Upward Bound Program Advisor at Altoona High School

About the role

At Penn State, Upward Bound Altoona (UBA) is located within The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity. The Program Advisor (Student Advocacy Specialist) assists in organizing, developing, and implementing social, educational, and service‑learning programs/activities for Upward Bound participants, serves as the on‑site liaison with Altoona Area High School, and works to meet project objectives related to student progression, graduation, college matriculation, and postsecondary tracking.

Responsibilities

• Student recruitment and programming for grant‑determined school district population, parent/student events, and community stakeholders
• Advising, tutoring, or referring participants on high school course selection, college readiness, financial aid, health and wellness, career services, academic advising, student leadership, and diversity and inclusion
• Development and implementation of academic year and summer residential programming in compliance with federal grant guidelines
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with school districts, community partners, and campus and University‑wide offices
• Understand and articulate unit policies and federal grant guidelines in oral and written communication
• Assist non‑senior students to complete rigorous coursework and advance to the next grade level each year
• Assist senior students to graduate from high school on time
• Assist senior students to matriculate to postsecondary education for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation
• Track the postsecondary progress of students served for six years after high school graduation

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• No required certifications
• PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check
• Valid driver’s license and successful motor vehicle records check (position requires operating a motor vehicle)
• Authorization to work in the United States (Penn State does not sponsor employment visas)

Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with school district personnel to assist participants with scheduling high school