ACADEMIC ADVISOR – TRIO Programs

Demonstrates strong knowledge of college and career readiness, postsecondary access, and student development.

Proactive in identifying student needs, addressing barriers, and connecting students with appropriate resources and services.

Demonstrates initiative, accountability, sound judgment, and professionalism in managing an assigned caseload.

Ability to build positive relationships with students, parents, school personnel, university departments, and community partners.

Ability to effectively plan and facilitate individual and group advising, workshops, college readiness activities, and career development programming.

Demonstrates commitment to serving first-generation and low-income students and advancing the goals and objectives of the TRIO Talent Search program.

Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative, high-performing team environment.

This is a Grant Funded position.

Essential Duties Summary

• Strong leadership, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of college and career readiness, postsecondary access, college admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and career pathways.
• A high level of initiative, accountability, sound judgment, and professionalism.
• Ability to independently manage an assigned caseload and take ownership of student engagement, follow-up, documentation, and outcomes.
• Ability to identify student needs and barriers and develop appropriate strategies, interventions, and referrals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, school personnel, university departments, and community partners.
• Ability to plan and facilitate high-quality individual and group advising sessions, workshops, college readiness activities, and career development programming.
• Commitment to serving first-generation and low-income students and advancing the goals and objectives of the TRIO Talent Search program.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Provide comprehensive and proactive academic, personal, career, and financial aid advising through individualized and group sessions, workshops, and ongoing support services designed to promote student success and postsecondary outcomes.
• Recruit, enroll, and maintain an assigned caseload of eligible TRIO Talent Search participants in accordance with program eligibility requirements, federal regulations, and program objectives.
• Develop individualized student goals and action plans and provide consistent follow-up to support academic planning, college exploration, career development, financial aid awareness, and postsecondary preparation.
• Monitor and assess student academic progress, participation, and engagement and proactively identify barriers that may affect student success. Develop intervention strategies, provide appropriate referrals, and document follow-up.
• Take ownership of assigned student caseloads and program responsibilities, ensuring that services, follow-up, documentation, deadlines, and assigned activities are completed accurately and timely.
• Strengthen and promote a college-going culture within assigned target schools by engaging students, parents, and school personnel in activities focused on college admissions, degree and certificate programs, career pathways, financial aid, scholarships, and postsecondary opportunities.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with target school personnel, university departments, community organizations, and other partners to expand educational opportunities and resources available to TRIO participants.
• Plan, coordinate, and actively participate in college and career readiness activities, including campus visits, college fairs, career exploration events, scholarship activities, financial aid workshops, and TRIO -sponsored programming.
• Maintain accurate, timely, complete, and confidential participant records and advising documentation in accordance with federal TRIO regulations, institutional policies, program procedures, and established documentation requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations, institutional policies, program requirements, and internal procedures related to participant eligibility, services, documentation, confidentiality, reporting, and program operations.
• Utilize program data and student information to monitor participation, identify trends, assess student needs, and support informed decision-making related to recruitment, retention, service delivery, and student outcomes.
• Remain current on federal TRIO requirements, college admission requirements, financial aid policies, career pathways, postsecondary trends, and best practices through professional development, training, and independent learning.
• Develop, facilitate, and evaluate high-quality workshops, seminars, presentations, and in-service activities that promote college access, career awareness, academic success, and post-secondary readiness.
• Take initiative in identifying opportunities to increase student engagement, recruitment, retention, and program visibility and recommend strategies to improve service delivery and program effectiveness.
• Represent the TRIO Talent Search program professionally at school, university, community, recruitment, and outreach events and serve as a knowledgeable resource regarding program services and postsecondary opportunities.
• Collaborate with TRIO colleagues and share effective practices, resources, and strategies to strengthen teamwork, improve service delivery, and enhance student engagement and outcomes.
• Demonstrate accountability for assigned responsibilities, caseload management, deadlines, student services, documentation, and program activities, while maintaining a high standard of professionalism and responsiveness.
• Participate in required staff meetings, training, professional development activities, and program events, including activities that may occur outside the traditional workday or on weekends, as required by program needs and position responsibilities.
• Perform other duties assigned in support of TRIO Talent Search goals, objectives, compliance requirements, and student success.
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment or water treatment system.

% FTE

1.0

Hiring Range
$45,486.69 - $57,995.53

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Required Licensing/Certification

Valid Texas Driver’s License preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Policies, procedures, practices, and equipment.
• Microsoft Office Professional or similar applications.
• Experience working with disadvantaged youths.

Skill in:

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Multitasking and time management.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Establish trust and meaningful relationships with students and families while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Manage a diverse caseload and provide individualized services based on student needs.
• Identify barriers to student success and proactively implement appropriate interventions and referrals.
• Interpret and apply program policies, federal requirements, and institutional procedures accurately and consistently.
• Work effectively with minimal supervision while maintaining communication, accountability, and follow-through.
• Work collaboratively with school districts, university departments, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive students and program information.
• Adapt to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and effectively manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced program environment.
• Demonstrate initiative and continuously identify opportunities to improve student services, program effectiveness, recruitment, engagement, and outcomes.
• Work flexible hours, including Saturdays, as required to support TRIO Talent Search activities, workshops, recruitment events, and student programming.
• Travel locally and out of town, including overnight travel, when necessary, to accompany and supervise TRIO Talent Search participants during college visits, educational activities, conferences, career experiences, and other program-sponsored events.
• Provide appropriate supervision, guidance, and support to students during program-related activities and travel.
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to adjust work schedules to meet program and student needs.
• Support the mission, goals, objectives, and compliance requirements of the TRIO Talent Search program.
• Maintain communication with school counselors, teachers, and administrators.

Work Experience

Two (2) years to three (3) years of related experience.

Working/Environmental Conditions

• Prolonged standing and/or walking.
• Handling light weight objects.
• Using or carrying equipment.
• Awareness of school safety protocols.

Desired start date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Posting Detail Information

UA EEO Statement

It is the policy of Texas Southern University to provide a work environment that is free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, individuals with disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs, activities, admissions or employment policies. This policy of equal opportunity is strictly observed in all University employment-related activities such as advertising, recruiting, interviewing, testing, employment training, compensation, promotion, termination, and employment benefits. This policy expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic history, national origin, individuals with disability, age, citizenship status, or protected veteran status. This policy shall be adhered to in accordance with the provisions of all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures

Close Date
09/24/2026

Open Until Filled (overrides close field)
No

Special Instructions to Applicants
Open to all applicants.
Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a Bachelor’s degree or higher?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Do you have two (2) to three (3) years of related experience?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * Do you have experience working with disadvantaged youths?
   • Yes
   • No

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
3. Official Transcripts

Optional Documents

1. Other Document
2. Reference Letter 1
3. Reference Letter 2
4. Reference Letter 3