The Student Success Specialist is responsible for ensuring the success of Upward Bound participants by coordinating services, activities, events, and intervention strategies that aid students to achieve their academic realization from high school to graduation from an institute of higher education. The position monitors participant progress while fostering relationships between the program, high school administration, faculty, staff and students.
This position is funded in whole or in part, by an external grant and is subject to immediate termination if the grant funding ceases. No employee who is in such a position may file a grievance over the termination of the position. While it is possible that grant funding may be renewed, the current funding for this position ends on May 31, 2027.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Participates in the recruitment process by interviewing, evaluating, and selecting eligible participants; reviews student applications, interviews applicants, and assures participants meet the eligibility requirements.
- Educates students on policies and procedures, goal setting, program requirements, academic and career planning, social/personal intervention and mentors students.
- Monitors participants progress; maintains appropriate records to ensure compliance with grant regulations and reporting requirements.
- Monitors and reviews students' high school grades and assist with the development of a plan for continual improvement and provides intervention and/or learning strategies.
- Serves as a point of contact for the program, will answer program questions from faculty, staff, and students, serves as liaison to the campus target schools, community agencies, and the general public.
- Provides enrollment guidance, managing web presence and some marketing efforts, drafting program materials, planning and executing events, preparing and analyzing reports.
- Develops and presents information at target schools, community events, workshops and other relevant outreach programs to recruit participants for program.
- Develops and conducts individual and small group college, and financial workshops for program participants and their families.
- Provides assistance to students and parents with completion of the FAFSA, Common Application, Apply Texas Application, scholarship applications, etc.
- Maintains a structured schedule of visits to target schools to meet with students; academic instructors, and school counselors.
- Assists with the maintenance of student files, program records, program report; and handles documentation and information as sensitive and confidential.
- Assists with new student orientation and the supervision of participants on field trips, events, and during times of physical recreation.
- Develops personal education plans for participants, and evaluates transcripts; assists students with preparation for and completion of registration for the SAT and ACT assessments
- Administers and interprets career interest inventories and discusses the outcome with students.
- Assists with planning and implementing highly successful programs and services to enable participants to successfully complete high school, apply for college admissions, financial aid including scholarships, and/or housing.
- Conducts outreach and follow-up on former participants; assists with time and effort reporting as needed for grant management.
- Assist students with the development of academic resumes and strongly effective college essays for college applications.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, secondary education, social work, psychology or related field, Master's degree in counseling preferred
- Certification/licensure in counseling and guidance, educational psychology, educational administration, social work, with licensure in the State of Texas preferred.
- 3 or more years of successful work experience in Upward Bound or a similar or related program
- 2 or more years of full-time, professional work experience within an academic setting that includes teaching and/or counseling high school students including career guidance is preferred;
- 2 or more years of experience/knowledge of the following processes at the university level: (1) academic development, (2) admissions, (3) financial aid including scholarships, (4) residential housing, and (5) career guidance is preferred;
- 2 or more year of full-time, professional experience serving potential first generation college students from low-income backgrounds preferred;
- Must clear and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance.
- Must have valid driver's license, motor vehicle liability insurance, and personal injury insurance, or have a self-reliant source of transportation to conduct business on a daily basis
- Must have the ability to demonstrate intermediate to high skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Outlook, Teams, and Zoom or similar platforms); familiarity with financial systems (Banner), a plus
- Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, and weekends.
- Must be able to conduct home visits and to travel to assist with the supervision of participants on field trips.
- Bilingual Preferred (English/Spanish with the ability to understand and to make one's self understood to Spanish speaking individuals)
- Demonstrated successful experience working with youth from low-income and culturally diverse backgrounds.
- Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire students to achieve their highest potential; experience serving potential first generation college students from low-income backgrounds preferred; Strong knowledge of the Upward Bound program and the population it serves; alumni of the program are preferred
- Experience in recruitment of high school youth for participation in an academic program
- Experience with virtual training, coaching, or instruction preferred.
- Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong public relations and customer service skills with an ability to implement diplomacy and discretion at all times; ability to work effectively with high school students, parents, school counselors, teachers, faculty and staff.
- Must have high ethical standards and a strong sense of confidentiality; ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines; thrive in a complex work environment; display solid problem solving and interpersonal skills; work well independently and as part of a team; professional demeanor, appearance and strong work ethic required
- Must have a high attention to detail and be able to organize workflow, coordinate activities, balance simultaneous projects without loss of efficiency in a multi-tasked environment, and manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Working conditions are in an office environment and university campus setting. Must be able to move across the university campus to conduct day to day business.
- While performing this role, the employee will be regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear, both in person and by telephone; and use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Frequently communicates with others using approved technological resources; must be able to exchange accurate information through designated systems within a timely manner.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
St. Mary's University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
