Academic Advisor

USM Foundation; Hattiesburg (MS); On-site; USD 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern Mississippi is seeking an Academic Advisor to support student success through onboarding, degree planning, and engagement in majors. The role includes guiding students, assisting faculty advisors, and aiding with undergraduate recruitment and retention initiatives.

This full-time position (40 hours/week) requires collaboration with staff and faculty, with occasional evenings or weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least one year experience in an academic environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication, and ability to work with diverse student populations.
• Knowledge of academic policies and degree plans relevant to advising.

Responsibilities

• Advise students on academic requirements and degree progression to support success.
• Respond to walk-ins, emails, phone calls, and videoconferencing with timely, accurate information.
• Provide backup for faculty advisors and assist with recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Assist with course substitutions, undergraduate exception requests, and graduation applications.
• Coordinate undergraduate recruitment, orientation, and retention events.

Skills

Excellent communication

Time management

Caseload management

Independent work

Team collaboration

Student services knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Academic Advisor.

Location Hattiesburg
118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001
United States

Division School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering

Position Type Staff

Employment Status Full Time

Grant Funded No

Pay Grade X06

Posting Close Date November 24, 2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in theUnited States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. TheUniversity will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Job Summary

The AcademicAdvisor works to cultivate student success by 1) assisting students in theirtransition to the University, 2) facilitating students’ efforts to plan theirpath to degree, 3) promoting engagement in their major and 4) connectingstudents with key campus resources. Inaddition to working with students in their caseload, advisors will also respondto walk-in student needs, provide support to faculty advisors, and assist with undergraduaterecruitment and retention initiatives. The position of advisor is a full-time(40 hour/week) position and limited evenings and/or weekend hours are expected.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively and effectively with other advisors, staff, and faculty in the School, utilizing evidence-based best practices for advising to increase student success.
• Meet with students to advise them in matters pertaining to academic requirements and progression toward degree completion; proactively reach out to students to ensure they are meeting expectations; refer students to resources on campus as appropriate and ensure student issues are addressed efficiently and effectively; respond to student questions, including walk-ins, emails, phone, and videoconferencing, with a helpful attitude, correct information, and timeliness;
• Provide backup for faculty advisors in the unit when faculty are not available or at the request of the school director.
• Assist students and faculty advisors with University processes such as course substitutions, undergraduate exception requests, and graduation applications.Work with students as necessary to complete Academic Improvement Plans and Academic Clearance forms.
• Coordinate and participate in undergraduate recruitment, orientation, and retention events and initiatives.
• Engage in professional development and training to improve advising skills, including recognizing and supporting the needs of diverse student populations, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college oruniversity and at least one year experience working in an academic environmentor an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
• Commitment to professional development and growth
• Ability to work independently to manage caseloads, demonstrating strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management
• Knowledge of academic policies/procedures and major/degree plans according to the advisor’s area, in addition to student resources throughout the University
• Flexibility in using problem-solving skills and initiative to assist individual students with particular issues and identify methods to improve office processes and systems
• Ability to work effectively as a team member and develop collaborative and productive professional relationships in pursuit of shared goals.
• Skill in working with diverse students to foster an inclusive community that recognizes the value of all people, regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, ability, or socioeconomic status.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Prior experience with advisement, student coaching, or other student academic support work, especially with everyone.

Educational background in a field related to higher education, student services, or counseling.

Educational background and/or work experience with one or more of the disciplinary areas that the advisors will serve (computing, cybersecurity, or engineering.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of SouthernMississippi has remained dedicated to preparingstudents for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 studentsin Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across theMississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Weare a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one ofthe nation's leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work inpolymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringinglanguage to children with communication disorders. We are also a nationalleader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography,nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enterfields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs suchas computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation ofbusiness leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages byproducing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition ofexcellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nationaccredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, ourstudent-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion andpersistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu .

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its service, programs, and activities.

If reasonable accomodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other beneifts and privileges of employment, please contact:

The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Labor Regulatory Compliance

[e-mail]

McLemore Hall (MCL) 310 | 118 College Drive #5111 | Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone] | TTY/TDD: 1.800.582.2233

Employment Notices

Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Click on the links below to learn more about employer requirements and your right to work:

If you have questions, please email the Human Resources department at [e-mail].

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

TheUniversity of Southern Mississippi is committed to the safety andsecurity of the USM community. The annual federal required compliancedocument which contains policy statements and crime statistics for theUniversity is available on the UPD website at http://www.usm.edu/police/.You may also request a copy by contacting the University PoliceDepartment at Bond Hall, 1st Floor West, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 [phone]. The policy statements address the University's policies, procedures and programs concerning safety and security, for example, policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses. Three years' of statistics are included for certain types of crimes thatwere reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off-campus buildingsor property owned or controlled by the University and on publicproperty within or immediately adjacent to the campus.