Director of College Counseling - College Bound Initiative (CBI)

Student Leadership Network supports young people growing up in diverse underserved communities to gain access to educational opportunities that help prepare them to lead successful lives. In 1996, Student Leadership Network (SL Network) opened the United States’ first all-girls public school in 30 years – The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem. What started with one school has grown to a network of 36 public schools, including 13 all-girls schools nationwide, and has expanded to support college access and success in co-educational settings across the country. Over the last 25 years, SL Network has impacted more than 44,000 students through three life-changing programs: The Young Women's Leadership Schools (TYWLS), CollegeBound Initiative (CBI), and Young Women's Leadership Network (YWLN). To learn more, visit www.student leadership network.org.

CBI is seeking a Director of College Counseling (DCC) for our school-based sites. The DCC will provide comprehensive services that include: early college and career awareness activities, personalized college application support to achieve best “fit” acceptances for students, guidance with the financial aid process to secure financial aid packages that make college success achievable, transition to college workshops and alumnae opportunities. The DCC guides students to overcome personal, cultural, and financial barriers to college success and works closely with principals and teachers to create a college-going culture that raises parent and student expectations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the college application and financial aid process for all graduating seniors while adhering to deadlines
• Network with college admissions professionals to improve school visibility and reputation leading to the active recruitment of our students by colleges and universities
• Execute CBI Standard Components, with fidelity, including classroom presentations, student workshops, parent meetings, college fairs, and college trips for each grade level
• Manage CBI college coach throughout the academic year including the summer implementation of the Bridge to College Program
• Support the school’s administration, staff, and faculty to implement early college and career awareness that provides each grade level with appropriate college guidance and learning via a distributed counseling model
• Support SL Network’s educational programming at TYWLS in collaboration with the Girl’s Education and Development team (e.g. Jumpstart to College, Cool Women/Hot Jobs career days, etc.)
• Plan student activities and workshops to maximize educational impact and collaborate with teachers to create curricular pieces for school use pre- and post-events to enhance student learning (e.g. Senior Retreat, Bridge Programs for incoming 6th and 9th graders, etc.).
• Prepare for and assist with tours and visits from a variety of stakeholders and high-level donors who request information about our schools and/or CBI. Support student recruitment for maximum participation in partner college and other third party enrichment programs
• Manage Naviance database to ensure accurate and timely recording keeping of all standard program components

Key Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Submit proof of COVID 19 Vaccination as mandated by NYC Department of Education
• BA/S required and Master’s a plus in Education, Youth Services, Social Work or related fields.
• Three years of experience in college access, secondary education, or an educational non-profit required.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience with college admissions/counseling at the secondary school or collegiate level
• Strong strategic thinking and program management skills
• Ability to produce significant and sustained programmatic results and improvements
• Ability to perform simple to complex data analyses
• Experience with understanding NYC public school culture
• Experience working with low-income student populations
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate one-to-one, in small groups, and in public speaking contexts
• Strong computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google G-Suite applications
• Ability to interact well with a high-performing, mission-driven SL Network/CBI staff.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with the high school’s administration, faculty, and staff.
• Willingness to travel and host evening events, periodically.

Personal Commitment:

• Understanding and commitment towards the mission of the program, with determined delivery of service.
• Experience working with New York City students from diverse socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of barriers faced by low income, first generation, college bound students.
• Entrepreneurial, creative, and ambitious, with a love for both creating new programs and realizing the full potential for existing efforts.