Academic Counselor II

southu; United States; Remote; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

South University is seeking an Academic Counselor to provide student-centered advising throughout the student lifecycle, coordinating course scheduling, timely information responses, and referrals to university resources. You will advocate for students and collaborate with Admissions, Financial Aid, Faculty, Program Directors, and Support Services to improve retention and graduation outcomes.

Responsibilities include proactive advising, monitoring progress, FERPA compliance, and mentorship for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; Master’s preferred.
• 3–5 years of academic advising or counseling experience.
• Customer service experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent customer service.
• Strong interpersonal skills with students and faculty.
• Proficient with MS Office; exposure to Student Information Systems or CRM systems (Campus Vue/Nexus preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized proactive advising to all assigned students.
• Drive persistence and success via orientation, learning platform exposure, and class scheduling.
• Develop schedules for diverse student populations and guide progress toward graduation.
• Maintain direct contact with students via phone, text, and e-mail; respond promptly.
• Monitor attendance, grades, progress, and financial responsibilities; develop at-risk plans with faculty and support services.
• Explain policies from the University Catalog and handbooks; guide grade challenges or appeals.
• Assist new students acclimate to the environment; review enrollment and graduation options.
• Support reinstatement processes for returning students; monitor progress to graduation.
• Utilize SIS, LMS, and related databases effectively; maintain FERPA compliance.
• Complete training, mentor new counselors, and participate in onboarding as requested.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Teamwork in virtual environment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Campus Vue

Campus Nexus

Job description

POSITION 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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide individualized proactive advising to all assigned students.
• Drive student persistence and success through orientation, exposure to the learning platform, effective class scheduling, and monitoring degree progress to graduation.
• 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.
• Maintain direct contact with assigned students via phone, text and e-mail; respond to student inbound communication within established timeframes
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Effectively access and perform assigned duties using the Student Information System, Learning Management System and relevant databases.
• Maintain compliance with management of student information through adherence to FERPA requirements and Record Management Policies.
• Participate and successfully complete all academic counselor training and development activities; mentor new Academic Counselors and participate in onboarding as requested
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in a related degree required, Master’s preferred
• Experience:
• 3-5 years Academic advising or academic counseling experience
• 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.
• Able to develop productive relationships with students, colleagues and supervisors in a virtual environment
• Able to effectively present information and respond to questions or requests from students, staff and faculty
• Able to create and act on academic reports and forecasts
• Ability to interact effectively as a member of a team and work collaboratively with other departments
• Able to adapt to changing assignments and multiple priorities
• Ability to work without close supervision and to set one's own priorities and work schedule

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

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.