Academic Advocate (Finance)

The Student Success division at the University of South Florida is comprised of 60 departments, providing students with academic support, engagement opportunities, health & wellness services, and enhancement of the educational experience. The Office of Academic Advocacy (OAA) serves all undergraduate degree-seeking students in support of the institution's strategic goals and metrics. They apply data-informed approaches in their outreach practice, respond to referrals regarding students with academic barriers, and support those students via a case management approach. This unit informs leadership on student trends and barriers to support improvements to policy, process, and procedure.

The primary purpose of the Academic Advocate is to improve undergraduate student persistence/retention, progression, and completion in support of key strategic university goals and measures. This position will consult on implementation and enhancement of policy and process, analyze data and generate information to identify barriers to retention and academic progression, create outreach to students identified as at risk, and support university personnel with students encountering academic or institutional challenges. The position will work collaboratively with offices across the university (e.g. Registrar, Financial Aid and Academic Advisors) to assist students in resolving
issues that may affect student persistence, progression, and graduation. The Academic Advocate works directly with students and has the ability to assist any degree-seeking undergraduate student with concerns regarding their academic plans and progress, academic schedule, choice of major, and other academic activities and career goals. The position will outreach to any student identified as needing to connect to additional resources and will case manage students with additional levels of need to navigate institutional barriers.

Special Skills or Training:

Proficiency in student information systems, data analytics platforms, and other supporting data platforms; understanding of academic policy, process, and procedure; communication skills; and experience working in direct contact with students.Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires a Master's degree in Education or a field of study related to the academic program, or a Bachelor's degree in those same fields with a minimum of two years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in Education, Counseling, or an academic field of study related to the position's responsibilities and four progressive years of Academic Advising, or Coaching experience in a Higher Education setting. Additional doctoral level coursework and certifications in Academic Advising, Coaching, or Career Counseling would be advantageous.

• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
  • (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
  • (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
  • (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
  • (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
  • (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report's national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state's 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.
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Working at USF
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With more than 16,000 employees at USF, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay region. At USF you will find opportunities to excel in a rich academic environment that fosters the development and advancement of our employees. We believe in creating a talented, engaged and driven workforce through on-going development and career opportunities. We also offer a first class benefit package that includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, tuition program and generous leave programs and more.
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To learn more about working at USF please visit: Work Here. Learn Here. Grow Here .

• Serves as the case manager for specific cohorts of undergraduate students. Follows outreach plans to enhance persistence and completion of students. Responds to student referrals and researches student cases referred to OAA. Collaborates with and coordinates among academic and non-academic departments to provide information on and targeted intervention strategies for students identified as \"at-risk\" of not persisting or completing.
• Resolves individual student issues that involve coordination between multiple offices at the university. Assists students with understanding institutional policy and processes, reviewing available options, and resolving issues. May assist students in major exploration and re-selection when necessary. Maintains student files, facilitates updates to student academic records and monitors progress of students to ensure ongoing satisfaction and successful persistence.
• Uses analytical and evidence-based decision-making skills to develop and interpret reports, analyze and understand trends, and create actionable information drawn
  from multiple sources to inform outreach plans, enhance persistence and completion programs, and focus efforts on student populations where greatest needs exist.
• Monitors for student trends and makes recommendations for changes in academic policy, procedures, and processes related to enhancing undergraduate student persistence, retention, and completion across USF departments and systems.
• Supports team by presenting at meetings, workshops, and other venues of internal and external audiences to disseminate and enhance USF's student success goals and strategies. Addresses areas where misinformation or new information causes issues with persistence or progression to graduation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.