College Success Advising Specialist

About College Possible

Chicago IL - Hybrid

As one of the largest and most successful college access and success programs in the country, since 2000 College Possible has helped put more than 59,000 students from disinvested communities on the path to economic mobility via completion of a college degree. Its proven near-peer coaching model, delivered by recent college graduates serving as AmeriCorps members, provides high-touch interventions proven to help students navigate and overcome the most common barriers to college access, retention and degree completion. Nationwide, College Possible students are three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree within six years than their peers from similar backgrounds.

College Possible is a growing nonprofit coaching students from low-income backgrounds to and through college to break the cycle of poverty and empower the next generation of leaders. Our model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has a budget of $33 million, more than 128 full-time employees and more than 321 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-22 school year, we will reach an estimated 21,245 students in all 50 states, with the support of 169 partner high schools and 107 partner colleges.

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education. To learn more read our Diversity and Inclusion Plan.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates: regional sites in Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; and Seattle, WA; College Forward in Austin, TX; and has Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee. Learn more at CollegePossible.org.

Your Role as College Success Advising Specialist

The College Success Advising Specialist is responsible for providing support to college freshman students in the areas of financial aid, course registration, internships, career exposure, campus connection, and more via virtual methods as well as in-person. The CAS position advocates for College Possible's college students communicating to both College Possible and the higher educational institutions as to the needs of the students and resources needed for the students to persist and graduate.

Primary Responsibilities

Direct Student Support - 65%

• Follow College Possible structured college curriculum, which supports students in four areas: financial aid, academics/registration, social emotional, and career planning to help students progress towards specific goals/milestones
  • Coach students toward reaching College Possible programmatic milestones
  • Conduct and document end-of-semester assessments for each student (twice annually)
  • Create individualized support plans for students
• Maintain ongoing communication with all students in caseload
  • Lead monthly office hours on designated campus with the goal of meeting 10-20 students
  • Support the college enrollment process to ensure a smooth transition into college
  • Send messages of encouragement, congratulatory cards, care packages, etc.
  • Respond to all student text/calls/emails within 2 business days
• Guide students through financial aid renewal process by appropriate deadlines
• Support students to ensure semester-to-semester registration and on track to graduate with BA within 4-5 years
  • Collect and analyze transcripts to understand where students are academically and identify early warning indicators
  • Conduct degree mapping and audit session with students to detect any challenges with being on track to graduate
  • Provide proactive and intentional advising or referrals to support student with major selection and courses that align with major requirements
  • Provide tools, resources, and/or templates that allow students to learn and own their college journey with confidence.
• Empower students to resolve obstacles that come up throughout the school year by coaching them to become self-advocates and identify campus resources
• Proactive communicate with college/university departments to advocate for students
• Track and record student progress, using both quantitative and qualitative measures
  • Enter essential student data into Salesforce including contact information, transcripts, coach assessments, support plans, notes, and more..
  • Identify, run and summarize reports into a presentable form to share key information about caseload trends and progress

Caseload Management - 20%

• Manage a caseload of approximately 200 plus college freshman students, including, but not limited to:
  • Schedule all student meetings on a monthly, or as needed, basis
  • Manage time and calendar to meet minimum meeting standards as outlined by KPIs
  • Support students who have become unenrolled or who have transferred out of their initial institution
  • Utilize creative problem solving techniques to address student engagement
  • Incorporate effective and efficient organization and time management practices to understand each student support needs and deliver accordingly

Project Management- 10%

• Provide project leadership and support for program design initiatives that further College Possible's goal of improving student engagement and persistence rates
• Utilize data, including student outcomes and feedback from partners and students, to inform new ideas and interventions
• Program design projects include, but are not limited to, the development or refinement of program model initiatives and resources

Program & Organizational Support - 5%

• Support student and Ameri Corps recruitment
• Attend key events, including Launch, Baseline SAT Practice Test, college visits, and career-related student workshops
• Support the Development team by attending events, networking with guests and supporting event logistics
• Represent the College Possible brand in a positive light, and take actions to increase brand awareness throughout the community

Other Duties/Projects as Assigned

What You Bring

Education/Certifications/Licenses:

• Bachelor's degree required.

Related Work Experience

• 2-3 years min experience working as a staff member in college access/success or higher education is required
• 2-3 years' experience working specifically with college freshmen is required.
• Preference given to those with experience in college advising, student reengagement/persistence and academic success/completion of college students

Computer/Software Skills

• Well-developed computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Office

Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements

• Must possess exemplary verbal and written communication skills includes writing reports, giving presentations. English/Spanish bilingualism is preferred
• The ability to collaborate, work independently and be comfortable with some level of ambiguity
• Employees must have the ability to travel to college campuses or partner sites up to 30% of the time
• The employee must be able to problem solve complex student situations
• Must have strong interpersonal and coaching skills to quickly development rapport and build trust

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when needed.
• Office environment with limited travel
• Ability to stand and/or sit for a minimum of 7 hours a day

What We Offer

In addition to joining a committed, diverse, values-based organization, we offer.

• An opportunity for you to have a tremendous impact both internally and in the broader country.
• A competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Encouraged sustainability through a generous paid time off program.
• Personalized professional development and growth opportunities.

To Join Our Growing College Possible Team

Please apply at: www.CollegePossible.org/careers Include a resume and cover letter.