Academic Counselor

South University provides a warm, supportive learning environment that will encourage you to join a community of faculty, staff and students eager to play a role in helping you achieve your professional goals, on campus and online.

The South University 125-year story-past, present, and future-is a history formed by the many individuals who have developed the education and spirit of community that have become our pledge to students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of South University. Whether you have been part of the University family for many years, have recently come our way, or are thinking about joining us, you will find South University to be a place you can call home.

What's next for you is the first priority for us!

Visit today to learn more about what makes us stand apart as a place where you can make a difference in the lives of students eager to learn and grow.

South University, the right direction for a brighter future.


Benefits:


*Medical


*Dental


*Vision


FSA/HSA


Tuition Assistant Program


Long/Short Term Disability


Life Insurance


Employee Assistance Program

401K Match

Paid Time Off


12 Paid Holidays


* includes domestic partner coverage


POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for providing student centered academic counseling through the student lifecycle and for ensuring the delivery of effective and quality service to students in the following areas: course scheduling, timely response to requests for information, at risk student interventions and referrals to University resources. This is accomplished through proactively advising students of University's policies and procedures, assisting students with developing goals and plans for progression through the program of study, and collaborating with Admissions, Financial Aid, Faculty, Program Directors, and University Support Services on the student's behalf. This position provides comprehensive support services and serves as the primary advocate for the assigned student body, aimed to improve the student experience and retention to graduation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are representative of the essential responsibilities of this position. Additional duties may be assigned.

1. Provide individualized proactive advising to all assigned students.
2. Drive student persistence and success through orientation, exposure to the learning platform, effective class scheduling, and monitoring degree progress to graduation.
3. Develop course schedules for new, continuing, transfer and reentry students aligned with course sequencing in the curriculum and provide advisement focused on academic progress toward graduation in the shortest time possible for the student, as applicable to their individual situation.
4. Maintain direct contact with assigned students via phone, text and e-mail; respond to student inbound communication within established timeframes.
5. Monitor student's attendance, grades, academic progress, and financial responsibilities, and develop success plans for at-risk students, or those experiencing challenges, in collaboration with faculty, academic leadership and University support services.
6. Demonstrate proficiency with understanding and communicating policies in the University Catalog, Student Handbook and Programmatic Handbooks as they relate to assigned students, such as Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, Attendance Policies, Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policies, Conduct Policies and Appeals Procedures. Provide guidance to assigned students for academic procedures such as grade challenges or appeals.
7. Facilitate new student's acclimation to the academic environment prior to the first class by reviewing the enrollment process, providing an overview of the on-line or campus classroom and reviewing graduation progression options. Audit student academic records regularly and determine progression towards and candidacy for graduation.
8. Assist students reentering the university after being withdrawn or dismissed from the University with the reinstatement process, monitor student progress to graduation, provide proactive advising, and develop interventions as needed.
9. Effectively access and perform assigned duties using the Student Information System, Learning Management System and relevant databases.
10. Maintain compliance with management of student information through adherence to FERPA requirements and Record Management Policies.
11. Participate and successfully complete all academic counselor training and development activities.
12. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIRED QULIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related degree required.

Experience:

• Academic advising or academic counseling experience preferred.
• Customer Service experience preferred.
• Strong basic computer software (MS Office) skills as well as exposure to Customer Relationship Management Systems or Student Information Systems (Campus Vue/Campus Nexus preferred)

• Excellent customer service skills, as well as strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with student and faculty populations.
• Effective organizational and problem resolution skills.
• Ability to communicate and effectively act as a member of a team.

• Able to develop productive relationships with students, colleagues and supervisors in a virtual environment
• Able to effectively present information and respond to questions or requests from students, staff and faculty
• Able to create and act on academic reports and forecasts
• Ability to interact effectively as a member of a team and work collaboratively with other departments.
• Able to adapt to changing assignments and multiple priorities

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

South University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success. We are committed to building and developing a diverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures and perspectives can thrive.