Academic Advising Assistant

Job Summary

The Academic Advising Assistant at Mount Royal University (MRU) is a frontline student success role within the Department of Academic Advising in Calgary. Operating as a “Student Success Navigator,” you serve as the first point of contact for learners navigating the complexities of post-secondary life. This role requires the “wit” to quickly interpret university policies and the “grit” to manage a high volume of inquiries across multiple digital and in-person channels.

Job Details

• Employer: Mount Royal University (MRU).

• Location: Calgary, AB (In-person).

• Salary: $15.00 per hour.

• Position Type: Full-time (Flexible/Variable schedule, up to 35 hours per week).

• Closing Date: March 23, 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Administrative & Student Engagement (50%): Manage inquiries via email, phone, and drop-ins. You are the “referral engine” of the department, connecting students to specialized supports like Access and Inclusion Services or Financial Aid.

• Advising & Registration Support (35%): Empower students by teaching them how to use MRU’s digital toolkit, including mruGradU8 (degree auditing) and the Academic Calendar. You help demystify graduation requirements and institutional procedures.

• Data Management & Compliance (15%): Maintain precise advising notes and assist with operational reporting. You must operate with a deep understanding of FOIP/POPA regulations regarding student privacy and record-keeping.

• Systems Proficiency: Utilize the Banner student information system and the Google Workspace suite to track student progress and coordinate team activities.

Candidate Profile

• The “Resourceful Guide”: Someone who enjoys building trust through “student-centred” communication and accurate information delivery.

• Technical Wit: Proficiency in navigating complex databases (Banner) and degree-tracking software (mruGradU8).

• Operational Grit: Ability to handle an irregular schedule and thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift based on the academic cycle (e.g., registration peaks).

• Educational Background: High school completion plus additional coursework, paired with 6–12 months of relevant experience.

Technical Insights: The Academic Advising Ecosystem

At MRU, advising is built on a “Developmental Advising” model, where the goal is to help students become self-sufficient.

• Degree Auditing (mruGradU8): You will use this “automated map” to show students exactly which courses they have completed and which ones they still need to reach the “Graduation Finish Line.”

• The Referral Loop: You act as a triage officer. By identifying whether a student’s barrier is academic (needing Student Learning Services) or personal (needing Wellness Services), you ensure they get the right help at the right time.

• Data Integrity: Your notes are legal records. You will learn to write “Neutral, Factual, and Objective” advising notes that provide continuity of care while respecting student confidentiality.

Job Description

Do you believe that every student has the potential to succeed if they just have the right map? Mount Royal University is seeking an Academic Advising Assistant to join our team in Calgary. We aren’t just answering phones; we are the architects of student retention and the builders of meaningful campus connections. If you have the “grit” to manage a busy drop-in desk and the “wit” to master our registration systems, you belong in Academic Advising.

In this role, you are a “Possibility Facilitator.” You understand that a university’s policies can feel like a maze to a new student. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Student Support,” turning confusion into a clear path toward graduation. We look for “Integrity-first” assistants who are organized, empathetic, and ready to collaborate with a diverse team of professional advisors.

Joining MRU means joining a community dedicated to undergraduate excellence in one of Canada’s most enterprising cities. We offer a flexible work environment where your growth as a professional is supported through shared learning and institutional training. If you are a communicator with a commitment to “Accuracy and Student Empowerment,” we invite you to submit your cover letter and resume by March 23, 2026.

Mount Royal University: A Legacy of “Students First”

Mount Royal University (MRU) is defined by a culture that prioritizes the undergraduate experience above all else. Its mission, “Opening minds and changing lives,” is supported by a community-focused environment where small class sizes (averaging 30 students) and direct access to professors are the hallmarks. MRU holds the prestigious Ashoka U Changemaker Campus designation, reflecting a deeply embedded culture of social innovation, Indigenization, and community prosperity. The internal vibe is collaborative and “uniquely MRU”—balancing a 100-year history with a bold, future-focused approach to “meaningful and engaged learning.”

The MRU footprint is centered in southwest Calgary, offering a “mini-city” feel that blends academic rigor with high-tier recreation:

• Lincoln Park Campus (Main Hub): Located at 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, this 120-acre campus is the university’s primary home. It features “Main Street,” a central pedestrian corridor that serves as the social and event artery of the school.

• Riddell Library and Learning Centre: A modern, four-storey facility that serves as the “intellectual heart” of the campus, featuring state-of-the-art maker spaces and data visualization labs.

• Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts: Home to the stunning Bella Concert Hall, this LEED Gold-certified venue is a premier cultural destination for both students and the broader Calgary arts community.

• Cougars Athletics and Recreation: A massive complex including an eight-lane salt water pool, a 12-metre climbing wall, and Kenyon Court, where the MRU Cougars compete.

• Springbank Campus: Located west of the city (317 Noorduyn Park), this specialized campus is home to the Aviation program, featuring a private hangar and training facilities at the Springbank Airport.

Working or studying at MRU means being part of a “changemaker” ecosystem. Whether you are collaborating in the Trico Changemakers Studio or researching in the Iniskim Centre, the experience is anchored in a commitment to “belonging and boldness.” It is a place where academic theory is consistently put into practice through community service learning, ensuring that graduates are ready to lead with both skill and empathy in an evolving world.