Academic Advisor

Academic Advisor
University of South Carolina Upstate
STA00474PO26
Spartanburg, SC

Academic Advisors are responsible for advising current and prospective students, promoting good advisement practices, and assisting with academic support. Academic advisors assess students’ needs, goals, interests, and prior academic experiences to guide students in designing and implementing a successful academic plan. Advisors are also responsible for promoting student success, including academic support and career exploration. This position will primarily serve Interdisciplinary Studies majors and is assigned by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success.

• 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 maintaining 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. Assists students during OAR and participates in open house events, FAB Friday, and other student recruitment events. Complete plans of study.
• Conduct preliminary evaluations of transfer credits and their applicability to degree requirements in collaboration with the IDS Director for both prospective and admitted students. Ensure students receive maximum transfer credit and an optimized degree audit upon admission. Work with students to clarify educational goals and align them with appropriate Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) programs.
• Provide academic advising for assigned majors and monitor student registration. Educate students about course planning and registration processes. Refer students to campus resources to meet individual needs.
• Implement targeted outreach to students with at-risk factors.
• Improve student’s career readiness through major exploration and referral to appropriate campus programs and services.
• 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 (Navigate 360).
• Teach UNIV 101 (College Success Seminar).
• Other duties as assigned.

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. A successful background check is required.

Preferred Qualifications: 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.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Successful background check is required. Ability to work and motivate traditional as well as nontraditional students, strong computer and interpersonal skills required. USC Upstate standard office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. However, this position will involve some evening, weekend, and/or conference travel.

Excellent organizational, management, and office skills. Demonstrated experience working successfully in a high-traffic, high-demand environment and ability to meet deadlines in a timely manner. Information technology proficiency in databases and spreadsheet software and Microsoft Office products.

Salary Range: $48,726 – $50,000; Salary commensurate with education and experience.

For more information and/or to apply, go to https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/208416

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

The University of South Carolina is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. Women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.