2026-2027 College Success Fellow – Hartford, Connecticut/Rhode Island

KIPP•New York, NY

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

The College Success Fellow program at KIPP Forward is seeking exceptional recent or soon-to-be college graduates to join their team. As full-time employees, Fellows will be dedicated to supporting recent graduates from partner high schools through their first two years of college, with the ultimate goal of ensuring they persist and accumulate 60 credits for on-time degree completion. The program includes regular training and direct feedback from experienced managers. The Hartford, Connecticut/Rhode Island Fellow will be assigned to schools within a 3-hour driving distance of the Hartford region and is expected to reside in Connecticut during the academic year. This field-based position requires frequent travel to college campuses, with all transportation costs covered. Fellows will provide coaching, mentorship, and direct support through 1:1 advisement sessions and regular communication, assessing alumni progress using "Persistence Benchmarks" that cover financial health, academic habits, socio-emotional health, and career planning. The fellowship is initially a one-year commitment, with a potential for extension up to two additional years based on performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree earned by May 2025 (graduated within the last 2 years to maintain the near-peer model).
Cumulative college grade point average of 2.7 or higher.
Commitment to working with underserved and underrepresented students and families.
Ability to demonstrate commitment to KIPP NYC's mission and values by acting with integrity.
Friendly and approachable to quickly engage advisees and colleagues.
High energy, positivity, and enthusiasm to encourage and inspire advisees.
Ability to manage stressful or complex situations with calm, composure, and resourcefulness.
Ability to self-manage to address challenges and meet ambitious goals and strict deadlines.
Flexibility and willingness to contribute on projects outside of own caseload.
Demonstrated ability to work well with others and build relationships within and across teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail.
Strong achievement orientation with exceptional time management skills and demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities.
A valid driver’s license is highly preferred.

Nice To Haves

KIPP and Achievement First alumni are actively sought.
Recent college graduates, preferably from one of the communities where KIPP schools are based, to retain the near-peer model of service.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of approximately 125 college students, meeting at least once per semester (sometimes two to four times) and engaging in regular video/calls/texts for advising focused on college persistence and credit attainment.
Become an expert on assigned campuses through research and exploration to direct alumni to campus offices, resources, and supports.
Connect, collaborate, and maintain relationships with key campus staff and support offices to effectively support alumni and address challenges.
Conduct routine follow-ups to ensure successful registration and completion of coursework, and drive registration for the summer term for under-credited students.
Assist students in writing and submitting financial aid and enrollment letters of appeal to maintain enrollment status and/or financial aid.
Assist students with FAFSA/TAP renewals and loan counseling completion when necessary.
Recruit for and progress monitor students’ participation in KIPP Forward’s Wayfinders Career Programs, including career assessments, resume and mock interview workshops, networking practices, and internship/career exposure applications.
Prepare alumni for a successful transition to NERA, the Y3+ alumni support program.
Track Persistence Benchmarks with every student contact on four key indicators: Financial, Socio-Emotional, Academic, and Passion/Purpose/Plan (Career Readiness).
Utilize KIPP Forward’s Caseload Engagement & Advising Management System (CEAMS) to analyze student data, prioritize visits, and focus 1:1 meetings on transformational coaching.
Drive the submission of transcripts in January and May.
Drive completion of the annual satisfaction survey from the caseload.
Track and maintain key student data points in centralized data systems, including detailed notes of communications, enrollment changes, campus visits, and updated contact information.
Attend mandatory New Fellows Training and ongoing quarterly professional development, which may require travel to NYC (paid for by KIPP Forward).
Engage actively in the continuous and intensive training program, including workshops, team meetings, 1:1 weekly meetings with managers, observations, webinars, and team step-backs.
Participate in KIPP Forward’s Wayfinders Career Program and other career training programs for professional development.
Plan and participate in weekly one-on-one meetings with the College Success Manager.
Regularly and openly communicate with the College Success Manager to seek guidance and support.
Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications associate to leverage social media for programming promotion and information delivery.
Submit all receipts for travel expenses weekly via the finance platform.
Maintain travel schedule on the team calendar.
Collect FERPA waivers and other required documentation.
Respond to emails, calls, and texts from staff and students within 24 hours.