Academic Counselor - Upward Bound

Western Kentucky University • Bowling Green, KY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

About Upward Bound (UB) Upward Bound at WKU is a TRIO program grant-funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Upward Bound provides motivational, educational, and cultural enrichment to potential first-generation and low-income high school students from Allen, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan counties (including Russellville Independent School District). Upward Bound's mission is to prepare students for success in post-secondary education.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Education, Social Work, Human Services, core academic content area, or related field.
• Possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record.
• Availability to work some evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to build relationships and advocate for first-generation and low-income students
• Ability to initiate, implement, and coordinate projects
• Ability to maintain paper and electronic files accurately

Responsibilities

• Provides guidance, academic advisement, and mentorship for first-generation, low-income participants by: Conducting workshops, group meetings, and one-on-one sessions in: secondary and post-secondary course selection, goal setting, study skills, ACT/SAT test application and preparation, college selection, financial aid applications, college admissions applications, scholarship applications, career planning, and postsecondary enrollment processes.
• Working closely with school personnel to support participants.
• Collaborating with parents/guardians on student progress.
• Works with director to plan and coordinate cultural, social, and recreational programming.
• Collaborates with director, academic coordinator, and other program staff to develop and implement academic programming for the approximately 24 school visits, ten Saturday Sessions, and the six-week pre-college summer program.
• Tracks and maintains records of student progress by: Working with school counselors to collect grades, test scores, transcripts, and other relevant academic data.
• Maintaining a record of all student contacts and services provided.
• Assisting director in annual performance report (APR).
• Assists in program recruitment by: Conducting recruitment and information sessions, classroom visits, tabling, and individual student and parent meetings at schools and within the community.
• Guiding students and parents through the recruitment and intake processes.
• Travels frequently to target schools (all target schools are within a 50-minute drive from WKU).
• Attends professional meetings and trainings, and participate in professional organizations.
• Other duties necessary to meet program needs.

Benefits

• Comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents
• Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave
• A tuition discount program for employees and dependents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level