Job Title: College Readiness Program Associate
FLSA: Exempt
Position Type: Full-time
Reports To: College Readiness Program Administrator
Location: Denver/Hybrid or Remote Considered
Organization Information
The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 35 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided $20.5 million in scholarships and other direct student support for access to a higher education that is steeped in Native culture and values to American Indian students in 2023-24.
Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $349 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of programs at the nation’s 33 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers.
The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. It earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, and the “Best in America Seal of Excellence” from the Independent Charities of America.
The College Fund was also named as one of the nation’s top 100 charities to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.
Our Mission
The American Indian College Fund invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities.
Our Vision
The vision of the American Indian College Fund is for healthy, self-sufficient, and educated American Indian and Alaska Native people. Since its founding in 1989, the American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native student access to higher education. We provide scholarships and programming for American Indian and Alaska Native students to access higher education. And once students are in college, we provide them with the tools and support to succeed.
Position Summary
The College Readiness Associate provides expertise and support in college going services that are culturally centered for entities serving Native youth. This position will engage and build collaborative partnerships with targeted high schools and TCUs to provide supports and resources for high school to college matriculation. The college readiness specialist will support the goals of the Student Success Services Team and of the College Fund by collaborating with team members in providing student resources and supports to gain access to higher education and to persist through their college experience.
Essential Job Functions
1. Builds and maintains sustainable support systems, practices and resources within the high schools, TCUs, and communities we partner with for improved and increased student supports.
- Use peer learning opportunities and communities of practice, when possible, to support college readiness activities and goals to build and foster a college going culture in Native communities.
- Plan convenings and site visits to TCUs and partner institutions in collaboration with Student Success Services team to maintain partnerships.
- Plan, facilitate and implement summer programming and convening for program participants in collaboration with the Student Success Services team.
- Seek out professional development opportunities as well as for institution support staff in best practices that support students- to include, but not limited to college applications, essays, FAFSA, choosing a best-fit college.
- Keep up to date records on students and partner activity. Provide reports as needed for supervisors.
- Utilize quantitative and qualitative data to inform program goals and direction and to support students, high schools, and organizations.
- Provide formal updates to supervisors twice yearly for review and for professional growth (December and June).
2. Serve as a resource for pre-college students, TCUs, and entities that serve them.
- Plan, facilitate and administer college readiness program components. Includes: subgrant administration, online resources, webinars and text messaging.
- Create and share resources on college and career readiness strategies to guide students towards their graduation, college and career goals.
- Connect students, high schools, TCUs, and organizations to Student Success Service programming at the College Fund as relevant.
- Regular, timely outreach and communication (email, phone and virtual) to program partners regarding upcoming deadlines, requirements, and expectations associated with programming and potential scholarships.
- Stay current and up to date on latest trends involving Native student Education, the college choice process.
Job Requirements
Competencies
- Proficient IT skills particularly with databases, Microsoft Office products and social media
- Ability to develop and enhance relationships
- Ability to meet deadlines for a wide variety of job assignments
- Ability to manage numerous tasks and/or projects at one time
- Attention to and tolerance for detail
- Ability to work collaboratively within and across departments as well as with external partners
- Proven ability to accomplish defined goals and objectives
- Experience presenting for small and large groups
- Willingness to travel during certain periods
Education/Experience/Certification Requirements
- BA Degree
- Experience working with AIAN or underserved population high school and/or college students
- Two years of experience working in a field related to college readiness
Preferred Qualifications
- MA in Student Affairs, or related field and/or four years of work experience in an education related setting
- Involvement and/or experience with student advising, coaching and admissions
Work Environment
- Professional office environment
- Dedicated office space outside of College Fund if working remote or hybrid
- Up to 35% travel by airplane and car
Physical Requirements
- Frequent keyboarding
- Frequent screen viewing
- Occasional Lifting up to 30 pounds
Supervisory Responsibilities
- No supervisory duties assigned to this position
Note: The intent is not to provide an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with this position. Incumbent may perform other duties as assigned.
