Academic Advisor I

Job Description

The Academic Advisor I in the Office of Transfer Student Success provides academic advising and transfer support to prospective and current transfer students, with a significant portion of the position focused on establishing a regular advising presence at USF's top feeder institutions, primarily Hillsborough College (HC). The advisor will maintain recurring on-site availability at partner campuses to advise students preparing to transfer to USF, assist partner college advisors with USF-related questions and student-specific barriers, and help students navigate academic planning, transfer admission, major requirements, and the transition to USF. The position will also provide advising services on USF campuses as needed. Regular local travel between USF and partner institutions is an essential and recurring function of this position. The role is designed to contribute to institutional priorities and key performance indicators related to transfer enrollment, progression, retention, timely graduation, and overall transfer student success.

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at .

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group advising to prospective and current transfer students regarding academic
  planning, major selection, transfer admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, academic policies and procedures, and USF resources.
• Maintain a regular and recurring on-site advising presence at designated feeder institutions, primarily
  Hillsborough College, to provide students with direct access to USF transfer advising and support.
• Serve as an accessible USF resource for advisors and staff at partner institutions by assisting with questions, transfer barriers, complex or student-specific situations, and clarification of USF requirements and processes.
• Collaborate with partner-college advisors to help students develop appropriate transfer plans, identify required coursework, and address issues that may affect transfer eligibility or progression toward USF.
• Assist students with identification of long-term academic and career goals and help them select transfer pathways and majors aligned with those goals.
• Advise students on major reselection and alternative academic pathways when their original intended major or transfer plan is no longer appropriate or attainable.
• Provide advising and transfer support on USF campuses, including assistance to prospective transfer students, newly admitted students, and transfer students during their transition and first semester at USF.
• Support the Fuse program and other transfer pathway initiatives through student advising, coordination with
  partner institutions, outreach, and assistance with program-related activities.
• Participate in transfer outreach, information sessions, and selected events or programming that support
  transfer preparation, transition, and student success.
• Maintain accurate advising records and protect confidential student information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and university policies and procedures.
• Utilize USF information systems and advising technologies to support the delivery, documentation, and coordination of advising services.
• Communicate recurring transfer issues, student barriers, and partner feedback to Office of Transfer Student Success leadership to support continuous improvement of transfer processes and services.
• Support key institutional metrics and performance indicators related to transfer enrollment, student
  progression, retention, timely graduation, and transfer student success through proactive advising, partner engagement, outreach, and identification of barriers to transfer.
• Pursue professional development opportunities to maintain awareness of best practices, policies, and research related to transfer student advising and success.
• Travel regularly to Hillsborough College and other designated partner or feeder institutions throughout the local service area. The frequency and location of travel may vary based on student needs, partner needs, programming, and office priorities.
• Perform related duties as required or deemed necessary to meet the academic advising and transfer support needs of the Office of Transfer Student Success.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• This position requires a bachelor's degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Psychology, or an applicable discipline. Work experience may not be substituted for the bachelor's degree requirement.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate ( is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:


The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.