Academic Advisor Career Ladder

The Academic Advisor Career Ladder at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a structured, four-tier advancement framework designed to recognize, reward, and promote excellence in undergraduate academic advising. Developed by the Academic Advisor Career Ladder Work Group, the career ladder establishes clear expectations, transparent criteria, and meaningful pathways for professional growth.

Grounded in the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Core Competencies, the career ladder affirms the essential role academic advisors play in student success, retention, and degree completion. Advancement is earned through demonstrated expertise, sustained contribution, and documented professional development, as reflected in an advising portfolio. 

Structure

The Academic Advisor Career Ladder consists of four tiers. The progression through the Career Ladder can be understood as an expansion of focus in the practice of advising: 

Tier I (Academic Advisor 1): Building the Foundation of Advising Practice

• Academic Advisors establish an effective advising practice by developing their advising identity, building expertise in advising theory, institutional policies, and student support, and providing high-quality advising to students within their assigned department or college. 
• Primary Focus: Who am I as an advisor, and how do I effectively support students? 

Tier II (Academic Advisor 2): Strengthening Practice Through Contribution

• Academic Advisors demonstrate consistent, reflective advising practice while contributing to the success of their department or college through collaboration, service, professional engagement, and continuous improvement. They begin extending their influence beyond individual advising appointments to improve advising processes and support colleagues. 
• Primary Focus: How can I intentionally strengthen my advising practice and contribute to my advising community? 

Tier III (Academic Advisor 3): Leading Through Collaboration

• Academic Advisors expand their influence beyond their immediate work by leading initiatives, mentoring colleagues, collaborating across departments and colleges, and contributing to institutional improvements in advising and student success. They share expertise, develop others, and help shape effective advising practices. 
• Primary Focus: How can I help strengthen advising within my department, college, and the broader university community? 

Tier IV (Senior Advisor): Advancing Institutional and Professional Excellence

• Senior Advisors provide strategic leadership by mentoring advisors, leading institutional initiatives, advancing assessment and scholarship, and contributing to the profession through service, innovation, and thought leadership. Their work shapes advising practices both within the institution and across the broader academic advising community. 
• Primary Focus: How can I help others become exceptional advisors and strengthen advising practices across the institution and profession? 

Eligibility & Advancement Criteria

The career ladder is open to full-time professional undergraduate academic advisors employed by ETSU, including advisors located within academic colleges and the University Advisement Center (UAC). 

To apply for advancement, advisors must: 

• Demonstrate achievement of tier-specific criteria
• Secure approval from their supervisor and dean (or dean designee) prior to application 
• Meet the required years of service and education for the desired tier

Criteria for advancement establish the professional expectations advisors must demonstrate through their portfolio to advance within the Academic Advisor Career Ladder. These criteria reflect increasing levels of advising expertise, professional responsibility, institutional contribution, and leadership appropriate to each tier and provide the framework for evaluating an advisor's professional growth, advising practice, contributions, and impact. 

Detailed tier-by-tier criteria is available in the Career Ladder Manual. 

Career Ladder Manual

Application Process

Advancement occurs through a portfolio-based application process:

Review & Decision Process

Review committees are convened annually to evaluate applications using a Standardized Portfolio Assessment Rubric and include representation from academic advisement leadership across campus. Recommendations for advancement are made to the Colleges. Approved advancements take effect at the beginning of the next fiscal year (July 1). 

Timeline

Applications are reviewed annually. Specific deadlines are published each year.