Undergraduate Academic Advisor

About the Role

The Undergraduate Academic Advisor provides individual advising to approximately 300 assigned students (first-year students, transfer students, continuing caseload, or a combination) to assist in transitioning to college, academic planning and progression, and engagement on campus. Advisors possess a working knowledge of college curriculums, university policy, and campus resources. Advisors communicate and meet regularly with students, their assigned College, and the University Advising Center.

Responsibilities

• Academic Advising: Advise approximately 300 assigned undergraduate students on progression requirements, selection of courses, and provide information regarding institutional policies and procedures. Meet one-on-one with all advisees and serve as a primary academic support resource for students. Participate in orientation, review and interpret placement and other standardized test scores, transcripts, courses prerequisites, degree applicability of AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and transfer work. Perform degree audits, monitor student registration activities, and recommend strategies to assist with academic difficulty. Refer students to appropriate staff (counseling, financial aid, etc.) and promote student participation in beyond-the-classroom activities and high-impact practices at USC. Offer advising hours in evenings as needed.
• Student Monitoring, Intervention, & Advising Technology: Maintain systematic and frequent contact with advisees. Facilitate academic intervention by monitoring, identifying, and supporting students with academic difficulties as it pertains to progression and graduation requirements. Keep accurate and confidential electronic records of every student interaction including in-person, phone, and online visits. Assist students with resolution of registration issues. Utilize technologies including EAB Navigate, Self-Service Carolina, scheduling software, Degree Works, etc.
• Assigned College Operations: Support the efforts for assigned College/School/Department(s). Duties include participating in campus events, developing advising materials and presentations to support individual and group student sessions, and serving as a resource for faculty and staff.
• Training & Development: Participate in on-going training to ensure information accuracy and effective advising technique. Responsibilities include completion of online modules provided by the University Advising Center (UAC) and participation in UAC trainings. Stay abreast of changing institutional information including admissions requirements, new programs, course changes, deadlines, important dates, facilities, college-wide initiatives, and state/federal mandates. Utilize various advising techniques such as Appreciative Advising and developmental advising to offer students holistic support.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in a job related field and 1 year of job related experience, OR bachelor's degree and 3 years of job related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree and one year advising experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of undergraduate advising practices and student service as well as experience with technology.
• Thorough knowledge of University Policy and Procedures and functions.
• Excellent verbal, written and oral communication skills.
• High level of organizational and coordination skills; ability to maintain flexibility and professional image while providing leadership under stressful conditions, deadlines, and constant changing schedules.
• Ability to exercise high level of confidentiality and independent initiative and judgement.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Work Schedule

• Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
• 37.5 hours per week
• 12-month basis

Benefits

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