Academic Advisor III

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and the state’s flagship university. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton.

About the Department

The College of Engineering at the University of Georgia is one of the fastest growing programs at UGA and one of the fastest growing public colleges of engineering in the nation. Since its founding in 2012, enrollment has grown to over 2,400 students. The college focuses on opportunities for learning, discovery, and innovation at the confluence of disciplines. It offers BS, MS, and PhD degree programs through four schools: School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering; School of Computing; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; and School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural, and Mechanical Engineering.

About the Role

This Academic Advisor III position within UGA’s College of Engineering supports incoming and current engineering undergraduate students in their academic pursuits. The role involves providing proactive, tailored resources and advocacy to help students navigate their educational journeys and reach their goals. The Advisor III will manage a caseload of approximately 275-305 advisees and report directly to the College of Engineering Director of Advising.

Responsibilities

• Lead students through curriculum planning and registration each semester; develop processes and methods for maintaining accurate records and utilize existing records to inform advising practice.
• Facilitate advising sessions by engaging students holistically and inviting them into the advising process.
• Provide guidance to students on progress toward graduation.
• Understand, communicate, and explain requirements, policies, procedures, and the use of student-facing technologies (Degree Works, SAGE, Athena, etc.).
• Respond to student needs and provide targeted support related to student decision-making, exploration, and development.
• Collaborate with students to integrate degree progress, interests, and abilities into future planning.
• Solicit and use student feedback to assess student needs and enhance personal, unit, and campus-wide advising practice.
• Demonstrate consistent, streamlined, and strategic communication while maintaining professionalism and clarity.
• Find and use advising-related information, reports, and data to enhance personal, unit, and campus-wide advising practice.
• Proactively and effectively communicate with students, staff, faculty, peers, and leadership.
• Support Advisor I and Advisor II staff in their learning and development.
• Partner with the Director of Advising on special projects such as data reports, process improvements, and audits as needed.
• Assess areas for improvement related to projects, initiatives, systems, and procedures; initiate action on areas for improvement.
• Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of high-impact practices by tailoring recommendations to student goals, program of study, and personality.
• Provide holistic, personalized guidance to diverse student populations, including first-generation, transfer, historically underrepresented in STEM, international, students with disabilities, rural, low-income, and veteran/military students.
• Stay abreast of current degree program procedures, policies, curriculum requirements, and UGA-wide policies for employees and academic advisors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience.
• Advanced knowledge of university and college degree requirements.
• Expertise in interpreting and communicating requirements to students, faculty, and staff.
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced knowledge of the University’s electronic student systems and databases (e.g., Degree Works, SAGE, Athena).
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships for student success, team success, and continuous professional learning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of UGA’s Academic Advising Certificate Program.
• Experience working with SAGE, DegreeWorks, Athena, and other advising software utilized by UGA/USG institutions.

Benefits

This is a benefits-eligible, full-time position under the TRS or ORP retirement plan.

Pay

Advertised salary of $60,000, commensurate with experience.

Schedule

This is a full-time position on the main Athens campus. Standard business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.