Program Associate – Access & Persistence

About College Bound Opportunities

College Bound Opportunities (CBO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping first-generation, underrepresented students access and complete college. We work alongside students and their families beginning in high school and continue supporting them through college graduation—providing consistent advising, advocacy, and resources at every step of the journey.

At CBO, we believe that long-term relationships, individualized support, and strong partnerships are key to student success. Our team is deeply committed to equity, educational access, and helping students navigate complex systems with confidence and clarity.

Position Overview

The Program Associate is a core member of CBO’s Student Success Team and plays a vital role in supporting Scholars during their high school and early college years. This position serves as a primary advisor and trusted adult for students—providing guidance on academics, college access, financial aid, and the transition to college and beyond.

Program Associates work closely with students, families, high school partners, and internal team members to ensure Scholars receive holistic, consistent, and responsive support. This role is ideal for someone who is highly relational, detail-oriented, and energized by working directly with young people and families.

Key Responsibilities

Scholar Advising & Support (High School)

• Serve as the primary advisor for a portfolio of Scholars, with weekly check-ins at assigned partner high schools (currently six).
• Build strong, trusting relationships through consistent 1:1 and group meetings focused on academics, wellness, college readiness, and goal-setting.
• Monitor Scholar progress, identify students who may be at risk, and coordinate timely interventions.
• Guide students through the college application process, including application requirements, timelines, and follow-up.
• Support students and families in completing FAFSA and CSS Profile applications, including account setup, documentation collection, and follow-through.
• Assist students in evaluating college options, planning campus visits, and weighing financial aid offers.
• Support scholarship identification and application processes.

College Persistence Support

• Continue advising a small cohort of Scholars into college.
• Support students in navigating campus resources such as tutoring, mental health services, and academic advising.
• Assist with course selection, time management, and adjustment to college life.
• Maintain regular check-ins throughout the academic year to support persistence and on-time graduation.

Application, Onboarding & Transitions

• Support prospective students through CBO’s application and selection process.
• Facilitate onboarding sessions and assist with intake data collection and baseline documentation.
• Coordinate senior seminar programming, college transition planning, and pre-college checklists.

School & Community Partnerships

• Serve as a liaison to assigned partner high schools, maintaining strong relationships with counselors and administrators.
• Support recruitment and referral efforts in collaboration with school partners.
• Represent CBO at school-based meetings and information sessions as needed.

Program Delivery & Family Engagement

• Co-facilitate workshops on college readiness topics such as FAFSA, scholarships, essay writing, and career exploration.
• Support parent and family engagement efforts, including session preparation, communication, and follow-up.
• Contribute to the development and facilitation of parent curriculum and meetings.
• Maintain and update Scholar-facing resources, templates, and materials.

Data, Reporting & Program Improvement

• Document Scholar interactions, case notes, and outcomes using CBO’s student data platform.
• Assist with surveys and feedback collection at key program milestones.
• Contribute accurate data to internal dashboards, board reports, and development materials.

Mentorship, Career & Leadership Development

• Support mentor matching, onboarding, and ongoing relationship check-ins.
• Promote career readiness programming including resume support, mock interviews, internships, and job exploration.
• Assist Scholars with resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and application materials.
• Support alumni and peer engagement initiatives.

Special Projects & Team Collaboration

• Participate in program innovation efforts, including new tools, onboarding systems, and curriculum enhancements.
• Contribute to reflection and planning processes, including Scholar storytelling and stakeholder feedback.
• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and annual performance reviews.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required (education, social work, nonprofit management, or related field preferred).
• Experience working with students, youth, or families in education, nonprofit, or community-based settings.
• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work across diverse backgrounds.
• High attention to detail and comfort managing multiple students and deadlines.
• Experience with data tracking systems or case management tools preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work in school-based settings and attend occasional evening or weekend programs.
• Commitment to educational equity and CBO’s mission.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $40,000 - $45,000
• Health insurance
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Hybrid work environment with meaningful in-community engagement
• Professional development opportunities
• Supportive, mission-driven team culture

Commitment to Equity

College Bound Opportunities is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

• Health insurance
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Hybrid work environment with meaningful in-community engagement
• Professional development opportunities
• Supportive, mission-driven team culture

English required, Spanish preferred.