Academic Advisor

Academic Advisor

The application must be completed including all current and previous work history and education. A resume may be attached, but not substituted for completing work history and education sections of the application.

USC Upstate offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition Program
• Dependent Scholarships
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Academic Advisors are responsible for advising declared, undeclared, and prospective students, promoting good advisement practices, and assisting with academic support. Academic advisors assess students' needs, goals, interests, and prior academic experiences in order to guide students in the design and implementation of a successful academic plan. This position will serve NSE majors at the USC Upstate. Responsible for coordinating comprehensive programs and initiatives that promote student success, including academic support, professionalism and protocol training, and career development.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience - Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications - Master's degree with a minimum of 1 year experience in higher education academic advising, academic support services, first-year experience programming, career counseling or related field. Preferred exceptional leadership skills and excellent computer skills, written, and oral communication skills. Experience in student success initiatives, academic support, first year student programming, or counseling in high school or higher education required. Previous work experience with undergraduates in an institution of higher learning strongly preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities - A successful background check is required. Knowledge of student success initiatives, academic support, first year student programming, or counseling in high school or higher education required. Excellent organizational, management, and office skills. Demonstrated skills working successfully in a high-traffic, high-demand environment and ability to meet deadlines in a timely manner. Information technology proficiency in database and spreadsheet software and Microsoft Office products.

Job Duties

• Navigate students through the major transitions of college enrollment. Provide programming for students as they enter, continue to enroll, and leave the institution. Maintains an advising load and works directly with students to accomplish educational goals. Key aspects include maintenance of the integrity of academic policies, while being a student advocate and fostering a culture of student responsibility and success, providing students with information about possible consequences of academic decisions, and creating plans of study. Must maintain current knowledge of degree programs.
• Assist students in the development of an educational plan including choosing a program of study and/or clarifying educational goals.
• Oversee academic advising and registration for assigned NSE majors. Educate students about course planning and registration processes. Refer students to campus resources to meet individual needs.
• Improve student preparedness for job search activities and professionalism in the workplace.
• Assist with coordination of outreach to at-risk students.
• Maintains accurate data for reports and informed decision-making. Keeps advising statistics, work schedule, and other reporting documents up-to-date. Monitor and respond to students using advising software (Starfish).
• Teach UNIV101 (College Success Seminar).
• Cross-trained to assist in enrollment services during peak times.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.