Academic CounselorSouth University Pittsburgh, PA, 1250 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of AmericaReq #1044 Wednesday, July 21, 2021 What's next for you is the first priority for us!With over 45 programs from associate to doctoral degrees, South University located in Savannah, GA is a private institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities that spark the intellectual, social and professional development of a diverse student population. This position supports South University’s Online Student Support Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Our 120-year story—past, present and future—is a history formed by the many individuals who have developed the education and spirit of community that have become our pledge to the students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of South University. Online and at our 8 locations and 2 learning sites, we take pride in our welcoming environment; one-on-one support and personalized attention that helps students define goals and identify the means to pursue them. Our small classes feature hands-on experiences that not only shape students’ skills and excellence in their chosen fields but also shape their characters through encouraging community involvement, volunteerism and the pursuit of life-long learning.

Visit www.southuniversity.edu today to learn more about what makes us stand apart as a place to Belong, Believe and Become, a place where you can make a difference in the lives of students eager to learn and grow.

South University, the right direction for a brighter future.

Benefits:

*Medical

*Dental

*Vision

FSA/HSA

Tuition Assistant Program

Long/Short Term Disability

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

401K

Generous Paid Time Off

12 Paid Holidays

Paid Parking

* includes domestic partner coverage

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 a related field required, Master’s degree preferred.
• 1-2 years customer service experience preferred.
• 1-2 years academic advising or academic counseling experience preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with student and staff population.
• 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, video conference, 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 detailsJob FamilyAll PositionsRequired EducationBachelor’s Degree Apply Now

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

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