Academic Advisor

Clayton State University; Lake City (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Clayton State University is seeking an Academic Advisor to execute an advising strategy across several degree programs within the Center for Advising and Retention. You will be the frontline contact for undergraduate students, interpreting course descriptions, requirements, and registration procedures to promote persistence to graduation.

The role emphasizes high-quality advising, excellent customer service, and building relationships that empower students to achieve academic and career goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and One (1) or more years of related work experience, preferably in higher education required.
• Knowledge of student information systems (e.g., Banner).
• Knowledge of academic disciplines related to advising; proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with degree audit tools (DegreeWorks preferred).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Must be flexible and able to prioritize tasks and function independently with minimal supervision; must be able to work cooperatively and diplomatically with supervisors, colleagues, students, and external agencies.
• Ability to work effectively with students from varied academic backgrounds, special needs, and multicultural experiences.
• Ability to work flexible schedules (some evenings and Saturdays are required).
• Ability to encourage and motivate students to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, advise, and track the retention, progression, and graduation of students within an assigned population.
• Execute and evaluate advising campaigns in collaboration with the Assistant Director and/or Director.
• Provide foundational support while advising students on academic, career, and life goals.
• Make recommendations regarding academic advising matters to the Assistant Director.
• Advise students regarding academic programs, curricula, and course selection.
• Maintain student records throughout their academic careers and update records as necessary.
• Disseminate information regarding university policies and procedures to faculty, parents, students, and other stakeholders.
• Provide assistance and advising to students regarding program admission requirements, registration, probation, academic suspension, and other academic policies and procedures.
• Conduct orientation sessions for groups of incoming students.
• Conduct informational outreach to classes and student groups.
• Audit student records for curriculum, major, and graduation requirement compliance.
• Follow up with students who receive failing midterm or final grades.
• Compare transcripts against admission and graduation requirements and advise students on appropriate actions.
• Refer students with academic discrepancies to the appropriate university officials for further action.
• Assist in the preparation of special reports related to enrollment and associated matters.
• Evaluate and maintain student records for degree requirements using the academic evaluation system; monitor student registration activities and academic progress.
• Coordinate communications with students regarding course scheduling, core and major requirements, academic resources and related information.
• Participate in college and institutional student success initiatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Multicultural experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Banner

DegreeWorks

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Academic Advisor
Location: Clayton State University
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 305036

About Us

Located in Morrow, Georgia, Clayton State University is roughly 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta. The university offers employees an adaptable, collaborative environment that fosters professional and personal development.

The university is committed to having a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Clayton State offers multiple certificates, Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degree programs, which currently enroll over 5,500 students in challenging campus and online courses.

Clayton State's main campus is situated on 214 beautiful acres in a lakeside setting just minutes from downtown Atlanta, making access to the vibrant metropolitan area swift. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has named the university a Top Workplace in Atlanta for six consecutive years. The Chronicle of Higher Education also named Clayton State one of 79 higher education institutions across the nation in its list of 2017 Great Colleges to Work For.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for executing an academic advising strategy that supports student retention, progression, and graduation across several degree programs within Clayton State University's Center for Advising and Retention.

Serve as the frontline contact for undergraduate students seeking academic advising, fostering engagement and empowering students to achieve their academic and career goals. Build meaningful relationships with students by interpreting information related to course descriptions, program requirements, prerequisites, and registration procedures. Play a vital role in maximizing undergraduate student persistence through graduation. The Advisor provides excellent customer service and high-quality advising support to students.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, advise, and track the retention, progression, and graduation of students within an assigned population.
• Execute and evaluate advising campaigns in collaboration with the Assistant Director and/or Director.
• Provide foundational support while advising students on academic, career, and life goals.
• Make recommendations regarding academic advising matters to the Assistant Director.
• Advise students regarding academic programs, curricula, and course selection.
• Maintain student records throughout their academic careers and update records as necessary.
• Disseminate information regarding university policies and procedures to faculty, parents, students, and other stakeholders.
• Provide assistance and advising to students regarding program admission requirements, registration, probation, academic suspension, and other academic policies and procedures.
• Conduct orientation sessions for groups of incoming students.
• Conduct informational outreach to classes and student groups.
• Audit student records for curriculum, major, and graduation requirement compliance.
• Follow up with students who receive failing midterm or final grades.
• Compare transcripts against admission and graduation requirements and advise students on appropriate actions.
• Refer students with academic discrepancies to the appropriate university officials for further action.
• Assist in the preparation of special reports related to enrollment and associated matters.
• Evaluate and maintain student records for degree requirements using the academic evaluation system; monitor student registration activities and academic progress.
• Coordinate communications with students regarding course scheduling, core and major requirements, academic resources and related information.
• Participate in college and institutional student success initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and One (1) or more years of related work experience, preferably in higher education required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of student information systems (e.g., Banner).
• Knowledge of academic disciplines related to advising; proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with degree audit tools (DegreeWorks preferred).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Must be flexible and able to prioritize tasks and function independently with minimal supervision; must be able to work cooperatively and diplomatically with supervisors, colleagues, students, and external agencies.
• Ability to work effectively with students from varied academic backgrounds, special needs, and multicultural experiences.
• Ability to work flexible schedules (some evenings and Saturdays are required).
• Ability to encourage and motivate students to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Clayton State University will have a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Our statement of core values is adaptability, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and people-centered. Each Clayton State University community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on Clayton State's Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct can be found online at https://www.clayton.edu/strategic-plan/mission-vision-values and https://www.clayton.edu/human-resources/current-employees/resources-policies

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation, including a criminal background check demonstrating eligibility for employment with Clayton State University, as determined by Clayton State University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Candidate must disclose potential, actual, or apparent conflicts of interest in compliance.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations of this institution and the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of Clayton State University and the University System of Georgia (USG). Clayton State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status "protected status". No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any Clayton State University program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Clery Disclosure

This position may be considered a Campus Security Authority, CSA. A Campus Security Authority is a Clery-specific term that encompasses certain departments, groups, and individual employees who have a duty to report crimes they become aware of, as defined by the Clery Act.