Academic Advisor

University of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 50,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

University of South Carolina Upstate is seeking an Academic Advisor to support students through major transitions and education planning. The role involves advising responsibilities, data reporting, and collaboration with university resources to promote student success.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree and experience in higher education settings, with a possibility of evening/weekend duties and conference travel.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3+ years of job related experience.
• Background check is required. Knowledge of student success initiatives, academic support, first year student programming, or counseling in higher education required.
• Excellent organizational, management, and office skills. Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a high-traffic environment.
• Information technology proficiency in database and spreadsheet software and Microsoft Office products.

Responsibilities

• Navigate students through the major transitions of college enrollment and maintain an advising load.
• Assist students in developing an educational plan including choosing a program of study.
• Oversee academic advising and registration for NSE majors; educate students about course planning and registration processes.
• Improve student preparedness for job search activities and professionalism in the workplace.
• Assist with coordination of outreach to at-risk students.
• Maintain data for reports and advising statistics; use Starfish for tracking.
• Teach UNIV 101 (College Success Seminar).
• Cross-trained to assist in enrollment services during peak times.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Student advising

Organization

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Starfish

Database software

Spreadsheet software

Job description

Position Details

Location of Vacancy: USC Upstate, Spartanburg, SC

Contract: Full Time

Hours per Week: 37.5

Work Schedule: 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.

Basis: 12 months

Job Search Category: Student Services

About USC

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits

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

Benefits for FTE Positions: The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Salary

Anticipated Hiring Range: $49,700 - $50,000; Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Job Title

Academic Advisor

Position Level: P3 - Professional Business Title (Internal Title) Academic Advisor Campus Upstate Work County Spartanburg College/Division USC Upstate College/Division Level Department UPS Student Success Center State Pay Range G08 USC Market Range MRE - $49,700 $60,882 $72,065

Job Duties

• 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 maintenance of 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. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20
• Assist students in the development of an educational plan including choosing a program of study and/or clarifying educational goals. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15
• Oversee academic advising and registration for assigned NSE majors. Educate students about course planning and registration processes. Refer students to campus resources to meet individual needs. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15
• Improve student preparedness for job search activities and professionalism in the workplace. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• Assist with coordination of outreach to at-risk students. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• 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 (Starfish). Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• Teach UNIV 101 (College Success Seminar). Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• Cross-trained to assist in enrollment services during peak times. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No Hazardous weather category Non-Essential Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date 10/01/2026 Job Open Date 09/15/2026 Job Close Date Open Until Filled Yes

Eligibility and Requirements

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience: Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Qualification: Background check is required. Knowledge of student success initiatives, academic support, first year student programming, or counseling in high school or higher education required. Excellent organizational, management, and office skills. Demonstrated skills working successfully in a high-traffic, high-demand environment and ability to meet deadlines in a timely manner. Information technology proficiency in database and spreadsheet software and Microsoft Office products.

Preferred 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. Preferred 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. Previous work experience with undergraduates in an institution of higher learning strongly preferred.

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.