Programs Associate

Minds Matter NYC (MMNYC) connects driven and determined students from low-income families with people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college, create their future, and change the world! MMNYC is the founding and largest of the 14 Minds Matter chapters nationally. Since 1991, every Minds Matter student has been admitted to a four-year college. Their success is rooted in holistic programming and a unique model that puts dedicated volunteers at the forefront of the work with students.

In recent years, MMNYC has experienced tremendous growth — doubling the size of the student body (now reaching 500+ students), expanding the size of the volunteer corps and staff, and increasing the annual budget to $3MM. As part of the 2025 Strategic Plan, MMNYC dramatically expanded both its service population and scope of services — expanding from a 3-year college access program to a premier 7+ year college and career attainment program serving students from high school through college and into careers.

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Minds Matter seeks an enthusiastic, organized, and driven Programs Associate to join the team. Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Programs Associate role is a highly collaborative position that works with various stakeholders throughout the organization, including all members of the Minds Matter NYC staff, the student body, the volunteer corps, and the Executive Committee. 

Please note: During the academic school year (September-May), regular work days for this position are Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, and Saturday 10:00 - 2:00. Further details are outlined below.

Fundamental Qualities: 

• Passionate about the Minds Matter mission and the organization’s values of community, commitment, and growth
• Team player who is ready to learn and grow with the organization
• Self-starter, eager to own projects, take initiative, and make them successful
• Innovative and solution-oriented
• Creative and enthusiastic
• Highly organized and detail-oriented 
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Passionate about equity and closing the opportunity gap

Essential Responsibilities: 

Program Support

• Support day-to-day operations/logistics for Saturday programs
• Manage data collection specific to student progress (e.g., attendance, surveys, transcripts)
• Reconcile and manage sophomore program expenses
• Work with the Director of Programs to make updates and enhancements to existing sophomore curriculum
• Work with the programs team to coordinate logistics for events (e.g., scheduling, student communication, materials, etc.)
• Plan and support logistics for sophomore program events and trips
• Communicate regularly with students, parents/guardians, as well as guidance counselors, in support of sophomore and junior program student success
• Collaborate with the programs team to streamline communication processes and establish best practices
• Serve as the main contact for school partners and manage the logistics and operations for all Saturday space needs and requirements
• Support all logistics for sophomore summer program (ALDA)

Student Recruitment 

• Support, conduct, and manage information sessions for prospective students and work with alumni to host information sessions
• Manage student recruitment, including application screening, scheduling, and conducting interviews
• Process and evaluate student applications and manage student interviews for prospective students
• Draft communications to various stakeholders and field questions and concerns from students and prospective applicants
• Work with staff and the volunteer recruitment team to select incoming students each year
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers to implement the application review and interview process
• Serve as the point person for all communication with school partners and contacts and foster strong relationships with current and potential partner schools

Professional Qualifications:

Specific education and professional requirements include: 

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 2-3 years of experience in education or nonprofit sector preferred
• Able to manage complex tasks and multiple projects and timelines
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to connect with high school and college-level students from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities
• Capable of working independently as well as collaboratively
• Previous experience with excel and managing data preferred
• Previous experience with CRM databases, such as Salesforce, preferred
• Must be available to work Saturdays and occasional evenings

This role is based in New York City (Midtown Manhattan) and the organization currently operates in a hybrid model with an expectation to be in the office several days per month, at external meetings, and at weekly Saturday program sessions.

Schedule: During the academic school year (September-May), regular work days for this position are Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, and Saturday 10:00 - 2:00. During the summer, workdays are Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.