Academic Counselor

What's next for you is the first priority for us! With over 45 programs from associate to doctoral degrees, South University is a private institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities that spark the intellectual, social and professional development of a diverse student population. 

Our 120-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 the students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of South University. Online and at our 8 locations and 2 learning sites, we take pride in our welcoming environment; one-on-one support and personalized attention that helps students define goals and identify the means to pursue them. Our small classes feature hands-on experiences that not only shape students’ skills and excellence in their chosen fields but also shape their characters through encouraging community involvement, volunteerism and the pursuit of life-long learning.  

Visit www.southuniversity.edu today to learn more about what makes us stand apart as a place to Belong, Believe and Become, 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

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.

KEY JOB ELEMENTS:

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.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related degree required.
• 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The environment is dynamic and goal oriented requiring multi-tasking of responsibilities at all times. This position requires the ability to work effectively with a variety of personalities both within the school and with the public.  A caring and self-directed nature is essential.  Must possess a desire and ability to study, practice and obtain additional knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis to remain well versed in financial aid program offerings, policies and procedures. The operating environment requires strict adherence to all regulatory requirements and internal policies.  The position works extensively with the financial aid staff and the admissions department personnel.  Outside contacts include prospective students and applicants, their families and guests, and others such as government agencies, public school systems and private businesses.  

The duties and characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office or school, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.

 
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.