Transfer Success Specialist

The primary purpose of the Transfer Success Advocate is to improve undergraduate transfer student persistence, retention, progression, and completion in support of key university strategic goals and measures, including the three-year graduation performance-based funding metric for Florida College System Associate of Arts transfer students. This position will consult on implementation and enhancement of policy and processes, collect and analyze data to identify barriers to retention and academic progress, create outreach to students with academic performance indicators, and support university personnel serving students to help facilitate their success. The incumbent will work directly with students and will assist any  undergraduate transfer student facing challenges with their academic plans, progress, course scheduling, major concerns, other academic related activities, and career goals.

• Serve as an academic case manager for undergraduate transfer students. Develop and implement strategic initiatives to improve transfer student academic progress and graduation through early outreach, tracking and follow up protocols.  Manage academic plans to facilitate student persistence and completion. Research and respond to student concerns, referrals, and cases. Collaborate with academic and non-academic departments to acquire and provide information in support of each student’s success.  Leverage targeted intervention strategies for students that exhibit behaviors and performance outcomes that are correlated with possible stop out or prolonged time to completion.  
• Resolve individual student issues that require coordination between multiple offices at the university.  Assist students with understanding institutional policies and processes by reviewing available options and implementing strategies to resolve concerns. May assist students in major exploration and reselection when necessary. Maintain updated student records on the appropriate platforms and monitor progress of students to ensure that concerns are addressed in a timely manner. 
• Use analytical and evidence-based decision-making skills to develop and interpret reports, analyze and understand trends, and create actionable insights drawn from multiple sources to inform outreach plans.  Implement strategies to enhance persistence and completion initiatives and focus efforts on student populations where greatest needs for support exist. 
• Collaborate within the Office of Transfer Student Success to generate creative ideas for developing and implementing a holistic approach to support the academic experiences and success of all transfer students.  Help organize and implement initiatives to enhance student knowledge and information regarding policies, systems and resources through workshops, information sessions, and other strategies.
• Monitor and provide recommendations for changes in academic policy, procedures, and processes related to enhancing undergraduate transfer student persistence, retention, and completion across USF departments and systems. Lead ad-hoc teams or groups in undertaking coordinated transfer success efforts across colleges and units. Assess and recommend improvements to enhance the effectiveness of persistence and completion initiatives. 
• Serve as a resource regarding academic information related to transfer student retention and progression. Communicate academic requirements to students, faculty, and staff, as appropriate. Present at meetings, workshops, and conferences to represent USF's retention and completion strategies. Conduct information sessions for staff, advisors, and students to address challenges that may cause issues with persistence.   
• Participate in professional development and other opportunities of personal development and interest.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• This position requires a post baccalaureate degree in Education, Counseling or an academic field directly related to the responsibilities of the position, or a Bachelor's degree in those same fields with a minimum of two years of relevant experience.

 

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• 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.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• The preferred candidate will possess a master's degree in Education, Counseling, or an academic field of study related to the position's responsibilities and three progressive years of academic advising, career development, or academic coaching experience in a higher education setting. Additionally, candidates will also have demonstrated experience or knowledge with state and community college systems, transfer students, and student retention and completion/graduation efforts. 

Working at USF

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.

About USF 

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.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

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.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.