Academic Counselor - Thornton Center - UTK

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Legal · Full-time

Knoxville, TN, USA

Posted on Sep 9, 2026

This position exists to provide academic coordination, support and counseling to former, current, and prospective student-athletes for assigned teams; to monitor NCAA, SEC, and university eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics; to establish and monitor progress toward degree completion and graduation; and to establish academic support and structure to a caseload of student.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
The Tennessee Tailored team within the Thornton Athletic Student Life Center is currently seeking qualified candidates for our open academic counselor position serving Olympic sport student-athletes. This position exists to provide academic coordination, support and counseling to former, current, and prospective student-athletes for assigned teams; to monitor NCAA, SEC, and university eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics; to establish and monitor progress toward degree completion and graduation; and to establish academic support and structure to a caseload of student-athletes.

Required Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s Degree

  • Experience: Minimum of 1 year working in academic support for student-athletes at the Division I level

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Excellent written and oral communication skills

    • Computer proficiency with many software programs

    • Excellent organization skills

    • Ability to handle several responsibilities/projects simultaneously

    • Ability to work independently with limited supervision

    • Ability to work with a diverse team and with a diverse population of student-athletes.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Education: Master’s Degree

  • Experience: Minimum of 1-2 years working in academic support for student-athletes at the Division I level

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Excellent written and oral communication skills

    • Elite relationship building and interpersonal skillset with an ability to work with a diverse population

Work Location

  • Location: Knoxville, TN

  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: MR08

  • Anticipated hiring range: MR08

  • 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. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before Tuesday, September 15th.

  • Resume

  • Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division

It is the mission of the Thornton Center to foster the pursuit of comprehensive excellence through the holistic development of each student-athlete. The Thornton Center is a comprehensive academic support unit for student-athletes, offering specialized programming in the areas of Academic Counseling, Learning Services, and Student-Athlete Development.

  • Monitor the academic progress of assigned student-athletes throughout their academic careers

  • Monitor the academic eligibility of assigned student-athletes; assist in the development of academic goals for each assigned student-athlete

  • Communicate with coaches on the academic progress of each student-athlete

  • Establish relationships with campus academic departments

  • Assist with the recruitment of prospective student-athletes on unofficial and official recruiting visits - including night and weekend responsibilities

  • Monitor academic various metrics (APR, GSR, GPA) for assigned teams and develop strategies for success.

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