South University – Savannah GA Looking for Academic Counselor at Austin, TX  Full Time

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 the 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.

KEY JOB ELEMENTS:

• 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 students’ acclimation to the academic environment prior to the first class by reviewing the enrollment process, providing an overview of the online 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 the management of student information through adherence to FERPA requirements and Record Management Policies.
• Participate and successfully complete all academic counselor training and development activities.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related degree is required.
• Academic advising or academic counseling experience preferred.
• 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.

ENVIRONMENT:

The environment is dynamic and goal-oriented, requiring multi-tasking of responsibilities at all times. This position requires the ability to work effectively with a variety of personalities both within the school and with the public. A caring and self-directed nature is essential. Must possess a desire and ability to study, practice, and obtain additional knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis to remain well-versed in financial aid program offerings, policies, and procedures. The operating environment requires strict adherence to all regulatory requirements and internal policies. The position works extensively with the financial aid staff and the admissions department personnel. Outside contacts include prospective students and applicants, their families and guests, and others such as government agencies, public school systems, and private businesses.

The duties and characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office or school, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe, and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.

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.