"ACADEMIC ADVISOR SECOND YEAR EXPERIENCE"

Job Description Summary

Under general supervision, The Second-Year Academic Advisor plays a critical role in supporting students during their sophomore year, a key transitional period in the undergraduate experience. This position focuses on promoting student retention, academic success, and engagement by providing holistic advising services tailored to second-year students. The advisor collaborates with faculty, campus departments, and student services to guide students in exploring majors, clarifying goals, and making informed academic decisions.

Distinguishing Characteristics

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution skills
• Organization and Time Management
• Student Centered

Essential Duties

• Meets with student sophomore cohorts regularly to track performance and aid where necessary.
• Regularly tracks academic progress and success of students within the course.
• Responsible for designing and implementing programs to assist in the successful matriculation from freshman to sophomore status.
• Coordinate and implement programs, workshops, and events specifically targeting second-year student success initiatives and major career fairs.
• Helps sophomore students create strategies to improve academic performance.
• Meets with sophomore status students to help shape their professional journey and refer them to the Career Pathways Center appropriately.
• Thinks outside of the box on how classroom time can be used to drive (1) campus engagement, (2) use of Student Academic Support Services resources, and (3) Academic Progress.
• Monitors student’s (1) campus engagement, (2) use of Student Academic Support Services resources, and (3) Academic Progress.
• Tracks and provides data on cohort group, including success, retention, and completion rates. Responsible for utilizing EAB to track institutional and departmental outcomes.
• Generates required statistical reports to fulfill University and outside requirements. Works with faculty and university staff to identify and provide needed early interventions to their cohort groups.
• Assists students in overcoming educational and study skills deficiencies. Refers students to counselors for personal issues.
• Prepares, maintains, and updates files to ensure coursework and other specific program requirements are met by students.
• Plays a fundamental role in working with college academic advisors to advise and enroll all second-year students.
• Connects students to resources, makes referrals, in the areas of financial aid, housing, student accounting, or other inhibitors to enrollment.
• Connects with successful students during the program to prepare them for the Fall semester. Reviews transcripts to ensure eligibility for admission to a specific program and evaluates transfer credits and applicability to program requirements and makes referrals when necessary. Responsible for converting potential SOS participants to enrolled students based program completion.
• Advises and assists students in the development of academic plans and class schedules.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of: Policies, procedures, practices and equipment. Microsoft Office Professional or similar applications.
• Skill in: Problem-solving and decision-making; using judgment in adapting broad guidelines to achieve desired result. Multitasking and time management. Both verbal and written communication.
• Ability to: Establish and maintain internal and external customer relationships. Work independently and well under pressure to advise and enroll students during scheduled orientation periods. Pay strong attention to accuracy and detail for tracking of student success and student educational plans. Assess and diffuse problem situations and requires influencing others to reach consensus. Act with tact and diplomacy to handle difficult customer situations. Deliver a high level of customer service and dedication to the TSU mission.

Education and Experience

Required: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.

Preferred: Master’s Degree (M.A. or M.S.) from four-year College or university or equivalent. Proof of enrollment in a master’s Program may suffice.

Preferred Work Experience: Experience working in an educational setting.

Working Conditions

Prolonged standing and/or walking. Handling light weight objects. Using or carrying equipment.