Alumni Advisor (Full-Time)
Job Description
Date Modified: November 15, 2021
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Reports To: Director of College Guidance & Alumni Advising
Overview:
Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep is a Catholic, college preparatory school for students from households of low to moderate income. Cristo Rey Dallas nurtures and challenges young women and men of all faiths to recognize and realize their full potential as they grow to love God, respect others and serve their community. Each student participates in the Corporate Work Study Program which offers a weekly work study experience for all four years.
Anticipated Start Date:
– January 3, 2022
Purpose:
The Alumni Advisor plays an essential role in ensuring all Cristo Rey Dallas students are on track to enroll in college and complete their degree. The position requires an extraordinary commitment to serving diverse students of limited economic means – most of whom will be the first in their family to pursue a degree – through the implementation of a comprehensive, alumni advising program. The position requires extensive experience with college admissions, matriculation, and financial aid processes, a strong sense of low–income students’ and family needs in preparing for college, and the ability to manage key relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. In addition, candidates should be prepared to work closely with Salesforce and integrate it into the workflow of their caseload management.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Serve as principal advisor and thought leader on best practices in college matriculation, persistence, and completion
- Set vision for alumni programming, including:
- Conducting visits to college where students are enrolled
- Assisting students through college matriculation, course sequencing, financial aid, and transfer processes as needed
- Planning and leading workshops for alumni and key stakeholders (parents, administrators, ) on topics related to college matriculation and persistence processes
- Design and teach College Readiness and Alumni Advising classes that support the college counseling process and the transition to college success and persistence
- Identifying and working with struggling students to assess their needs and recommend individualized resources and solutions
- Ensuring students take advantage of special opportunities made available to low-income college enrollees (e.g., emergency funding, travel grants, etc.)
- Communicating with alumni via telephone, text, email, videoconference, and social media platforms, leveraging Salesforce to maximize efficiency of tracking information
- Creating and sharing resources for students that promote college success, career readiness, and job placement
- Coordinating multiple events per year for alumni to build community and access programming
- Working closely with students enrolled in two-year colleges to ensure degree completion and support a successful transition into a four-year program
- Develop collaborative partnerships with colleges alumni attend, creating capacity to link students to college/university resources that support their successful enrollment and retention
- Collaborate closely with the College Counseling team to support seniors in making their college selection, learn about the alumni program prior to graduation, and identify key trends in enrollment and completion data
- Develop college enrollment, persistence, and completion reports to track and communicate latest trends and progress to developed school goals
- Build and celebrate a school–wide college–going culture for 9th-12th grades (e.g. publicly posting college graduations, hosting alumni panels, connecting prospective applicants to alumni in college, and promoting Cristo Rey Alumni Association, )
Additional Responsibilities:
- Represent your school at local, state, and national college admissions conferences, fairs, and/or tours to help strengthen regional partnerships and college persistence expertise
- Participate in professional development opportunities offered by local college access organizations (i.e. Association of College Admissions Counselors) and Cristo Rey national office
- Connect with other alumni advising programs at Cristo Rey Network schools
- Collaborates Directly with Students, Parents, Faculty, College Counselor(s), and College Representatives
Qualifications and Skills:
- Bachelor’s Degree required; Masters preferred
- At least 3 years of experience in college or high school advising with students from households of low to moderate income, racially diverse students and their families
- Strong understanding of the academic, financial, and social barriers to college access persistence for underrepresented, first-generation students
- Highly collaborative, autonomous, and dynamic leader with the ability to manage a large number of professional relationships with a variety of stakeholders
- Relentless focus on results, high level of accountability, self-starter, and willingness to do “whatever it takes,” including flexibility around scheduling, travel, and ability to work some evening hours and or travel to assigned colleges
- Knowledge of social media platforms, event planning, and database management a plus
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Cristo Rey Network and model
- Ability to thrive in a fast–paced, entrepreneurial school environment
- A belief that all students can succeed in college and careers
Compensation:
- Full-time, year-round position with competitive salary, benefits, and paid
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
- Regularly interact with students, parents, staff and
- Work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of
- Extensive travel
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: Cristo Rey Dallas Careers careers@cristoreydallas.org
