Academic Advisor

JOB SUMMARY  

The Academic Advisor serves as a key resource for students, providing guidance on academic progress, course selection, and institutional policies. Reporting to the Director of Academic Advising, this role involves conducting individual and group advising sessions, performing preliminary and graduation audits, and facilitating communication between students, faculty, and administrative staff. The advisor ensures students remain on track for academic success while maintaining institutional requirements within the Jenzabar system. This position requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to the values of a Christian university.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 

Reports to: Director of Academic Advising}

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Provide individual and group academic advising, assisting students with course selection, degree planning, and understanding academic policies, including major/minor requirements, course sequencing, and credit transfer.
   
• Support students in developing academic plans, setting goals, and identifying strategies for academic and career success.
   
• Monitor students’ academic progress and provide success coaching, offering guidance for those facing personal or academic challenges.
   
• Conduct preliminary audits for newly accepted students and graduation audits for students nearing completion, ensuring accuracy and coordinating communication with faculty, deans, chairs, and the Registrar’s office.
   
• Communicate and clarify academic policies, such as waivers, substitutions, transient policies, and religion course requirements, to students and faculty.
   
• Maintain accurate advising records, track student progress, and generate reports as needed.
   
• Refer students to appropriate campus resources, including tutoring, career services, mental health services, and financial aid, to support academic and personal success.
   
• Participate in orientation programs, advisory meetings, and student success initiatives to enhance engagement and retention.
   
• Collaborate with faculty, Career Services, and other departments to support student development, including internships and experiential learning opportunities.
   
• Stay current with academic policies, procedures, and best practices in advising through professional development activities, including training, workshops, and conferences.
   
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the team lead or supervisor.
   

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position.  Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

 LOCATION 

Lakeland Downtown Offices  

EDUCATION   

Required Education:

Bachelor's degree in any academic discipline of the university

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in education, business or other related field

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

N/A

EXPERIENCE 

Required:

Experience working in customer service, student affairs, or in roles that require interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Preferred:

Experience in academic advising, student services and/or higher education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Personal faith commitment appropriate to that of a Christian university

• Demonstrated leadership abilities, with experience in guiding and mentoring others, fostering a collaborative work environment, and driving positive change within teams and organizations.
   
• Technical proficiency in Jenzabar OR other reporting tools (or a willingness to learn).
   
• Excellent communication skills with experience in training and professional development.
   
• Demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethical standards, and confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
   
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with individuals within and outside the university.
   
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask, prioritize workload, and work independently.
   
• Sensitivity to the needs of diverse student populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and non-traditional students.
   
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and department-specific software such as Jenzabar or other student information systems, with the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies as needed.
   

 Preferred:

Knowledge of best practices in academic advising and student retention.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. 

• This position is considered non-essential for the purposes of Emergency Response.

Physical Requirements: 

• Office Environment: Ability to work primarily in an office setting, which involves sitting for extended periods.
• Computer Use: Proficiency in using computers for various tasks, which requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for typing and handling office equipment.
• Communication: Strong verbal communication skills for meetings, presentations, and interactions with staff, students, and parents.
• Mobility: Capability to move around the office and campus as needed for meetings and events.
• Lifting: Occasionally lift and carry items such as files, documents, or small office equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Visual Requirements: Ability to read and interpret data on computer screens and printed documents.
• Hearing and Speaking: Adequate hearing to participate in conversations and phone calls, and clear speaking ability for effective communication.

Travel:

None

Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, with occasional evenings and weekends

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows:

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period to learn the functions of the job and be evaluated.

Following the probationary period, employees may transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended for additional training, or face employment termination if expectations are not met.

Required compliance training must be completed within one month of hire.
 

SAFETY 

• SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. 
• Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. 
• Work-related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident. 
• Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations.  Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position, unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.  

SCREENING

All full-time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks. Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University’s insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

DISCLAIMER

SEU is an at-will employer.  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employees of Southeastern University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in the Employee Handbook and in the SEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.