Advising Specialist

University of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

The University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC invites applications for an Advising Specialist to support graduate nursing students through advisement, course planning, and coordination with the clinical placement team.

The role involves recruiting, guiding registration and degree planning, maintaining data and reports, and acting as a liaison between students and sites. Requires a bachelor’s degree and 2+ years’ related experience.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 2+ years of related experience.
• Preference for experience with student information systems Starfish, Navigate, and Banner.
• Successful background check is required.
• Ability to adapt emerging technologies to meet educational outcomes.
• Proficient in database applications and excellent organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Recruit for the graduate nursing program by contacting leads or prospective graduate students by phone and/or email.
• Perform academic advising and registration for graduate nursing majors enrolled in nursing masters and doctoral programs.
• Navigate students through major transitions of college enrollment and maintain an advising load.
• Maintain accurate data for reports and informed decision-making, monitor advising software and records.

Skills

Database applications

Organizational skills

Tech adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Starfish

Navigate

Banner

Job description

Advising Specialist

Advising Specialist is responsible for advising prospective and enrolled graduate nursing students, promoting good advisement practices, serving as a liaison for supporting graduate students through the clinical placement process, and assisting with academic support. Advising Specialists assess students’ needs, goals, interests, and prior academic experiences in order to guide students in the design and implementation of a successful academic plan. This position will serve students enrolled in the masters and doctoral programs in the Mary Black College of Nursing. Will perform a variety of duties to assist program director(s) and faculty. Advising Specialist will apply policies, balance priorities, and work with limited supervision.

• Job Duty Recruit for the graduate nursing program by contacting leads or prospective graduate students derived from lists, referrals, and advertisements by phone and/or email. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 30


• Job Duty Performs academic advising and registration for graduate nursing majors enrolled in nursing masters and doctoral programs. Guide students through course planning and registration processes. Refer students to campus resources needed to meet individual needs. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20


• Job Duty Navigate students through the major transitions of college enrollment. Maintains an advising load and work 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


• Job Duty 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. Maintains all electronic advisement records. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10


• Job Duty Serve as a liaison between graduate nursing students and the clinical placement coordinator. Guide students through placement timelines, processes, and expectations. Support and facilitate students in identifying and securing appropriate practicum sites. Ensure students obtain a confirmed clinical site in advance of required clinical rotations to support timely academic progression. Confirm that required clinical affiliation agreements are in place for identified sites. Assist students in preparing required documentation and materials specified by clinical sites for submission to the clinical placement coordinator. Communicate student needs or concerns to appropriate personnel. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15


• Job Duty Other duties as assigned. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 2 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 Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials Preferred Qualifications Experience working with student information systems Starfish, Navigate, and/or Banner is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities A successful background check is required. Ability to adapt emerging technologies to meet varied educational outcomes. Proficient in database applications. Knowledge of computer hardware and software equipment installation, use, and troubleshooting. Excellent organizational skills.

Salary: Anticipated Hiring Range $45,181 - $46,167; Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Location: USC Upstate, Spartanburg, SC

Contract: Part/Full Time Full Time

Hours per Week: 37.5

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; 8:30am – 5pm; Some evenings and weekends as needed are required.

Basis: 12 months

Job Open Date: 08/31/2026

Desired Start Date: 10/05/2026

Number of Vacancies: 1

Job Close Date: Open Until Filled Yes

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.

• Health and Life Insurance


• Retirement Programs


• Paid Tuition Program


• Dependent Scholarships


• Employee Assistance Program ( EAP )


• Annual Leave


• Sick Leave


• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)


• Paid Parental Leave\ i>
  
• Professional Development Opportunities

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.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter


• Resume

Optional Documents

• Other Supporting Documents


• List of References and Contact Information