Description

The Academic Advocate's primary role is to enhance undergraduate student retention and success, supporting key university goals. This position provides case management for students facing academic progress challenges, identifies barriers to success through data analysis, and collaborates with university offices (e.g., Registrar, Financial Aid, and Academic Advising) to address institutional challenges. The Academic Advocate works directly with students, assisting them in navigating academic plans, major selection, and career goals, while proactively outreaching to at-risk students and connecting them to resources. This role also contributes to policy and process improvements to foster student persistence and graduation.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.
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Preferred Qualifications: The preferred candidate will possess a master's degree in education, counseling, or academic field related to the position's responsibilities. The preferred candidate will have three years of progressive academic advising, career development, or coaching experience in higher education. Preferred candidates will have demonstrated experience or knowledge with first-year retention or in student completion/graduation efforts. Preferred candidate will have participated with a regionally or nationally recognized professional organization such as NACADA and will have research and/or publications focused on first-year retention, student success, or related areas.
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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
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• 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:
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• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
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• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
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• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
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• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
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• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
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• 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.
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• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
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• Oral and written communication skills.
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• Ability to build collaborative relationships.
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• Decision-making skills.
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• Ability to multi-task and prioritize.
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• Interpersonal skills and judgment.
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This position may be subject to a level 1 or Level 2 background check.
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ADA Accommodations: Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodations in the application process. A request is to be made 5 working days before the accommodation is needed. Contact the USF ADA Lead (Hr-ada-request@usf.edu) for more information.Working at USF
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With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
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About USF
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The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
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Compliance and Federal Notices
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This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
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Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
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The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
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Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
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Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
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Equal Employment Opportunity
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The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.

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• 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.
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• 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 reselection when necessary. Maintains student files, facilitates updates to student academic records and monitors progress of students to ensure ongoing satisfaction and successful persistence.
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• 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. Use s 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.
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• 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.
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• Supports the 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.
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• Performs other duties as assigned.
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