Academic Advisor - School of Construction and Design

University of Southern Mississippi; Hattiesburg (MS); On-site; USD 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern Mississippi seeks an Academic Advisor in the School of Construction and Design to support student success by helping students transition to the University, plan their degree paths, and engage with campus resources.

The role includes advising on degree requirements, working with faculty advisors, supporting undergraduate recruitment and retention initiatives, and maintaining acceptable caseloads with occasional evenings or weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least one year experience working in an academic environment.
• Experience with advisement, student coaching, or other student academic support work preferred.
• Master’s degree in a field related to higher education, student services or counseling preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other advisors, staff, and faculty to boost student success.
• Meet with students to advise on degree requirements and progression toward degree completion.
• Provide backup for faculty advisors when needed.
• Assist with university processes such as course substitutions and graduation applications.
• Coordinate undergraduate recruitment, orientation, and retention initiatives.
• Engage in professional development to support advising for diverse student populations.

Skills

Excellent communication

Professional development

Caseload management

Academic policies & degree plans

Problem solving & initiative

Team collaboration

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Academic Advisor - School of Construction and Design

Academic Advisor - School of Construction and Design

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Academic Advisor - School of Construction and Design.

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

Division School of Construction and Design

Position Type Staff

Employment Status Full Time

Grant Funded No

Salary Range 41,000.00 - 41,000.00

Pay Grade
X06

Posting Close Date Open Until Filled

Job Summary

The Academic Advisor works to cultivate student success by 1) assisting students in their transition to the University, 2) facilitating students’ efforts to plan their path to degree, 3) promoting engagement in their major and 4) connecting students with key campus resources. In addition to working with students in their caseload, advisors will also respond to walk-in student needs, provide support to faculty advisors, and assist with undergraduate recruitment 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least one year experience working in an academic environment or 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

Prior experience with advisement, student coaching, or other student academic support work, especially with diverse student populations.
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Educational background in a field related to higher education, student services, or counseling.

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 programssuchas 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 .

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.

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.