Job Description

General Summary: 

The UMass Boston (UMB) Early College Initiative is a core commitment of the university’s vision and mission in service of developing reciprocal community-based partnerships, expanding access to higher education for historically and currently underserved students, and advancing equitable student outcomes. The Early College program partners with high schools to co-construct a pathway for Boston Public School students to and through college that engage students in culturally sustaining curriculum, exposes them to academic and career opportunities, and accelerates progress towards baccalaureate degree and fulfilling careers. The Early College program also features holistic integrated student support services and improved curriculum alignment between UMB and its partnering high schools. Early College lowers the cost of college and reduces barriers to enrollment and completion, ultimately supporting students to experience increased levels of success in college and beyond.

The Academic Success Coach works with Early College students, potential and enrolled, using asset-based educational, cultural, and linguistic frameworks, to provide support to students from their initial transition to the program, through graduation. The Academic Success Coach will also provide support to Early College graduates who transition and enroll at UMass Boston, and will ensure high-quality, comprehensive advising sessions through educational approaches that promote equity, transformational practice, and academic literacy to guarantee the successful retention of the students served. Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, working with a specific caseload of students to assist them in navigating academic and non-academic issues as well as connecting them to other appropriate resources and services on campus or at their high school. The Academic Success Coach will work closely with the Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships to develop holistic support and curriculum for participants and evaluate the success of the program towards the goal of continuous improvement.

Examples of Duties: 

Advising

• Advise a caseload of Pre-Collegiate Early College students (with fewer than 30 credits), individually and in groups.
• Assist EC students who will be taking non-cohorted classes in identifying courses for senior year.
• Counsel and support students experiencing academic or personal difficulties and work with students to develop an Academic Plan and support in tracking progress.
• Maintain up-to-date notes and records of each student meeting, including those related to tracking academic progress and outcomes using the advising case management tool.
• Offer socioemotional support for all students, referring students to the appropriate resources when personal and social issues arise.
• Working with both the UMB EC and high school staff, make recommendations or provide resources and referrals to various services, such as Ross Center for Disability Services, Tutoring, Financial Aid, Counseling and Mental Health Services.
• Work closely with other Pre-Collegiate Programs departments to transition students to college advising, Student Support Services and learning communities, to ensure that program participants who transitioned and are enrolled at UMass Boston have the necessary support to be academically successful.
• Liaise between the student and the university, working with other departments and offices to ensure student service functions are performed efficiently and consistently

Academic Coaching

• Work collaboratively with program staff and school partners to create and implement engaging, student- centered workshops and other academic programs to enhance the knowledge that will help students build college success skills and navigate academic requirements such as: time management, student success strategies, financial literacy, etc.
• Work with EC students (recent high school graduates) in completing their summer capstone project.
• Assist students in adapting to the college environment, including navigating campus resources, understanding college culture and navigating social transitions through structured training sessions.

Data Analysis, Compliance, and Assessment

• Work closely with the EC Senior Director and Associate Director to analyze qualitative and quantitative student data related to persistence, retention, engagement, satisfaction, and completion to make informed recommendations for new or modified programs and services.
• Maintain consistency and compliance within ADA, FERPA, and other state, federal or university and departmental guidelines.
• Participate in assessment efforts, including the development of progress benchmarks.

Student Recruitment and Program Representation

• In conjunction with the Associate Director, present in-person and virtually to prospective EC students, families, partner school staff and community stakeholders, i.e. open house, career day, campus visitation day, new student orientation, information session.
• Interact with other members of the university community to promote Early College.
• Represent the department on university committees, such as Pathways and Multilingual Programs meetings and Advising Collaborative monthly meetings.
• Work with Senior Director and associate directors to deliver trainings, workshops, and lectures, for example, at EC professional development for EC instructors and partner staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 1-3 years in higher education setting or similar setting involving teaching, counseling and /or academic advising required; Master’s Degree in Counseling, Higher Education or Human Development or a related field preferred.
• Knowledge of trends and issues facing low-income, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, undocumented/DACA.
• Proven ability to work with diverse populations in required: experience working with multilingual, first-generation, low-income, students with disabilities and undocumented/DACA students from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.
• Strong commitment to student success, multiculturalism, multilingualism, and equitable student outcomes.
• Strong knowledge base of effective advising and career coaching principles.
• Knowledge of MassTransfer preferred.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure, in a team capacity and independently.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and aptitude to learn in-house platform technologies required; experience with PeopleSoft software referred.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends, required.
• Experience speaking and writing in one or more languages other than English, preferred.

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade:30              

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of June 30 2026, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.Is this grant funded.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR@umb.eduor 617-287-5150.

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