Assistant Director of College Success, Bridges to a Brighter Future

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Job Title:

Assistant Director of College Success, Bridges to a Brighter Future

Job Family:

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full time

Compensation Grade:

5S

Pay Type:

Salary

Department:

Bridges to a Brighter Future

Job Summary:

The mission of Bridges to a Brighter Future at Furman University is “to transform the lives of students, whose potential outdistances their circumstances, by providing educational access and opportunity through a comprehensive program that builds self-confidence, resiliency, and leadership in order to break the cycle of poverty through post-secondary education.” Bridges at Furman provides academic support and engagement for our students to prepare them for current and future challenges and triumphs. We provide Bridges Student Scholars, their parents, and guardians with the knowledge, resources, guidance, and confidence to graduate from high school and to successfully plan to complete college, and enter the workplace equipped for success. In cooperation with Greenville County Schools, student programming includes a residential summer program, Bridges Foundations, during which our Student Scholars experience college life at Furman University with classes taught by seasoned professionals, college planning courses, and opportunities for college tours. The summer program also offers classes on health and well-being. Monthly Saturday College offers ongoing college preparatory experiences with speakers from universities and community organizations, and include college application programming, scholarship assistance, and career awareness opportunities. Each Student Scholar engages in one-to-one meetings at their high school with one of our staff on a rotating basis throughout the school year. College tours are planned during fall and spring breaks, and once in the summer.

Reporting to the Director of Bridges to a Brighter Future at Furman University, the Assistant Director of College Success provides leadership and daily management of the successful delivery of programming for Bridges Student Scholars to transition from high school to post-secondary success. The Assistant Director works in a team setting with the Director and the Assistant Director of High School Success, serving as support and collaborator in this team setting.

The Assistant Director of College Success takes the lead on year-round Crossing the Bridge programming. Crossing the Bridge is a college transition, retention, and success program for Bridges Student Scholars that includes direct assistance with the college application process, the financial aid process, intensive post-high school graduation summer programming, frequent and consistent contact for first-year college students, innovative support for all students while in college, and on-going career mentoring. The Assistant Director of College Success also maintains a database for alumni communications and reunions.

Job Description:

Responsibilities:

Manages all aspects of Crossing the Bridge year-round programming including concept, organization, implementation, budgeting, and evaluation for graduating high school seniors enrolling in college. 

Serves as Project Manager and primary contact for all students currently enrolled in college, creating a process for students to continuously improve in advocating for themselves in academic and vocational settings while looking out for and responding to impediments to the student’s success.

Serves as point person for post-secondary communications, keeping all Bridges graduates in the four most recent classes informed on vocational opportunities, changes in financial aid, wellness resources, and other opportunities for success.

Manages all aspects of and attends Spring and Fall Break College Trips, with support of Bridges staff and Bridges Coaches.

Develops healthy and helpful relationships with college admissions staff at all South Carolina Colleges and Universities, Full-Ride Universities, colleges and universities with robust first-generation programs, and other colleges and universities that interest students.

Works with the Assistant Director of High School Success to develop meaningful connections with current Bridges sophomores and juniors to allow for a smooth transition to college.

Works with Assistant Director of High School Success to coordinate the mentoring system for students as they enter Bridges in high school through their post-secondary academic experiences.

Works with Assistant Director of High School Success to support Saturday College and Summer Foundations Academic Program.

Works with Bridges staff to ensure the inclusion of parents and guardians in the student success.

Builds and maintains collaborative partnerships with school district counselors.

Refers general wellness counseling/mentoring and referral to other established support services on campus through Director of Bridges to a Brighter Future.

Serves on University committees as assigned.

Conducts professional development activities, with approval by supervisor, and maintains volunteer activities with a chosen professional association(s) as appropriate.

Completes performance review process with supervisor and employees to understand job performance expectations and how they fit into the department and University goals.

Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor in support of the goals and objectives of the department, the Division of Student Life, and the University. The intent of this job classification description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions in this classification and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically present in this description.

Relationships:

Daily contact with members of own work unit, immediate supervisor, students, and student workers to plan, coordinate, problem solve, present information related to mutual goals.

Frequent contact with other departments to coordinate present information related to mutual goals.

Frequent contact with college admissions counselors, Greenville County School District high school counselors, and mentors to plan, coordinate, problem solve, present information related to mutual goals.

Routinely handles confidential information.

Responsibility for Final Decisions:

Reviews work to ensure compliance with procedures and deadlines.

Work involves routine and non-routine situations and interpretation of data and information, and requires perspective, experience, and flexibility in the establishment of procedures, deadlines, and creative approaches.

Tasks involve multiple procedures with interrelated processes and steps. Work involves choosing the appropriate option or procedure to follow and applying established rules and procedures.

Reports To: Director of Bridges to a Brighter Future

Work is performed independently. Non-routine issues or questions are referred to the supervisor.

Education/Skill Requirements:

Master’s degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, Counseling or other related field preferred.

Minimum three years of experience in education, counseling, or social work.

Must have strong oral and written communication skills.

Must have exceptional organizational and leadership skills.

Strong attention to details.

Ability to make immediate decisions in stressful situations.

Ability to relate to and connect with teenagers living in uncertain circumstances, including home, food, transportation, and health insecurity.

Experience working with and advising students of diverse populations preferred.

Ability to manage emotionally challenging situations.

Exceptional self-directed work ethic and initiative.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Exceptional teamwork and consensus building skills.

Work Conditions:

Work is performed under usual office conditions.

                Some evening and weekend hours required.

                Some travel is required.

Education Requirements:

Certification Requirements:

Job Posting End Date (if date is blank, posting is open ended):