College Success Manager

Job Title: College Success Manager

Reports to: Director of DC Programming

Job Status: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Salary: $70,000 - $80,000

Application Deadline: October 4, 2024

Starting: November 2024

About Generation Hope:

Generation Hope is a nonprofit organization with a mission to ensure all student parents have the opportunities to succeed and experience economic mobility by engaging education and policy partners to drive systemic change and providing direct support to teen parents in college as well as their children through holistic, two-generation programming. To date, we have provided over $1.3 million in tuition assistance, supported almost 500 teen parents in college, celebrated almost 200 degrees earned through our program, and built relationships with 30+ two and four-year institutions nationwide. For more information, please visit www.generationhope.org.

By joining our team, you will work for an organization named "one of the best nonprofits" by Spur Local. Not only do we live out and operationalize our values, we do the work to create a culture that truly supports every member of our staff. The best part of our organization is the people, from the families we serve to the team we have deliberately cultivated. We strive for excellence while understanding the most valuable asset that we have is our people. We celebrate diversity in all forms, including thought, professional and lived experiences, race, gender - even taste in music. If this sounds like a mission and work environment you would like to contribute to and grow with, please consider joining our team.

Position:

The College Success Manager works with the Director of DC Programming to manage the Generation Hope Scholar Program, which helps teen parents across the DC region become college graduates. The College Success Manager manages Scholar Program Coordinators and works closely with the Director of DC Programming to continuously improve the processes, functions, and outcomes of the Scholar Program. They also represent Generation Hope to nonprofit partners, students, donors and various other constituent groups. The College Success Manager should have a solid track record in working with youth and children, a background in college access and/or college success advising, financial aid, experience in managing a team, possess strategic planning skills, provide outstanding customer service, be an enthusiastic professional, and be able to build relationships with internal and external customers. They must have a demonstrated interest in serving students of color and low-income students.

Primary Responsibilities:

Scholar Program Support

• In collaboration with the Director of DC Programming, design programming that challenges, engages, inspires, and supports our Scholars including enhancing and implementing pre-service support to incoming Scholars (i.e. providing light touch case management to accepted Scholars, evaluating impact, and working with the Scholar Recruitment Coordinator to identify accepted Scholars needing support).
• Support the program team in troubleshooting issues within Scholar/Sponsor relationships and develop strategies to improve and strengthen these relationships
• Design and execute strategies for serving specific populations of students, such as student fathers, Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students, and First Generation college students.
• Ensure Scholars receive stellar training by collaborating with program staff and the Events Manager to plan in-service training and the Summer Bridge program each year, all aimed at enhancing skills and strategies that drive graduation success.
• Work with the Operations department and Program Assistant to oversee the tuition disbursement process. This includes verifying amounts, confirming institutional details, and maintaining clear communication to prevent any discrepancies.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of both federal and school-specific financial aid policies and procedures to provide training and support to staff and Scholars
• Provide ongoing and consistent support to Generation Hope mentors by:
  • Assessing their experiences as mentors annually and providing various opportunities throughout the year for feedback
  • Planning and attending activities to foster mentor relationships and peer support and to ensure mentors feel appreciated, such as potlucks or coffee chats to increase the retention of mentors.
  • Convening and managing the Sponsor Leadership Council
  • Communicating feedback and mentor needs to the program team and providing suggestions for mentoring improvements and enhancements
• In collaboration with the Director of DC Programming, evaluate the quality of the tutoring program, monitor tutor matches, improve training, and work with the Volunteer Coordinator to develop strategies for tutor recruitment

Management and Leadership

• Supervise, support, and hold accountable up to five Scholar Program Coordinators, including holding weekly 1:1 meetings for each coordinator and monthly supervisions that provide advice, guidance, case audits and development
• Support Scholar Program Coordinators with developing and updating individualized academic plans, setting clear goals and strategies to support Scholar success.
• Facilitate weekly meetings for case managers to discuss upcoming events, relevant deadlines and create a space for learning and support
• Work with the Director of DC Programming to hold bi-weekly program team meetings and regular morale activities for the programming team

Case Management

• Manage a small caseload of up to 10 Scholars, providing academic, holistic and culturally competent support to ensure that they earn their degrees
• Track and maintain Scholar data (contact information, G.P.A.’s, mentor meetings, etc.) using evaluation tracking software. Work with the Director of DC Programming and direct reports to maintain, collect, and analyze data for program evaluation purposes.

Other

• Work with the Director of DC Programming to create and strengthen relationships with local colleges and universities to benefit Generation Hope Scholars
• Represent Generation Hope at relevant convenings, such as conferences, roundtables, etc., as appropriate
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies
• Other duties as assigned

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A HARDWORKING, INNOVATIVE, COLLABORATIVE INDIVIDUAL

WHO THRIVES IN A FAST-PACED ENVIRONMENT. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL

HAVE THESE QUALITIES/QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least five years of experience working with youth, particularly youth from marginalized communities
• At least two years of experience with college counseling and/or case management
• At least three years of experience of supervising a team.
• Ability to analyze and interpret program performance data and make data-driven adjustments to maximize impact.
• Compelling and confident public speaker who is comfortable speaking and presenting in both formal and informal settings
• Personal and professional commitment to understanding and dismantling systemic and institutional racism
• Strong relationship-builder who can connect with a diverse range of people and groups and inspire people to action
• Excellent written, oral, and verbal communication skills with keen attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Fantastic customer service ethic and high expectations for quality
• Experience planning and facilitating or co-leading workshops and events
• Ability to make people feel comfortable and create rapport
• Access to a vehicle to get to events/meetings around the D.C. metro area that may not be metro-accessible
• Willingness to adjust hours to accommodate the needs and schedules of Scholars. Must be available for special events and trainings, which may occur on evenings and weekends.
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to Generation Hope’s mission and values

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with working with teen parents
• Master’s degree in Education or a graduate certificate in higher education
• Experience with program evaluation
• Bilingual Spanish/English
• Understanding of the college financial aid process and financial aid options and of public benefits and services available for low-income populations in the D.C. metro area

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Generation Hope provides full benefits, including 403(b), health, dental, and paid time off.

More information on benefits can be found at generationhope.org/careers. As a safeguard to the health of our employees, participants, and community, all new hires must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the employment start date. Our full vaccination policy is available here.

Generation Hope is an equal opportunity employer. Generation Hope will not discriminate on any basis prohibited by law, including marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, matriculation, political affiliation, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, or reproductive health decisions), age, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, and disability.