TRIO Educational Talent Search Advisor

About the role

TRIO Talent Search Advisors partner with campus and community colleagues to identify and assist first-generation, income-eligible students in grades 6 through 12 who attend local middle schools and high schools and want to continue their post-secondary education. The program provides academic, career, and financial aid counseling to participants. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.

Responsibilities

• Identify and recruit eligible students.
• Plan, organize, and execute activities, programs, and direct student services for middle and high school students in partnership with school divisions, including test preparation, goal setting, and related skills.
• Provide direct student services for middle and high school students and students who have dropped out of school or not applied to post-secondary institutions, including test preparation, goal setting, and related skills.
• Execute activities, programs, and services designed for transition to postsecondary enrollment in partnership with the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid, and other university departments.
• Execute activities, programs, and services designed for college degree attainment in partnership with faculty, administrators, and university advisors.
• Provide case management, academic support, curriculum development, and advising services for students related to admissions and financial aid.
• Assist the project director with the development of promotional materials, educational materials, training manuals, newsletters, and/or brochures as appropriate to the program.
• Assist the project director with efficient and effective data collection and management to inform continuous program improvement; maintain accurate program/project records.
• Participate in staff meetings, unit meetings, and target school meetings.
• Assist the TRIO Director with hiring and onboarding of student staff.
• Attend professional development workshops and conferences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social science, or related field.
• Familiarity with online resources for college admissions, FAFSA, scholarship applications, and career planning.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to the needs of economically and educationally disadvantaged youth, and an ability to establish rapport with low-income, first-generation college students and their parents.

Position involves frequent travel within Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Must pass a criminal background check to work in schools.