Director of College Programs

The Organization:

Destination: College (DC) is a 501c3 with the mission to facilitate college readiness for economically disadvantaged student athletes through mentoring and academic tutoring, assisting with all aspects of the college admissions and financial aid process, and supporting students towards the successful completion of college. Through our staff and network of local volunteers, DC currently provides academic support to high school students in the Mount Vernon City School District. Since its founding in 2006, DC has helped hundreds of low-income students gain acceptance to colleges best suited to their academic and financial needs.

Destination: College is led by our Executive Director who reports directly to the Chair of the Board of Directors, and is currently supported by two part-time staff members (Director of College Access and Director of College Success) and our team of dedicated volunteers.

The Opportunity:

Destination: College is looking to hire a Director of College Programs, a newly created full time position, which will manage the work of both the College Access and College Success programs. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position will be responsible for overseeing support and advisory to high school students throughout their college preparation, application and financial aid processes, and subsequently supporting their success when matriculated in college and through college graduation.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Administration:

• Work onsite at Mt Vernon High School’s College Center September-June, Monday-Thursdays, 10am-5pm. Fridays can be worked remotely. Some evenings and weekends may be required for DC fundraising events, annual alumni reunion, annual off-site organizational meetings, semi-annual Board Meetings, and school events when required
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director to develop and implement creative and impact-driven programming
• Collect, analyze and utilize program data for reporting, program improvement, and decision-making
• Report regularly to Executive Director on issues related to program implementation and evaluation

Program Management:

• Support approximately 50-75 high school seniors in the college application process including school selection, essay development, preparation and submission of applications including but not limited to The Common Application, interview preparation, the EOP/HEOP process, financial aid applications, scholarship identification, loan counseling, entrance forms and college campus visits
• Organize and conduct workshops and sessions for students and families around college planning, college selection, the college application and financial aid process, and college life
• Communicate and coordinate with high school guidance counselors when relevant
• Support students with successful college placement
• Coordinate 2-4 annual college campus visits for students including arranging for tours, meetings with EOP/HEOP coordinators, and any other logistics
• Communicate and provide support to college matriculated students including assistance with financial aid, transfers, and other support as relevant; this may include campus visits
• Organize and conduct an August “bootcamp” for rising college freshman
• Oversee volunteers in their work with students including volunteer training, supervision and support
• Maintain and update Grouptrail database and track college enrollment with National Student Clearinghouse

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work or Education or related degree a plus
• 2+ years professional experience with both the college application and financial aid processes
• A can-do, pro-active and collaborative approach to support student success, and a willingness and ability to work within the constraints of a small non-profit organization

Additional Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with financial aid forms such as FAFSA, TAP, CSS profile, EOP/HEOP
• Demonstrated experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation
• Familiarity with a diversity of public and private college/universities
• Demonstrated commitment, interest, and experience working with our target population (first generation, low-income, and students from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and meet multiple goals and deadlines
• Demonstrated experience managing programmatic details and individual student needs
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills