PROGRAM MANAGER, COLLEGE SUCCESS

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Foundation for a College Education (FCE), located in East Palo Alto, California, is a nonprofit organization that offers a comprehensive college access and success program. FCE’s mission is to increase the number of students of color from East Palo Alto and similar communities who graduate from a four-year college or university. FCE has been recognized locally (Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce) and nationally (Lumina Foundation and the Educational Policy Institute) as an outstanding college access and college completion organization. Serving families since 1995, FCE has a graduation rate that exceeds the national average for Black and Latinx students. For more information, please visit: www.collegefoundation.org

FCE employees advance a culture of belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity to effectively bridge across differences that are representative of the communities we serve. We seek to have a high performing, inclusive, and engaged workforce that is centered around FCE’s goals.

The Program Manager, College Success reports to the Executive Director and works in close coordination with program staff to deliver FCE’s educational programs. This is an excellent opportunity for an energetic, inquisitive individual to become immersed in the field of educational equity. The Program Manager may also participate in organizational initiatives to evaluate FCE’s programs or functions, policies or procedures and contribute to developing alternative solutions.

The Program Manager, College Success is an essential member of the FCE team. Employees need to be based in the Bay Area and in-person services will be provided in accordance with San Mateo County COVID-19 guidelines.  This is a full-time position exempt from overtime regulations.  Working in tandem with the Executive Director and other program staff, the Program Manager’s primary responsibilities are:

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

Case Load Transition and Management

• Acquire a caseload of 50+ college students in FCE and support their transition into FCE’s College Success Program & through their college graduation
• Maintain a consistent case load of 50+ students. Advise students throughout their college journey by employing a developmentally and culturally appropriate framework and methodology, focused on student self-advocacy  
• Problem solve with students facing academic, financial, or personal challenges that could derail them from their college pursuits  
• Identify internship opportunities that enhance the college experience  
• Preemptively identify and work with students at higher risk for dropout
• Coordinate the review and revisions of students’ professional development materials, including resumes and cover letters, and facilitate focused discussions on career pathways with students 
• Monitor and track student progress toward major declaration and graduation  
• Refer to and collaborate with external resources as needed to ensure students receive the highest quality support
• Support with organizing college cohort events, workshops, and college visits 
• Maintain touch points throughout the year to communicate ongoing program expectations and needs
• Support graduating college students in identifying post-graduate plans and preparation. Develop programming on career preparation

Program Development and Event Planning

• Assist in planning, implementing, and evaluating summer transition-to-college events to support our students with college readiness and continued  engagement with FCE 
• Develop new initiatives to support the growing need of our College Success program
• Support with workshop development and execution

Program Implementation

• Assist with collecting student data, updating information in databases and compiling reports to track student participation and outcomes
• Evaluate the efficacy of the program by soliciting student feedback and measuring program impact in conjunction with program staff  
• Collaborate with program staff to ensure holistic student support  
• Support program staff in developing additional curriculum for onboarding students into College Success and supporting students academically, socio-emotionally, and professionally  

Community Partnerships

• Foster and maintain relationships with our local partners and represent FCE at monthly or quarterly partnership meetings

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred 
• A minimum of two years in either student coaching or counseling, preferably with a college-going population 
• Experience working with populations traditionally under-represented on college campuses, such as undocumented students, independent youth, English language learners, young parents, students with learning differences, etc. 
• Strong knowledge of university policies related to financial aid, college admissions (especially transfers), academics (probation, dismissal), the appeals process, and general college resources 
• Excellent writing, public speaking and interpersonal skills
• Attentive to detail, extremely well organized and capable of managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, data management systems
• Proficiency in oral and written Spanish (preferred)
• Proven ability to form and maintain professional, compassionate connections with students and family members
• Ability to work on a small collaborative team
• Ability to work on the computer most of the work day and perform some light lifting of boxes or equipment up to 25 pounds

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Compensation includes a benefits package, which includes health, dental, and life insurance, and a self-funded retirement plan.

MANDATED REPORTER STATUS

In accordance with the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act of California (“CANRA”), FCE has determined that certain employees whose duties require direct contact with or supervision of persons under the age of 18 are mandated reporters. This is a mandated reporter position. FCE provides employees with training on fulfilling this requirement.

COVID VACCINE POLICY

During the COVID-19 pandemic, FCE is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and is taking measures to protect employees, students, and families from contracting and spreading COVID-19.  Now that COVID-19 vaccines are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are readily available to the public, and proven effective, FCE enforces a mandatory vaccination policy subject to limited exceptions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER  

FCE is committed to providing equal opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital or registered domestic partnership status, veteran status, participation in military service, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or domestic violence victim status.