Academic Advisor

Hiring Range:
Commensurate with Education and Experience

Exempt Professional Staff (EPS)

Fayetteville State University’s Office of College Access Programs is designed to provide low‑income/potential first‑generation college students with support services that will enhance their academic skills, thereby ensuring that these students will complete high school and enroll in and complete programs of post‑secondary education.

The Educational Opportunity Centers program provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified high school seniors and adults who want to enter or continue a program of post‑secondary education. The program also provides services to improve the financial and economic literacy of participants. An important objective of the program is to counsel participants on financial aid options, including basic financial planning skills, and to assist in the application process.

The goal of the EOC program is to increase the number of high school seniors and adult participants who enroll in post‑secondary education institutions.

Assist under‑represented populations in post‑secondary education with college entry and matriculation through assistance with financial aid and college admission applications.

Identify, recruit and retain participants; complete comprehensive individual needs assessments and develop individual plans of service; provide academic and career counseling; work closely with community service agencies that serve the same population; maintain files on participants; track services using Blumen database; and submit monthly reports.

Work with students one‑on‑one and in a small group setting to provide assistance with college admissions and financial aid applications; assist in writing admission essays, ordering academic transcripts, completing residency determination, reviewing student aid reports, ordering tax transcripts, reviewing financial aid award letters, drafting financial aid letters of appeal, and resolving student loan default status; advocate on participant behalf with college admission and financial aid offices;

and aid adults without high school diplomas with secondary school credential attainment through selection of appropriate secondary program. Conduct follow‑up on participants and verify college enrollment.

Develop and facilitate workshops for participants that demonstrate and encourage post‑secondary access and success in areas of financial aid, admissions, financial literacy, study skills, test‑taking skills, note‑taking skills, critical thinking, standardized test preparation, resume writing, interviewing skills, etc.

Develop and provide knowledge and skills that allow participants to make informed and effective decisions with their financial resources.

Speak to the community and school personnel on the Educational Opportunity Centers mission and serve on committees as appointed and recruit potential participants for the program in the community and target school area.

This position will work on the campus of Sampson Community College and other locations in Sampson County, NC, four days a week and report to Fayetteville State University Campus once a week. Selected candidate should have the ability to commute to and from both locations on a weekly basis.

This position is funded by a state grant and has been designated Time – Limited. Continuation of this position is contingent upon the continuing availability of those non‑state funds.

• A Bachelor’s degree required. Prefer a degree in social sciences, counseling or related fields. A minimum of two years of advising, recruitment, counseling, coaching or tutoring experience.
• Two years of proven experience working with adult learners preferred.
• Experiencing working with low‑income/potential first generation students.

• Ability to travel in (5) five county target area – Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke,…