LEDA College Guidance Counselor

Organizational Overview:

LEDA is a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing opportunities for exceptional students from under-resourced backgrounds. Through our various programs, including the LEDA Scholars Program, Career Fellows and others, we strive to develop the next generation of leaders by providing support, education, and resources needed to excel in higher education and beyond.

Position Overview:

LEDA’s College Guidance Department provides expert college advising for a cohort of 100+ high-achieving high school students who are recruited as juniors from across the nation to become LEDA Scholars. Specializing in selective college admissions for first-generation and/or low-income (FLI) students, the College Guidance team emphasizes fit, individualized support, and student agency throughout the college process. All team members model LEDA’s core values of excellence, integrity, compassion, and community.

LEDA Scholars participate in a five-week Summer Institute hosted at Princeton and Yale and receive intensive, remote support throughout their senior year of high school on all aspects of the college application process.

The College Guidance Counselor is a full-time, remote staff member who lives on campus during the Summer Institute (with room, board, and travel provided by LEDA). During the summer, Counselors implement our college guidance curriculum and conduct 1:1 meetings with a caseload of approximately 50 Scholars in the evenings. Throughout the academic year, Counselors maintain regular communication with Scholars, offering proactive guidance via Zoom, phone, and text. They provide multiple rounds of comprehensive feedback on application forms and financial aid materials, writing detailed recommendations for each Scholar, and tracking Scholar outcomes.

Anticipated Start Date: April 2026 (exact date to be determined)

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise Scholars and families through all stages of the college process — from building balanced lists to enrolling in college.
• Plan and facilitate bi-weekly LEDA College Guidance classes during the LEDA Summer Institute
• Supervise and mentor a College Guidance Coordinator (seasonal intern) during the Summer Institute
• Assist with the planning and supervision of college trips during the Summer Institute
• Write compelling, individualized recommendation letters
• Communicate and coordinate with parents/guardians, high school counselors, and college admissions officers
• Track application, financial aid, and scholarship data in Salesforce.
• Work with the College Guidance team and other LEDA staff to provide holistic student support

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Professional experience providing college advising to FLI students
• Demonstrated professional knowledge of the college application process, financial aid, and college scholarship opportunities
• Familiarity with admission requirements of selective colleges
• Experience developing and facilitating student workshops and/or classroom teaching
• Willingness to reside at the Summer Institute full-time and to maintain a flexible work schedule throughout the year, working occasional evenings and/or weekends as needed in order to accommodate the scheduling needs of students
• Superior ability to connect and communicate with youth, parents, and college admissions officers
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, careful attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, and proven success within a work setting that requires collaboration, cooperation, and collegiality
• Demonstrated commitment to LEDA’s Mission and Core Values

Compensation:

This is a full-time remote position with full-time residential requirements during summer programming.

Salary range: $60,000–$65,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Benefits include:

• Medical and dental insurance, premiums fully covered
• Vision insurance
• Generous Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• 401(k) with employer contributions after 1 year

All full-time staff start with three weeks of paid vacation. Counselors receive an additional week of comp time after the Summer Institute. Room, board, and travel are provided during the Summer Institute.

Apply:

To be considered for this opportunity, please send an email with a cover letter and résumé to employment@ledascholars.org with “College Guidance Counselor” in the subject line. LEDA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.