The Student Success Advisor provides comprehensive academic advising and holistic student support to online undergraduate students and individuals exploring transfer pathways into Herbert College of Agriculture majors. Serving as a trusted guide and advocate, the advisor helps students navigate academic planning, institutional policies, and key transition points, from first inquiry to graduation.

This position emphasizes relationship-based advising, with a strong focus on supporting student engagement, persistence, and success for distinct populations, including online learners and prospective transfer students. The Student Success Advisor collaborates closely with faculty, campus partners, and community colleges to strengthen enrollment pipelines, support retention efforts, and promote positive student outcomes in alignment with the college’s mission.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:

  • Master’s Degree (Degree must be completed prior to hire date.)

• Experience:

  • Experience in working with students at the college, university, or secondary school level.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Proven written and verbal communication skills.

  • Ability to utilize IT related to advising (e.g., Banner, SalesForce, DARS, other IT sources, and internet programs related to advising).

  • Demonstrated knowledge of academic advising and student development theories and approaches.

  • Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to handle simultaneous projects.

  • Ability to relate to a diverse university community (students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents).

  • Knowledge of best practices for advising and supporting online learners and transfer students.

  • Skill in delivering advising services through virtual platforms (video conferencing, online scheduling systems, and other tools).

  • Ability to build partnerships and conduct outreach with community colleges and transfer stakeholders to support pre-transfer advising.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education, Education, Higher Education, College Student Personnel, or closely related field.

• Two or more years of full-time professional experience in academic advising or a closely related role within higher education.

• Experience advising or supporting online learners and/or transfer students.

• Familiarity with best practices for virtual advising, outreach, and student engagement.

• Experience building partnerships with community colleges or transfer-focused stakeholders.

• Comfort delivering advising services via video conferencing platforms, online scheduling systems, and student success technologies.

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR08

• Anticipated hiring range: $52,000-$55,000

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division:

The Herbert College of Agriculture has a rich history of educating future leaders in agriculture, natural resources, and construction sciences who continue to make an impact on Tennessee and beyond. The College has approximately 1,800 undergraduate students enrolled in 12 majors, plus nearly 325 graduate students enrolled across seven departments and one school. The College benefits from being part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), which also includes UT AgResearch, UT Extension, and the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. Together, the four units that make up UTIA provide Real. Life. Solutions. to many of society’s most pressing issues.

The Student Success Advisor supports online undergraduate students and prospective transfer students through proactive, relationship‑based advising and collaborative outreach efforts.

• Communicate with prospective online and transfer students regarding Herbert College of Agriculture academic programs, including outreach to community colleges and collaboration with community college advisors through on‑site visits and virtual engagement.

• Support and participate in new student and transfer orientation programs to facilitate a successful transition to the university.

• Provide individualized academic advising to online undergraduate students through appointments and drop‑in hours.

• Guide students in understanding degree requirements, transfer credit, and university, college, and departmental policies, and assist with academic processes such as course registration, degree audits, and SAP appeals.

• Develop academic plans and targeted success strategies that promote student progress, persistence, and timely graduation.

• Support students who are academically at risk by delivering proactive interventions and referrals tailored to virtual learners.

• Maintain accurate, confidential advising records and communicate regularly with assigned advisees.

• Collaborate with faculty, campus partners, and community colleges on outreach, special projects, and professional development efforts that strengthen recruitment, retention, and student success for online and transfer populations.