Postsecondary Support Coordinator

Breakthrough Overview

Breakthrough San Francisco is a college access and teacher training program. In 2025-26, we’re serving approximately 250 students from across San Francisco. They make an eight-year commitment - from the summer after fourth grade until their high school graduation - with the goal of attending a four-year college. In addition, through our summer teacher residency, we train outstanding college students for education careers. Founded in 1993, we’re a community involvement initiative of San Francisco Day School and one of 25 affiliates of the national non-profit organization Breakthrough Collaborative. For more information, please visit www.breakthroughsf.org.

Position Summary

The Postsecondary Support Coordinator supports Breakthrough students as graduate high school and make the transition to their postsecondary plans. They provide support with the college admissions process, especially personal statement writing and financial aid applications. They also support Breakthrough students as they navigate college, assisting with course and major decisions, financial aid applications and appeals, accessing off-campus resources, and other needs. They build and maintain strong relationships with students, affirming their high potential. The Postsecondary Support Coordinator collaborates closely with the other members of our staff and reports to Breakthrough San Francisco’s Director of High School and Postsecondary Programs.

Responsibilities

Postsecondary Access

• Alongside the Director of High School and Postsecondary Programs, provide individualized college admissions support to eleventh - twelfth grade Breakthrough students. In particular, review students’ personal statements and PIQs, and guide them in completing the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and scholarship applications.
• Lead workshops for high school seniors on the college admissions process.
• Arrange campus visits for Breakthrough students and presentations by college admissions officers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with students and families, characterized by positive rapport and clear communication and affirming their high potential. Serve as an additional advocate and sounding board for students as they make their postsecondary plans.

Postsecondary Success

• Alongside the Director of High School and Postsecondary Programs, plan and lead a summer workshop to support recent Breakthrough graduates with the upcoming college transition.
• Hold 1:1 conversations with college students to talk through challenges including course and major decisions, extracurricular activities, managing finances, self-advocacy, sense of belonging, and transfer options. Provide support with financial aid applications and appeals.
• Support college students in accessing on- and off-campus resources related to mental health, academic support, summer internships, and career exploration.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with students, characterized by positive rapport and clear communication and affirming their high potential.

Student Record Keeping and Communication

• Support with email newsletters and Remind texts for high school and college students.
• Support with High School Program website, a source of information including grade-level calendars, college admissions presentations, and scholarships.
• Update student records as needed.

Additional Expectations

• Collaborate effectively with other Breakthrough staff members, as well as staff at other Breakthrough sites nationally.
• Complete other projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 2-3 years of experience with college access and/or success work with first-generation college students
• Strong communication and relationship building skills
• Extremely organized and dependable
• Demonstrated history of reflecting on own performance and striving for professional growth
• Commitment to increasing educational opportunity
• Commitment to honoring and celebrating all members of our diverse and inclusive community
• Fluency in Amharic, Cantonese, Spanish, Tigrinya, and/or Vietnamese a plus
• Familiarity with Breakthrough and/or San Francisco schools a plus