Mission:

The University of Michigan seeks to help more Michigan high school students pursue postsecondary education. Following the tradition of Teach for America and AmeriCorps programs, recent University of Michigan graduates will serve as advisers in selected public high schools across Michigan, particularly those that are located in traditionally underserved communities. Working alongside school professionals, MCAC advisers will identify, assist, and empower students to make the transition from high school to a postsecondary institution. Advisers work full time and focus on low-income, first generation students, mentoring these students through the increasingly complex and costly steps in postsecondary education. Advisers will provide students and their families with relevant information regarding the benefits of a postsecondary education, preparing for college / university attendance, and the admission and financial aid processes.

Commitment:

The advisers will commit to a term of service beginning early July 2017 through June 2018.  These appointments include a mandatory four-week residential training session on the U-M campus and one week at the National College Advising Corps training program outside of Michigan.  Advisers receive a $1,200 training stipend over the summer.  In an effort for the advisers to be fully enmeshed in the fabric of the local communities, advisers are expected to live in the community in which they are assigned.  Upon successful completion of the first school year commitment and at the discretion of the MCAC program, advisers may choose to commit to one additional school year of service to the MCAC.

Primary Responsibilities:

Interacting on a daily basis with high school students and/or parents in the assigned school to provide relevant information about the higher education experience and the college/university admission/financial aid process

• Encourage each student to consider a broad range of appropriate college choices
• Develop for each student a comprehensive college timeline, including application deadlines for admission and financial aid
• Help each student complete and submit admissions and financial-aid applications
• Assist each student in interpreting correspondence from colleges, including offers of admission and financial aid
• Provide information regarding high school course selection, test taking skills, and basic financial planning to help prepare for future education

Organize group events that encourage students and their families to consider, plan for, and apply to colleges and universities

• Visit classrooms, assemblies, and club meetings to offer MCAC services and emphasize the importance of college
• Visit feeder middle schools to encourage early planning for college, when time permits
• Collaborate with local community groups—LCANs, churches, boys and girls clubs, social-service providers—to offer events outside school setting and hours
• Host regular workshops for the families of students to discuss topics such as financial aid, college planning timeline, the importance of a postsecondary education, and opportunities available.

Establish productive working relationships with principals, counselors, and teachers in assigned high school

• Assess, in consultation with the MCAC program director and school personnel, the particular needs of assigned school, and adapt programs and activities to meet these needs
• Actively seek the advice and counsel of the on-site supervisor at assigned high school

Assist in the assessment and long-term sustainability of the program

• Assist the program director and evaluation staff to identify, collect, and interpret key progress and outcome variables to evaluate the effectiveness of the MCAC program
• Submit monthly data reports to the program director documenting progress and outcome data
• Represent MCAC, as requested by the program director, to potential supporters and to other interested parties

Maintain expertise in admissions and financial-aid advising   

• Participate fully in four weeks of residential training each summer on the U-M campus, one week with the National College Advising Corps, and periodic staff meetings/professional development sessions throughout the year
• In consultation with the program director, seek out and participate in other opportunities for professional development

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, with a graduation date no earlier than May 2016
• Proven ability to work effectively with youth including those from diverse backgrounds, as well as the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Previous experience demonstrating strong leadership abilities, the ability to influence others in a positive manner to achieve goals, and effectively communicating ideas and generating support for ideas are a must
• Ability to work independently and analytically, exercise discretion and good judgment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; proficient computer skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects; strong planning and organizational skills
• Demonstrate program development and management experience
• Willingness to handle complex and detail-oriented workload
• Team-oriented towards program design, implementation, and evaluation
• High energy, creativity, ability to assume responsibility; take initiative and develop new programs
• Successfully pass Federal and State background screening 

Please submit contact information for at least two references including name, address, phone, e-mail address, title, and relationship. References should be professional ie. former employers, student organization leadership, university advisers/staff, professors (work-related only), volunteer/community organization staff. If you have had any experience working with children or teens, we would prefer one of your references to have direct knowledge of your experience.

 

I hereby certify that I have provided true and accurate information on this application.  I understand that U-M staff and partner high school personnel, in considering me for this position, will review my application and supporting documents. I hereby authorize and consent to that review including the contacting of the references provided by me.