UT GEAR UP Mindset College Ready Site Coordinator (Aldine ISD)-5

University of Texas at Austin • Houston, TX

11d • $55,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The UT GEAR UP Mindset College Ready (MCR) Site Coordinator helps cohort students pursue college enrollment by working alongside middle and high school staff. The coordinator provides academic and college-knowledge counseling, mentoring, and assistance with college admissions, financial aid, and scholarship applications. The position also plans and supports school-level college awareness activities to advance UT GEAR UP MCR objectives and goals. The coordinator is based regionally in Houston, Texas, and provides direct support to students, families, and educators at an Aldine ISD high school.

The role requires tact, diplomacy, commitment to service, creative and effective collaboration, and strong organizational and communication skills. The position is expected to continue through August 31, 2027. The university describes a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, and other programs and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, child development, education, public administration, or a related field; relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• Strong ability to communicate verbally and in writing with students, parents, and school staff.
• Ability to collaborate creatively and effectively, solve problems, and work toward goals.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, including careful listening and persuasive writing and speaking.
• Tact, diplomacy, and a strong commitment to service.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• In-depth knowledge of Texas secondary education requirements.
• Knowledge of postsecondary education options, application procedures, and admission requirements.
• Knowledge of financial aid and scholarship opportunities and FAFSA application processes.
• Bilingual/bicultural Spanish fluency or knowledge; strong preference stated.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic enrichment, informational, and motivational opportunities and interventions—including mentoring, tutoring, and advising before, during, and after school—for GEAR UP cohort students, including at-risk, LEP, and special education students.
• Monitor cohort students’ grades, attendance, and transcripts to support on-time promotion and graduation and completion of rigorous coursework.
• Assess students’ academic and personal needs using transcript evaluations, interviews, and counselor recommendations.
• Work with school site teams to develop and implement individualized service plans and monitor students’ progress toward graduation and college readiness.
• Maintain student files and records of academic and advisement progress and program participation using the grant-sanctioned data system and a caseload management approach.
• Supplement school efforts to help students meet STAAR and EOC passing standards and PSAT, SAT, ACT, or TSI criteria.
• Coordinate students’ access to qualified school- or district-level counselors and use grant resources to connect students with partner-provided academic and non-academic services.
• Organize student assemblies, pep rallies, family nights, and other activities that encourage students and families to consider, plan for, and apply to college.
• Visit classrooms, assemblies, and club meetings to offer GEAR UP services and emphasize the importance of college.
• Partner with local community organizations and service providers to offer events outside school settings and hours.
• Recognize and celebrate student success and motivate cohort students to improve their school performance.
• Provide one-on-one college admissions and financial-aid guidance to cohort students and families, encourage consideration of a broad range of appropriate colleges, create college timelines, assist with applications, and help interpret college admissions and financial-aid correspondence.
• Submit in-kind match and other grant documentation when requested and help district personnel identify match opportunities.
• Recruit, train, and lead cohort students and hourly employees, tutor/mentors, program assistants, college coaches, volunteers, and parent helpers; assign work schedules for student and hourly staff and volunteers.
• Perform administrative duties supporting the grant, including collecting volunteer and donation forms; maintain files of grant activities, correspondence, reports, procedures, and presentations; and develop outreach materials such as newsletters and social media sites.
• Establish productive relationships with principals, counselors, and teachers at assigned schools; assess school needs with the Project Director and school personnel; seek principals’ advice; and help establish vertical teams to support students’ transitions from middle school to high school and college.
• Coordinate events and services with other UT GEAR UP Site Coordinators, visit other district and cohort schools, and help organize, support, and attend evening and weekend events.
• Collect, enter, and interpret progress and outcome data; submit monthly progress reports to the Project Director; meet with external evaluators as appropriate; and represent UT GEAR UP MCR to potential supporters and other interested parties when requested.
• Participate in two weeks of summer training on the UT Austin campus and pursue other professional-development opportunities in consultation with the Project Director.

Benefits

• Health insurance, with premiums covered 100% for full-time benefits-eligible employees.
• Retirement plans.
• Paid leave.
• Other employee programs and services.

What This Job Offers

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