Program Assistant

Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart, dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students.

Job Summary:

The Program Assistant of Student Success at El Centro is primarily responsible for providing comprehensive academic guidance and support services. This role is essential in fostering student success by assisting students with course selection, major and minor exploration, career development, and financial aid. The Program Assistant will lead recruitment and retention initiatives, ensuring students have the resources needed to thrive academically. Additionally, this position will be cross-trained with Financial Aid, assisting students with FAFSA applications, scholarship opportunities, and financial aid guidance. This position will regularly interface with faculty, staff, administrators across the university. The Program Assistant will also play a key role in community outreach, organizing and facilitating high school visits and student success workshops. Other responsibilities include overseeing social media activities, including NEIU El Centro webpage, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts.

Job Description:

Academic Advising and Financial Aid Support 

• Provide individualized academic advising to students, assisting them in course selection, degree planning, and major/minor decisions.

• Guide students through the registration process and ensure they are on track for graduation.

• Offer career advising, helping students explore career paths and internship opportunities.

• Lead and implement recruitment and retention initiatives to support student success.

• Collaborate with faculty and staff to identify and support at-risk students.

• Organize and facilitate weekly student success workshops. 

• Cross-train with Financial Aid to assist students with FAFSA applications, scholarships, and financial aid resources.

• Provide financial literacy guidance and support students in understanding their financial aid options.

• Assist students in navigating financial aid policies and procedures.

Special Events & Recruitment

• Coordinate and organize high school visits to and from El Centro, including updating and delivering presentations.

• Develop agendas for high school visit days and collaborate with staff and student workers to ensure a welcoming experience.

• Provide guidance to prospective students on admissions and onboarding next steps.

• Assist with planning other special events such as open houses. 

• Serve as a liaison between high schools and El Centro to strengthen outreach and recruitment efforts.

Social Media & Website Management

• Manage and maintain El Centro’s social media presence across multiple platforms, including the El Centro website, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 

• Monitor social media interactions, respond to comments and inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

• Develop and implement new social media campaigns and projects to enhance El Centro’s visibility and engagement.

• Collaborate with internal departments such as Marketing to align messaging and promotional efforts with institutional goals.

Other duties as assigned 

• Assist with overall operations of El Centro.

• Share responsibilities with other coordinators for supervision of support staff and student workers. 

• Serve on university committees and task forces.

Minimal Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree.

2. Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position, may be required.

Additional education, training and/or work experience in the area of specialization:

Departmental Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, preferred.

• Prior experience in academic advising, student affairs, financial aid, or related higher education roles preferred.

• Strong English communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Some Spanish communication skills are preferred.

• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with diverse student populations.