GEAR UP College Success Coach

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

About The Position

The GEAR UP College Success Coach will work with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) which is a federally funded initiative aimed at early student awareness and readiness for college assisting the identified GEAR UP Local Education Agency’s (LEA’s) 7th – 12th grade students in matriculation to Higher Education. The GEAR UP program specifically targets first generation college students/parents and minority students/parents. The GEAR UP College Success Coach will primarily assist and support the specified LEA’s students with college preparation and career goals and options. In addition to working with specified high schools and their students, the GEAR UP College Success Coach will work with parents, high school counselors and administrators to inform them of specific college requirements, financial planning, scholarships, and student support services. The GEAR UP College Success Coach will also act as a resource for academic information, financial aid information and decision-making strategies once the student arrives on the campus. This position will work with students from GEAR UP schools in the areas of identifying student support services that will aid in the transition to college. The GEAR UP College Success Coach will be expected to work with each entity; GEAR UP schools, colleges, and students/parents in an effective, positive, and professional manner to convey to a diverse constituency the features and benefits of a higher education degree. The GEAR UP College Success Coach and the university supervisor will have the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator as their point of contact with OK GEAR UP. The Coach will devote a majority of their time to the SWOSU campus helping first year students complete a successful first-year experience and return as sophomores as well as time spent working at Altus Public Schools and Clinton Public Schools to assist students with postsecondary plans. The Coach will greet and assist students on their assigned campus when a college tour from one of our GEAR UP schools visit SWOSU. Those schools include Altus, Clinton, Durant, Grove, Guthrie, Jay, Locust Grove, Sapulpa, Skiatook, Stillwell, & Tahlequah. The Coach will assist the OK GEAR UP Site Director in making sure Altus Public Schools and Clinton Public Schools Seniors have a completed FAFSA on file. The Coach will assist SWOSU campus GEAR UP students when FAFSA help is needed. The Coach should visit with all Altus High School and Clinton High School Seniors in a presentation setting at some point during the students’ Senior Year. The Coach will complete all required OK GEAR UP training with OK GEAR UP Coaching Program and complete required data entry. The Coach will answer to the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator regarding GEAR UP activities and report to the assigned SWOSU Supervisor regarding campus policies and procedures. The Coach will attend meetings and trainings as required by their SWOSU supervisor and keep the SWOSU supervisor updated on activities, absences and off campus work. The Coach should strive to foster good relationships on campus and assist in the overall positive work of the campus, which in turn assists GEAR UP in OKC. The Coach is required to attend the monthly general staff meeting of OK GEAR UP in OKC. The Coach should assist the OK GEAR UP Site Director in making sure OK Promise students at Altus and Clinton Schools complete their mandatory paperwork before the deadline during their senior year. The Coach should support the Altus and Clinton Schools’ concurrently enrolled students and encourage post-secondary continuance of education. The Coach will be on a team with Coaches from SEOSU, NSU, ECU, UCO and SWOSU. The Coach is not an SWOSU exclusive recruiter but certainly may encourage students as to the value of the SWOSU opportunities. The Coach is a general promoter of all Oklahoma Public Colleges. The Coach will take part in required college coach training as provided by GEAR UP. Promote personal safety, safety procedures and a safe work environment. Assist in emergency situations as called upon. Assist office personnel during peak periods. Perform other work-related duties as called upon. All tasks are to be performed in a manner that professionally, cordially, and efficiently assist the students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field required.
Experience working with high school and/or college age students is necessary.
The candidate must have clear understanding of the needs of GEARUP qualified students and knowledge of college services including financial aid, degree completion activities and academic support programs.
Candidate must demonstrate ability to use independent judgment and also show organizational, communication and leadership skills.
Candidate must be skilled at delivering presentations to both small and large groups.
Successful candidate must provide a cellular telephone for work-related activities and be willing to travel.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in related discipline, as well as experience working with high school and/or college age students is preferred.
Candidates having a high degree of familiarity with GEARUP, knowledge of the regional college’s requirements, programs, and degrees are preferred.
A candidate who is familiar with the region where GEAR UP schools are located will be a plus.
Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Assist students with college preparation and career goals and options.
Work with parents, high school counselors and administrators to inform them of specific college requirements, financial planning, scholarships, and student support services.
Act as a resource for academic information, financial aid information and decision-making strategies once the student arrives on the campus.
Assist students from GEAR UP schools in the areas of identifying student support services that will aid in the transition to college.
Devote a majority of their time to the SWOSU campus helping first year students complete a successful first-year experience and return as sophomores as well as time spent working at Altus Public Schools and Clinton Public Schools to assist students with postsecondary plans.
Greet and assist students on their assigned campus when a college tour from one of our GEAR UP schools visit SWOSU.
Assist the OK GEAR UP Site Director in making sure Altus Public Schools and Clinton Public Schools Seniors have a completed FAFSA on file.
Assist SWOSU campus GEAR UP students when FAFSA help is needed.
Visit with all Altus High School and Clinton High School Seniors in a presentation setting at some point during the students’ Senior Year.
Complete all required OK GEAR UP training with OK GEAR UP Coaching Program and complete required data entry.
Answer to the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator regarding GEAR UP activities and report to the assigned SWOSU Supervisor regarding campus policies and procedures.
Attend meetings and trainings as required by their SWOSU supervisor and keep the SWOSU supervisor updated on activities, absences and off campus work.
Strive to foster good relationships on campus and assist in the overall positive work of the campus, which in turn assists GEAR UP in OKC.
Attend the monthly general staff meeting of OK GEAR UP in OKC.
Assist the OK GEAR UP Site Director in making sure OK Promise students at Altus and Clinton Schools complete their mandatory paperwork before the deadline during their senior year.
Support the Altus and Clinton Schools’ concurrently enrolled students and encourage post-secondary continuance of education.
Be on a team with Coaches from SEOSU, NSU, ECU, UCO and SWOSU.
Promote all Oklahoma Public Colleges.
Take part in required college coach training as provided by GEAR UP.
Promote personal safety, safety procedures and a safe work environment.
Assist in emergency situations as called upon.
Assist office personnel during peak periods.
Perform other work-related duties as called upon.
All tasks are to be performed in a manner that professionally, cordially, and efficiently assist the students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus.