Scholar Program Associate

About Hope Chicago

Hope Chicago is a two-generation initiative that’s been called one of the boldest and most innovative efforts to remove barriers to opportunity in decades. Since its founding in 2021, Hope Chicago has designed a unique systems-change solution with the ultimate goal of demonstrating what’s possible when everyone has access to opportunities to reach their fullest potential. The nonprofit partners with 5 non-selective public high schools and empowers students and one parent from every family to complete a post-secondary pathway debt-free, with the wraparound support to succeed.

More information about Hope Chicago and its early results is available at www.hopechicago.org.

About the Role

Hope Chicago seeks a mission-aligned professional to join the Program Team as its first Scholar Program Associate. Under the guidance of the Director of Postsecondary Access and Success, the Associate will strengthen and streamline incoming and outgoing Scholar communications, leveraging existing systems and platforms and leading enhancements or additions to them. The Associate will be a critical connection point between Scholars and the Hope Chicago team, routing and assigning follow-up, ensuring quality and timely responses, and analyzing trends and recommending changes. The Scholar Program Associate will support day-to-day program operations, administrative coordination, and student-facing communication processes to drive sustained Scholar engagement.

A successful candidate must have a personal passion for and professional commitment to equitable access to learning opportunities for young people and adults alike, with a particular focus on communities that have been underestimated and lacked investment. The Associate must believe that pathways to postsecondary educational attainment can empower people of all ages to create socio-economic mobility for themselves, their families and entire communities.

Key Responsibilities

The responsibilities outlined below reflect the current scope of work and estimated time allocations, with opportunities to learn, grow, and help shape the role over the first year as systems and processes are developed. As a result, these allocations may change over time.

75% - Program Team Communications & Scholar Outreach

• Support and manage scholar communications across Mainstay, Hiver, the Hope Chicago App, and other platforms.
• Maintain accurate records, route inquiries through an escalation process, and track trends for follow-up.
• Conduct proactive outreach, manage Hiver allocations, and flag urgent or recurring issues for the program team.

15% – Administrative Support

• Take ownership of calendaring, scheduling meetings, and coordinating team availability to ensure smooth operations.
• Draft, send, and track follow-up communications, maintaining visibility and accountability for all stakeholder interactions.
• Organize and maintain shared resources and documentation, ensuring the team has clear, accessible information at all times.

10% - Student-Facing Program Management

• Support Emergency Fund administration, including organizing documentation, preparing summaries, and assisting with internal review processes.
• Assist scholars with education subsidy questions and escalate issues as needed.
• Help design and implement programming and touchpoints for Out-Of-Network scholars, and support stipend award tracking, communication, and documentation.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to speak and write clearly with diverse audiences of Scholars and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment, with a consistently strong attention to detail and follow through.
• Systems oriented, comfort using and building processes and tools for tracking, monitoring, and reporting progress.
• Strong technical fluency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Slides, and Drive)
• Demonstrated experience working in close collaboration with peers and/or colleagues in a team environment; prior work with students, families, or community-based organizations is a plus.
• Interest in learning and growing within the education, student success, and/or nonprofit sector.

Exceptional candidates will:

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree or more advanced degree;
• Demonstrate meticulous project management skills with a commitment to excellence;
• Be relentless and creative when confronting complex challenges;
• Take initiative, and seek feedback and learning opportunities whenever possible; and
• Enjoy dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative work.

Attendance at evening or weekend events will periodically be required, as will occasional travel to Illinois college campuses. Fluency in Spanish and reliable transportation are encouraged but not required.

Hope Chicago offers full medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) with employer match, and generous paid time off.

Spanish proficiency or fluency is a plus but not required.