Program Coordinator - Project Start/ACCESS Scholarship

About the Role

The Program Coordinator contributes to a team focused on enhancing the overall student experience through community, support, and access. This position assists students with setting and achieving their academic and employment goals by providing direct student support, leading key programs (Project Start, United Fire Group Scholarship, ACCESS Scholarships, and specialized grant programs), and building relationships with campus, K-12, and community stakeholders. Responsibilities include budgeting, program coordination, student outreach and engagement, staff support and development, and understanding community resources.

The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm with some evening and weekend hours required.

Responsibilities

• Provides ongoing follow-up with individual students using a case management approach focused on identifying strengths and resolving obstacles to students’ successful completion of academic and career programs.
• Assists students in the completion of academic, career, and employment programs through personalized support and referral to appropriate student services, academic support, and community resources.
• Provides support for programs administered in the Student Engagement and Support Office, including Project Start, United Fire Group Scholarship, ACCESS Scholarship, and specialized grant initiatives.
• Coordinates ongoing outreach, engagement, and relationship-building with ACCESS Scholarship recipients throughout their high school years to maintain student connection with Kirkwood and support preparation for postsecondary enrollment.
• Coordinates programming, campus engagement opportunities, and college readiness activities for ACCESS Scholarship recipients, collaborating with K-12 partners, families, campus departments, and community partners.
• Supports ACCESS Scholarship recipients approaching high school completion by connecting students with appropriate Kirkwood admissions, financial aid, academic, and student support resources.
• Maintains student participation, engagement, and program records for assigned scholarship and student support programs.
• Assesses program effectiveness and develops procedures for program improvement.
• Communicates and collaborates with the Kirkwood Foundation and Grants Department for budgeting, planning, and reporting for all assigned programs.
• Fosters and develops relationships with local social service agencies, K-12 partnerships, and campus partners.
• Performs other related work duties as assigned.

Performance Expectations

• Provide outstanding customer service and serve as a positive representative of the department and the Student Services division to improve student learning and success.
• Demonstrate a solid working knowledge of college student development theory, including the needs of diverse populations and student services in general.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community college philosophy, Kirkwood programs, policies and procedures, community agencies, resources and referral procedures, and other related issues.
• Demonstrate knowledge of college access, student transition, and student engagement practices that support students as they prepare for postsecondary education.
• Possess a knowledge of credit and non-credit academic programs.
• Communicate effectively through written, oral, and electronic means; possess functional knowledge of the Colleague student database, Titanium calendar, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other commonly used computer programs.
• Manage a diverse variety of work duties efficiently, effectively, and independently in an environment with regular interruptions.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, K-12 partners, community organizations, and college departments.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple programs, maintain accurate student and program records, and meet program reporting requirements.
• Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.

Physical Activities

Position involves working in an office setting with the following physical demands:

• Occasional (10-33%): Standing, pushing, pulling, and grasping.
• Frequent (34-66%): Reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work.
• Constant (67-100%): Sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking, and hearing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in higher education, social work, counseling, or related fields.
• At least two years’ experience in a higher education or social service agency setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs.
• A demonstrated ability to work as a member of a diverse team.
• A demonstrated ability to work with students with diverse needs and backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of community resources available for food, housing, health, and childcare.
• Experience managing grants.
• Experience working with students in an academic context (teaching, advising, etc.).

Universal Core Competencies

• Advocate for Continual Improvement: Empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability: Working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
• Champion Service: Anticipating needs and creating a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
• Perseverance: A commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
• Lead: Regardless of title, through positive influence.