College Persistence Advisor

Description

 Company Overview

KIPP Memphis Public Schools is part of KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program), a national network of tuition-free, open-enrollment, public schools that are successful in helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, character, and habits needed to succeed in college and the competitive world beyond. There are currently 275 KIPP schools across the nation serving nearly 120,000 students. Founded in 2002, KIPP Memphis serves over 1,200 K-12 students in our three North Memphis schools and almost 900 alumni on their journeys to-and-through college with our KIPP Forward Program.

As a leader in providing high quality education for students who need us most, the KIPP Memphis team and family serves as a model of excellence and collaborates with other community organizations to raise the overall quality of education in Memphis. The mission of KIPP Memphis is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Job Description  

The College Persistence Advisor is a year-round position on the KIPP Forward team. The Persistence Advisor works with KIPP Memphis Alumni as they pursue various post-secondary pathways, with a focus on college completion. The Persistence Advisor will serve as the primary point of contact for a targeted caseload pursuing their Associates or Bachelor’s degrees. In addition, the Persistence Advisor provides retention and transfer support to alumni who are enrolled in community college and technical/vocational schools. The College Persistence Advisor must be willing to travel in and out of state regularly to visit caseloads at colleges across the country. By pursuing strong relationships with students, the Persistence Advisor seeks to help students make it through to college graduation.

Persistence Advisors report to the Director of KIPP Forward. This is a year round position based out of KIPP Memphis Regional Office.

Primary Responsibilities

Alumni Support and Advising (75%)

· Manage a caseload of KIPP Alumni enrolled in two- and four-year colleges, providing advising services focused on college persistence and completion, career readiness, academic and social integration, resource and campus navigation, and transfer options

· Establish initiatives to promote college persistence via matriculation workshops, summer programs, life skills and networking opportunities, and connecting student to other resources available at post-secondary institutions

· Build positive relationship with students to serve as a person of impact and influence throughout their college journey

· Complete pre-college benchmark surveys for all seniors, and college benchmarks for all targeted caseloads within three weeks after the start of new academic year and Winter/Spring semester

· Develop intervention plans and action steps for at-risk students

· Communicate FAFSA deadlines and conduct semester financial pulse checks for students

· Maintain comprehensive knowledge of and financial policies and procedures

· Maintain knowledge of transfer policies and requirements 

· Plan and execute programming around preventing summer melt

· Research and promote student’s involvement in internship opportunities 

· Schedule weekly and monthly visits to college students in and out of state (overnight travel, required)

· Plan and Teach sessions for KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School students during College Success Classes, workshops, or pull out sessions

· Maintain schedule of regular outreach to students on caseload via phone, text, email, and in-person communication

· Plan at least two (2) educational or celebratory events each semester for college students

Stakeholders Relations  (10%)

· Maintain contacts at local colleges and universities in effort to provide support for alumni  

· Attend orientations, college tours and other student functions

· Be a resources and liaison to both students and campus colleagues to assist in minimizing potential obstacles which may impede degree progress

· Adhere to the FERPA guidelines 

· Advocate for caseload with outside stakeholders, including college offices, IRS, etc.

· Link students to other KIPPsters nationally attending or matriculating to their college 

· Participate in KIPP Foundation professional development opportunities, including webinars and learning cohorts

Research and Data (15%)

· Research and stay current on higher education programs, trends, and issues that impact students