Program Associate

MISSION SCHOLARS: PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

(Full-time, Hybrid, w/ Benefits)

Position Description

Mission Scholars seeks a passionate and dedicated individual to serve as Program Associate, joining a team committed to advancing educational equity in South Santa Barbara County. Mission Scholars uses comprehensive college admissions guidance, mentorship, and career development training to help outstanding low-income students reach their full potential and become a force for change in our communities. Each year, Mission Scholars is honored to serve approximately 200 high school and college Scholars and their families, providing them with free, comprehensive support on college admissions, financial aid & scholarships, college success, and career development & leadership training. It is incredibly rewarding work.

Reporting to the Dir. of Operations and the Program Leaders of College Access and College Affordability, the Program Associate will provide the support needed to continue building and maintaining successful College Access and College Affordability programs.

Primary Responsibilities

College Access:

• Serve as Mission Scholars’ staff liaison for Scholars in College Access Programs;
• Assist Program Manager in organizing and conducting College Access Program workshops, panels, and community outreach opportunities and professional development opportunities;
• Support recruitment of prospective Mission Scholars College Access Program applicants through hosting school and community information sessions, new student orientation programs, and additional program outreach;
• Provide support for College Access volunteers as they work with high school Scholars:

• Build strong working relationships with high school counselors, teachers, and other community-based organization program leaders;
• Maintain regular contact with Scholars to ensure College Access Program responsibilities are met;
• Maintain regular contact with families to provide updates on programming;
• Meet periodically with Scholars and parents/guardians to discuss Scholars’ progress in the College Access program;
• Document Scholars’ compliance with program responsibilities and develop high school and college academic support plans;
• Support program planning and implement activities to reach program goals;
• Help collect student demographics and statistics for reporting and evaluation;
• Support near-peer mentorship programs;
• Assist the organization in accurately recording data and tracking Scholars’ College Access outcomes; and
• Analyze data to help determine the next steps for Scholars and for the College Access Program.

College Affordability:

• Help organize College Affordability materials in Scholars’ folders;
• Provide support to College Affordability Program Coordinator as they work with Scholars throughout the Financial Aid Season;
• Build strong rapport with Scholars, Mission Scholars staff, volunteers, etc.;
• Regularly connect with Scholars to ensure College Affordability Program responsibilities are met;
• Help organize and monitor Spring Scholarship deadlines in Master Scholarship spreadsheet and individual Scholars’ Scholarship Plans and Timelines;
• Help collect student extra-curricular involvement details for organizational metrics;
• Assist the organization in collecting Scholars’ Financial Aid package data and tracking Scholars’ scholarship outcomes;
• Provide scholarship application and essay reviews;
• Deliver regular programmatic reports on Scholar progress, updates, and concerns;
• Offer weekly office hours to Scholars; 
• Help organize Total Cost of Attendance for colleges and universities, identify varying housing options, meal plans, and direct/indirect costs; 
• Demonstrate proficiency in operating Excel; and
• Assist in inputting data in the organization’s Financial Aid Package Evaluation Tool (Excel).

Qualifications

• Have a Bachelor’s degree and fluency in Spanish;
• Are passionate about college access and graduation for low-income students, first-generation students, and students from ethnically underrepresented groups in higher education;
• Are able to form strong relationships with a wide range of constituents, including, but not limited to: Scholars, families, staff, leadership, donors, high school counselors and administrators, local program leaders, and college admissions officers;
• Seek to work at a fast-paced, highly collaborative, compassionate, start-up organization, where entrepreneurialism, innovation, and honest feedback are appreciated;
• Self-motivated creative thinker who can work both independently and as part of a team;
• Experience working with youth and young adults in areas such as college support, volunteer support, office administration, event planning is a plus; and
• Prior work experience with students in high schools, college access, college admissions, higher education (certificate, 2-year, or 4-year programs), youth development, teaching and/or counseling, or college retention programs.

Other Requirements

• Passionate about equal access to higher education;
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for events and workshops;
• Willing to provide administrative support as needed;
• Willing to advocate relentlessly on behalf of our Scholars;
• Access to reliable transportation; and
• Possess impeccable written and verbal communication skills.

Job Type: Full-Time, hybrid (minimum 3 days in the office per week)

Benefits: Health, Vision, Dental

Salary: $22-$25/hr

FOR CONSIDERATION, PLEASE SUBMIT

• Résumé
• Cover letter, detailing your qualifications for the position as they relate to the job description, as well as any anecdotes you feel differentiate your candidacy.
• Preference will be given to candidates who apply by August 16, 2024.

Please submit documents and questions to Jacqueline Mora: jmora@missionscholars.org.