Apply Now Academic CounselorSouth University Pittsburgh, PA, 1250 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of AmericaReq #281 Wednesday, November 13, 2019 Established in 1899, South University (www.southuniversity.edu) is a private, non-profit academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social and professional development of a diverse student population. South University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctorate degrees.

The University traces its heritage to 1899, when Dr. John Draughon established Draughon’s Practical Business College in Savannah, Georgia. Over the past century-plus, South University has experienced continued growth transforming from a two-year college into a university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs. South University’s approach to higher education, and the resulting varied academic experiences, provides students with the pragmatic approach necessary to create the foundation for personal and professional fulfillment.

South University provides a learning environment, both on-campus and online, that helps students identify goals and the means to achieve them. With this philosophy in mind, students can learn by interacting with a community of faculty, staff and administration dedicated to South University’s academic purpose. South University offers more than 50 academic programs across its nine campuses and through online programs.

The University’s academics are organized across five colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, Health Professions, Nursing and Public Health, Theology – and a School of Pharmacy. With the introduction of South University, Online Programs, students can pursue both undergraduate degree and master’s degree programs ranging from the areas of Criminal Justice to Business – giving South University students more opportunities to make a difference, both personally and professionally.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for providing student centered academic counseling through the student life cycle 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 done through, advising students of University’s policies and procedures, and collaborating with Enrollment, Financial Aid, Faculty, Program Directors, and University Support Services on the student’s behalf. Academic Counselors should be proactive in assisting the student to develop long term goals and plans for progress through the program to graduation and transitioning to a career. Incumbent must assure that the South University philosophy: quality services to clients; development, growth, involvement, and recognition of employees; sound economic principles; and environment which is conducive to innovation, positive thinking and expansion is considered in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position.

KEY JOB ELEMENTS:

Provide individualized proactive advising to all assigned students.

Counsel students facing academic challenges and/or personal obstacles utilizing the appreciative advising model and refer students to appropriate support resources as needed.

Drive student persistence and success through orientation, exposure to the learning platform, effective class scheduling, and monitoring degree progress to graduation. Review student schedules and degree progress audits to assure progress toward graduation and accuracy of graduation date (updating date as needed).

Communicate with students proactively and effectively through students preferred method of communication.

Respond to student inbound communication within established timeframes.

Monitor student attendance, and academic progress. Work with students to reengage in their classes if they are not meeting these requirements.

Identify students at-risk for academic failure, and develop and implement strategies to include success plans and referral to appropriate resources.

Participate in New Student Review (NSR) and Continuing Student Review (CSR) meetings/ activities and other student persistence initiatives.

Manage and communicate effectively academic probation, academic suspension, and satisfactory academic progress policies.

Assist students in understanding appeal processes and facilitate the student submission according to stated University policy.

Develop and maintain constructive contact with faculty and staff, as needed, to support effective academic advising practice.

Understand and be able to explain the policies and resources within the Student Handbook, program Handbooks, and Academic Catalog.

Effectively access and perform assigned duties in required databases (i.e. CampusVue, ImageNow, BrightSpace, Staff Common).

Meet with new student applicants (prior to the first class whenever possible) to review academic and career goals, the enrollment process, orientation to the University and Brightspace learning platform, and graduation progression options. Review advanced standing options including but not limited to transfer of credit, non-transcripted credit, and testing options.

Maintain compliance with management of student information through adherence to FERPA requirements and Record Management Policies.

Conduct and participate in student outreach programs including student orientation, classroom visitation and student life activities.

Participate and successfully complete all academic counselor training and development activities.

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Education, Counseling or related field required, Master’s Degree preferred.

1-2 years of academic advising or academic counseling experience preferred.

1-2 years of customer service experience p.

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Strong interpersonal skills with student and staff populations.

Superior organization, prioritization, and self-motivation skills.

Strong computer skills including MS Office Suite, and database usage.

ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment 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.

Other detailsRequired EducationBachelor’s Degree

• South University Pittsburgh, PA, 1250 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America

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