Institution of Higher Education (IHE) GEAR UP Coordinator

Blue Ridge Community College•Brevard, NC

About The Position

The GEAR UP Coordinator is responsible for the College’s GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) program in Transylvania County. This part-time, grant-funded position carries programmatic, evaluation, and counseling responsibilities essential to fulfilling the academic obligations in the approved grant award. The Coordinator develops and maintains partnerships with higher education and school district personnel, collaborates on programming that supports postsecondary access and readiness, and helps develop a seven-year regional plan. The role implements student and family services, including summer enrichment, campus visits, career exploration and readiness, and higher education transition services. It also supports academic and STEM services aligned with higher education and grant goals. The Coordinator works with LEA coordinators and higher education staff to enter and review program data, monitor progress, identify service gaps, and provide regular updates. The role also maintains service and financial records, supports expenditure and reporting compliance, monitors cost-share and budget commitments, and communicates with the higher education GEAR UP Director regarding financial commitments and appropriate use of grant funding.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

Work experience with diverse pre-college and underrepresented student populations, diverse families, and community organizations.
Strong background in education or counseling.
Knowledge of educational and financial aid opportunities.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strategic partnerships with higher education staff, administrators, and faculty to support GEAR UP initiatives in partner school districts.
Collaborate with partner LEA staff to identify opportunities to increase higher education access and readiness and foster a college-going culture.
Coordinate with designated GEAR UP LEA Coordinators so student programming and support are comprehensive, coordinated, data-informed, and non-duplicative.
Support development of a seven-year plan to use GEAR UP to foster higher education access and success in the service region.
Participate in ongoing professional development about higher education access.
Maintain a relationship with Appalachian State University GEAR UP by attending meetings and communicating updates to higher education staff.
Collaborate with higher education and partner LEA staff to implement sustainable GEAR UP programming embedded in institutional operations and culture.
Ensure student and family services support postsecondary planning and preparation, with emphasis on populations traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education.
Support development of academic and STEM services aligned with higher education and grant goals.
Plan and implement summer enrichment opportunities on the higher education campus for partner LEA GEAR UP students.
Plan and implement campus visits for partner LEA students.
Plan and implement career exploration and readiness activities for GEAR UP students.
Develop and provide higher education readiness and transition services when applicable.
Develop supplemental activities that help students gain skills, knowledge, and access to reach postsecondary goals.
Work with LEA Coordinators to enter services in the GEAR UP database within 30 days and in accordance with applicable policies.
Review data with the higher education GEAR UP Director and LEA teams to monitor progress, identify gaps, and promote data-informed, research-based services.
Provide regular data updates to higher education staff and discuss alignment between GEAR UP and institutional goals.
Maintain service and financial records in accordance with federal, state, institutional, and GEAR UP policies.
Coordinate with higher education Finance and/or Grants compliance staff to ensure grant-related expenditures are allowable.
Work with higher education finance staff to submit quarterly reports and match submissions on time and with minimal error.
Monitor cost-share commitments and budget spending.
Communicate regularly with the higher education GEAR UP Director about financial commitments, match requirements, and appropriate use of GEAR UP funding.
Perform duties that may involve lifting, prolonged standing or sitting, bending, stooping, and operating or working with associated tools and machines.