Alumni Advisor

Diocese of Dallas Schools•Dallas, TX

About The Position

Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep (CRD) is a Catholic, college preparatory high school for students of all faiths who cannot otherwise afford a private education. CRD nurtures and challenges young women and men to recognize and realize their full potential as they grow to love God, respect others, and serve their community. Each student participates in the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), which offers a weekly work study experience for all four years. The role of the Alumni Advisor at CRD is to work with students on a group and individual basis to promote a successful transition to college, college persistence, and college graduation. This individual will help direct students toward college readiness and broaden their opportunities for success to and through college. The primary responsibilities of the Alumni Advisor are to ensure the alignment of college guidance processes with alumni advising so that CRD graduates are prepared to succeed on a college campus and to educate and support CRD students, graduates, and parents through the financial aid process. The position requires extensive experience with college admissions, matriculation, and financial aid processes, a strong sense of low-income students’ and family needs in preparing for college, and the ability to manage key relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. In addition, candidates should be prepared to work closely with Salesforce and integrate it into the workflow of their caseload management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s preferred
A minimum of three years of experience in college or high school advising, working with students from low- to moderate-income households, as well as with a group of socially/ethnically/racially/religiously diverse students and their families.
Strong understanding of the academic, financial, and social barriers to college access and persistence for underrepresented, first-generation students
Highly collaborative, autonomous, and dynamic leader with the ability to manage a large number of professional relationships with a variety of stakeholders
Relentless focus on results, high level of accountability, self-starter, and willingness to do “whatever it takes,” including flexibility around scheduling, travel, and ability to work some evening hours, and or travel to assigned colleges
Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Cristo Rey Network and model
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial school environment
A belief that all students can succeed in college and careers
Strong working knowledge of Google Suite, Canva, SCOIR, and Salesforce preferred

Nice To Haves

Certification in college guidance and/or alumni advising is preferred but not required
Knowledge of social media platforms, event planning, and database management is a plus
Spanish fluency strongly preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Support the planning and implementation of a robust Alumni Advising Program that will include: Communicating with alumni via phone calls, text, email, and videoconference, leveraging Salesforce to maximize the efficiency of tracking information.
Create and maintain a constant, robust social media presence across various school platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) for the College Guidance Department.
Creating and sharing resources for students that promote college success, career readiness, and job placement.
Coordinating multiple events per year for alumni to build community and access programming (time and budget permitting).
Working closely with students enrolled in two-year colleges to ensure degree completion and support a successful transition into a four-year program.
Outreach and advising strategies that will improve the degree attainment rate of our graduates while increasing meaningful college readiness skills and life skills.
Identifying and working with struggling students to assess their needs and recommend individualized resources and solutions.
Develop and maintain CRD partnership agreements with 4-year and 2-year institutions to create bridges for successful student transitions and undergraduate degree completion
Collaboration with the mental health and college counseling team to focus on the mental, personal, and social health and well-being of all students
Moderate travel to visit students on college campuses to support their efforts in persistence and graduating from college.
Lead the planning and implementation of workshops for parents and students on key topics related to financial aid processes, college enrollment, and persistence.
Ensure students take advantage of special opportunities made available to low-income and/or first-generation college students on their college campuses.
Design and teach College Readiness and Alumni Advising classes that support the college counseling process and the transition to college success and persistence.
Actively research all aspects of alumni counseling, including financial aid, scholarships, and academic success.
Maintain an effective tracking system to continue CRD graduate support while also maintaining actionable alumni data (college enrollment, persistence, and completion reports).
Coordinate opportunities for CRD Administrators to visit CRD graduates on their respective college campuses.
Maintain and celebrate a school-wide college-going culture for 9th-12th grades (e.g., publicly posting college graduations, hosting alumni panels, connecting prospective applicants to alumni in college, and promoting the Cristo Rey Alumni Association, etc.)
Represent CRD at local, state, and national college admissions conferences, fairs, and/or tours to help strengthen regional partnerships and college persistence expertise.
Participate in CRD academic team meetings and school events as well as seek out professional development opportunities offered by local college access organizations (i.e., NACAC, NCAN, TACAC) and the Cristo Rey National Office.
Connect with other alumni advising programs at Cristo Rey Network schools
Collaborates directly with students, parents, faculty/staff, College Counselor(s), and College Representatives.