Careers

General Summary: 

The UMass Boston (UMB) Early College Initiative is a core commitment of the university’s vision and mission in service of developing reciprocal community- based partnerships, expanding access to higher education for historically and currently underserved students, and advancing equitable student outcomes. The Early College program partners with high schools to co-construct a pathway for Boston Public School students to and through college that engage students in culturally sustaining curriculum, exposes them to academic and career opportunities, and accelerates progress towards baccalaureate degree and fulfilling careers. The Early College program also features holistic integrated student support services and improved curriculum alignment between UMB and its partnering high schools. Early College lowers the cost of college and reduces barriers to enrollment and completion, ultimately supporting students to experience increased levels of success in college and beyond.

The Academic Success Coordinator works with Early College students, potential and enrolled, using asset-based educational, cultural, and linguistic frameworks, to provide support to students from their initial transition to the program, through graduation. The Academic Success Coordinator will also provide support to Early College graduates who transition and enroll at UMass Boston, and will ensure high-quality, comprehensive advising sessions through educational approaches that promote equity, transformational practice, and academic literacies to guarantee the successful retention of the students served. Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, working with a specific caseload of students to assist them in navigating academic and non-academic issues as well as coordinating the implementation of coaching services within Early College partner schools and on the UMass Boston campus. The Academic Success Coordinator will work closely with the Director of Advising and Student Engagement and the Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships to develop holistic supports and curriculum for participants and evaluate the success of the program towards the goal of continuous improvement.

Examples of Duties: 

• Coordinate with Early College Academic Success Coach(es) to design, implement, and refine individualized and group-based coaching services and interventions grounded in student experiences, strengths, and needs, with attention to equity, access, and inclusive student support practices.
• Lead the scheduling, development, and facilitation of engaging, student-centered workshops and other academic programs, including learning communities and community-building events, to enhance the knowledge that will help students build college success skills and navigate academic requirements such as: time management, student success strategies, financial literacy, etc., in collaboration with campus partners and Early College stakeholders.
• Work with students in the Pathways and Student Success Programs department, including Early College, Student Support Services, the English Language Program, the Pathway program, and Directions for Student Potential, during summer programming and other critical points throughout the academic year.
• Assist students in adapting to the college environment, including navigating campus resources, understanding college culture and navigating social transitions through structured training sessions.
• Teach up to four one-credit university literacy courses during the academic year (including summer). Teaching responsibilities will primarily be for Early College courses but may fall under any of the Pathways and Student Success Programs during the summer if Early College programming is not being offered.

Data Analysis, Compliance, and Assessment

• Work closely with the Early College Senior Director and Associate Director to analyze qualitative and quantitative student data related to persistence, retention, engagement, satisfaction, and completion to make informed recommendations for new or modified programs and services and to evaluate the effectiveness of coaching services, workshops, and events. Use assessment findings to inform program expansion, resource allocation, and continuous improvement of Early College support services.
• Ensure proper and effective use of university systems and applications (Salesforce, PeopleSoft, Student Access, etc.) to maintain accurate and up-to-date student records.
• Maintain consistency and compliance within ADA, FERPA, and other state, federal or university and departmental guidelines.
• Participate in assessment efforts, including the development of progress benchmarks.

Student Recruitment and Program Representation

• In conjunction with the Associate Director, present in-person and virtually to prospective Early College students, families, partner school staff and community stakeholders, i.e. open house, career day, campus visitation day, new student orientation, information session.
• Interact with other members of the university community to promote Early College.
• Represent the department on university committees, such as Pathways and Multilingual Programs meetings and Advising Collaborative monthly meetings.
• Work with Senior Director and associate directors to deliver trainings, workshops, and lectures, for example, at professional development for Early College instructors and partner staff.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 1-3 years in higher education setting or similar setting involving teaching, counseling and /or academic advising required; Master’s Degree in Counseling, Higher Education or Human Development or a related field preferred.
• Knowledge of trends and issues facing low-income, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, undocumented/DACA.
• Proven ability to work with diverse populations in required: experience working with multilingual, first-generation, low-income, students with disabilities and undocumented/DACA students from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.
• Strong commitment to student success, multiculturalism, multilingualism, and equitable student outcomes.
• Strong knowledge base of effective advising and career coaching principles.
• Knowledge of MassTransfer preferred.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure, in a team capacity and independently.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and aptitude to learn in-house platform technologies required; experience with PeopleSoft software referred.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends, required.
• Experience speaking and writing in one or more languages other than English, preferred.

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 30             

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.