prioritizes student success focusing on academic excellence, leadership, community building, and service.
Key Responsibilities
Proactively engage students as needed.
Implement academic advising events such as workshops, panel discussions, and guest speakers.
Receive, process, and respond to academic inquiries according to established policies and procedures.
Participate in the campus‑wide advising community providing input to leadership regarding the development of advising, recruitment, and co‑curricular programs offered by the school/college.
Maintain expertise with advised curriculum and assist in developing and recommending exceptions for policy and curriculum.
Serve as main point of contact for students and provide information about educational options and academic requirements; assist with identifying and assessing interests, skills, and values to match appropriate field of study/career options, and refer students to appropriate institutional resources.
Maintain confidentiality and accurate student records and process and respond to academic inquiries according to established institutional and FERPA policies.
Support students in their academic, personal, social, and career development through the planning and execution of co‑curricular activities.
Compensation and Benefits The starting salary for the position is $55,000 (negotiable based on experience and qualifications). This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax‑advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Employees can expect generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; and retirement benefits.
Required Qualifications
One (1) year of full‑time professional work experience working with underrepresented ethnic/minority and socially/economically disadvantaged students.
Familiarity with supporting students’ pathways and/or success in K‑12/college including, but not limited to, experiences in teaching, access, tutoring, coaching, advising, retention initiatives, or college readiness services.
Demonstrated ability in planning or coordinating curricular or co‑curricular programs for students.
Manage a workload in a fast‑paced, high‑traffic area and ability to multitask.
General knowledge of academic disciplines, programs, and resources.
Excellent interpersonal, customer service, communication (oral and written), and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to promote an understanding and respect of cultural and human diversity and abilities.
General knowledge of and skills with Microsoft Office Software and other computer software and tools.
Preferred Qualifications
One (1) year of full‑time professional work experience in advising, student affairs, student services, counseling, or related field.
Some supervisory/professional leadership experience.
Experience working in a dynamic team environment.
Experience working with academic support programs and services supporting academically talented students.
Demonstrated ability to create and maintain relationships with program stakeholders.
Ability to exercise initiative and creativity to enhance programming for undergraduate students.
General knowledge of quantitative and qualitative measures for program evaluation.
Knowledge and understanding of the preparation for graduate and professional school opportunities.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree required.
Master’s Degree in higher education, administration, student personnel, counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, or relevant areas of study preferred.
How to Apply
Candidates must upload a cover letter referencing related work experience and a resume/CV detailing educational and professional background.
Successful applicants must ensure eligibility to work in the United States (citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or foreign national authorized to work without employer sponsorship). UW‑Madison is not an E‑Verify employer and cannot employ F‑1 STEM OPT extension participants.
Cover Letter Required Prompts:
How have your educational/professional/leadership experiences prepared you to support students with their educational goals (particularly students that MJLSP serves)?
How have your professional/leadership experiences prepared you to create/lead/organize programming initiatives that support student retention/persistence?
Application deadline: 11:59 pm on January 5, 2026.
Contact Information Emma Voight, emma.sippel@wisc.edu, 608‑262‑8152
Institutional Statement on Diversity Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW‑Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. UW‑Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background.
Equal Opportunity Employer UW‑Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Seniority Level Entry level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Education and Training
Industry Higher Education
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About the Mercile J. Lee Scholars Program MJLSP is a merit‑based program serving over 500 high‑achieving undergraduate students. Its philosophy of Excellence in Scholarship, Leadership and Service has made it the premier scholarship program on campus. Since its inception, MJLSP has established itself as the premier scholarship program on campus serving students through high touch advising; monitoring academic progress; assisting Scholars with their transition to the university community; providing community‑building opportunities; and offering leadership skills development.
About the Student Engagement and Scholarship Portfolio (SESP) The SESP houses four student scholarship programs with an infrastructure dedicated to supporting college attainment. Through intentional programming, personalized advising, and scholarship support, the SESP portfolio prioritizes student success focusing on academic excellence, leadership, community building, and service.
Key Responsibilities
Proactively engage students as needed.
Implement academic advising events such as workshops, panel discussions, and guest speakers.
Receive, process, and respond to academic inquiries according to established policies and procedures.
Participate in the campus‑wide advising community providing input to leadership regarding the development of advising, recruitment, and co‑curricular programs offered by the school/college.
Maintain expertise with advised curriculum and assist in developing and recommending exceptions for policy and curriculum.
Serve as main point of contact for students and provide information about educational options and academic requirements; assist with identifying and assessing interests, skills, and values to match appropriate field of study/career options, and refer students to appropriate institutional resources.
Maintain confidentiality and accurate student records and process and respond to academic inquiries according to established institutional and FERPA policies.
Support students in their academic, personal, social, and career development through the planning and execution of co‑curricular activities.
Compensation and Benefits The starting salary for the position is $55,000 (negotiable based on experience and qualifications). This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax‑advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Employees can expect generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; and retirement benefits.
Required Qualifications
One (1) year of full‑time professional work experience working with underrepresented ethnic/minority and socially/economically disadvantaged students.
Familiarity with supporting students’ pathways and/or success in K‑12/college including, but not limited to, experiences in teaching, access, tutoring, coaching, advising, retention initiatives, or college readiness services.
Demonstrated ability in planning or coordinating curricular or co‑curricular programs for students.
Manage a workload in a fast‑paced, high‑traffic area and ability to multitask.
General knowledge of academic disciplines, programs, and resources.
Excellent interpersonal, customer service, communication (oral and written), and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to promote an understanding and respect of cultural and human diversity and abilities.
General knowledge of and skills with Microsoft Office Software and other computer software and tools.
Preferred Qualifications
One (1) year of full‑time professional work experience in advising, student affairs, student services, counseling, or related field.
Some supervisory/professional leadership experience.
Experience working in a dynamic team environment.
Experience working with academic support programs and services supporting academically talented students.
Demonstrated ability to create and maintain relationships with program stakeholders.
Ability to exercise initiative and creativity to enhance programming for undergraduate students.
General knowledge of quantitative and qualitative measures for program evaluation.
Knowledge and understanding of the preparation for graduate and professional school opportunities.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree required.
Master’s Degree in higher education, administration, student personnel, counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, or relevant areas of study preferred.
How to Apply
Candidates must upload a cover letter referencing related work experience and a resume/CV detailing educational and professional background.
Successful applicants must ensure eligibility to work in the United States (citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or foreign national authorized to work without employer sponsorship). UW‑Madison is not an E‑Verify employer and cannot employ F‑1 STEM OPT extension participants.
Cover Letter Required Prompts:
How have your educational/professional/leadership experiences prepared you to support students with their educational goals (particularly students that MJLSP serves)?
How have your professional/leadership experiences prepared you to create/lead/organize programming initiatives that support student retention/persistence?
Application deadline: 11:59 pm on January 5, 2026.
Contact Information Emma Voight, emma.sippel@wisc.edu, 608‑262‑8152
Institutional Statement on Diversity Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW‑Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. UW‑Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background.
Equal Opportunity Employer UW‑Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Seniority Level Entry level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Education and Training
Industry Higher Education
#J-18808-Ljbffr