College Advising Specialist

College Advising Specialist

College Possible Chicago

About College Possible

As one of the largest and most successful college access and success organizations in the country, since 2000 College Possible has empowered more than 85,700 students on their path to earning a college degree. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Compared with their peers from similar backgrounds, College Possible students are 30% more likely to enroll in college the year after high school graduation, and three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree.

College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as College Possible coaches in communities throughout the country. Many represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.

Our near-peer coaching 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 an annual operating budget of ~$33.5 million, more than 190 full-time employees and more than 245 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 25,700 students nationwide.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates: regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

College Possible is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals and conduct all possible activities in fully accessible settings. Alternative application formats are available upon request by contacting hr@collegepossible.org.

Your Role as College Advising Specialist

The College Advising Specialist is responsible for providing support to college 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

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  • 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 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 AmeriCorps 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 is required

Related Work Experience

• 2-3 years min experience working as a staff member in college access/success or higher education is required
• Preference given to those with experience in college advising, student re-engagement/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
• 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.