Human Resources

Summary

The Academic Coordinator is responsible for providing academic, career, and financial guidance to underserved students, families, teachers, and school administrators as part of Michigan Technological University’s federal TRIO Upward Bound grant program. Working as part of the TRIO team in the University’s Center for Educational Outreach, the Academic Coordinator will collaborate to serve high school students in nine local school districts annually through the delivery of high quality programming focused on increasing college access and attainment and postsecondary success.

Michigan Tech is an internationally renowned doctoral research university located in Houghton, MI in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula, on the south shore of Lake Superior. The area provides a unique setting where natural beauty, culture, education, and a diversity of residents from around the world come together to share a superb living and learning experience.

Michigan Tech is proud to be an ADVANCE Institution that has thrice received National Science Foundation support to increase diversity, inclusion, and the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented individuals in STEM.

Responsibilities 

• Coordinate and implement high-impact educational outreach activities in alignment with grant objectives, including the delivery of classroom presentations and workshops, promotion of study and test-taking skills, exploration of career pathways, advising/tutoring, facilitation of college campus visits and information sessions, etc.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan for participant recruitment in alignment with grant performance goals and requirements as well as create and maintain channels of project referral with target-area schools.
• Work jointly with target schools to identify and recruit prospective participants, monitor student progress, and determine areas in which further support is needed.
• Support the execution of a high-quality, residential academic summer program, including providing participant supervision and guidance and delivering curriculum.
• Provide counsel and academic guidance to program participants, including making regular field visits and advising meetings, advocating for additional resources as necessary, supervising during program activities and field trips, obtaining testing support, and assisting with the completion of financial aid and college application processes.
• Oversee the delivery of the academic aspects of the grant, such as educational lectures, seminars, workshops, enrichment programs, test prep, tutoring, mentoring, and more.
• Ensure provision of equitable and inclusive services to all eligible participants, with a special emphasis on serving traditionally underrepresented and underserved students.
• Conduct regular program assessment and evaluation and prepare reports on program impact, reach, and other criteria as needed.
  Liaise with external constituents, including other educational partners, community organizations, and area businesses with a focus on building partnerships that foster positive participant educational and career outcomes.
• Maintain excellent communication with participants, families, schools, and other relevant stakeholders in positive representation of the grant, Center, and University at all times.
• Assist with the recruitment, interviewing, training, and supervision of temporary program staff and student coordinators as needed.
• Contribute to the creative vision and strategic planning of outreach programming, special events, and activities; provide assistance and support in the development of new initiatives of the Center for Educational Outreach.
• Work frequent non-traditional hours, including occasional weekends and holidays, and be willing to travel regularly (up to 50%).
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree

Required Experience

• At least two years of experience working with high school students.
• Experience teaching/counseling youth.
• At least two years of experience with event planning, program development, and/or program/event management.
• Demonstrated experience with program assessment and/or evaluation.
  

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Master’s degree.
• Three years of experience teaching/counseling youth.
• Familiarity with TRIO programs including Upward Bound and/or other programs currently administered in the department.
• Experience advocating for non-traditional/at-risk students and potential college students.
• Experience working with K-12 youth in a residential academic program environment.
• Experience conducting non-traditional educational programs and outreach/event planning.
• Experience working with diverse groups of students.
• Experience working with Federal or State grant programs, particularly for students from underserved populations.
  

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to working with underrepresented populations.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, customer service, and oral/written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently organize and prioritize work assignments and exercise effective time management.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under conditions with frequent interruptions, shared resources, and multiple deadlines.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to work nontraditional hours.
• Demonstrated ability to use judgment when dealing with confidential or sensitive information.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated interest/experience in working with students of all ages and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated interest/experience in promoting diversity.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to travel regularly, up to 50%.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.
• Willingness to participate in professional development and undergo vigorous safety training and background/criminal records checks.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to navigate dynamic, urgent/emergent, and/or sensitive situations.
• Experience using advanced features of Google suite, Banner, website management and presentation software.
• Positive attitude toward innovation, student service, and a sense of humor.
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints. **

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

• Work frequent non-traditional hours, including occasional weekends and holidays, and willingness to travel regularly (up to 50%).
• Ability to spend long hours standing or on foot.
• Ability to walk short and long distances during travel and events.
  

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

FLSA Status

Exempt

Title of Position Supervisor

Director of TRIO Programs

Additional Information

Application should include:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• 3 professional references