Title: Engage@EMU College Readiness Coach Graduate Assistant

Employee Classification: GS

Pay Grade: GS 00

Division: Academic and Student Affairs

Subdivision: Engage@EMU

Department: Engage@EMU

Campus Location: Main Campus

General Summary

Engage@EMU, which cultivates and creates community and university initiatives, oversees the College Coaching Corps in partnership with MCAN (Michigan College Access Network), and Washtenaw Futures (the Local College Access Network).

This College Coaching Corps program hosts one full-time graduate assistantship (20 hours a week) to serve as a success & post-secondary access coach at Early College Alliance (ECA) located on the campus of Eastern Michigan University in Washtenaw County.

ECA's Vision, Mission, & Values: The vision of the ECA is to bridge the gap between high school and college, enhancing life outcomes while fostering a democratic society. The mission of the ECA is to empower high school students from diverse backgrounds to earn up to 60 university credits towards a Bachelor's Degree. The values of the ECA are Social Justice, Strong & Supportive Relationships, Diversity, Growth Mindset, & Individualized Educational Pathways.

Coach will commit to a term of service beginning in late August 2025 through the end of winter term in May, 2026. Additional on-campus trainings and meetings throughout the year are required.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Overall Goal of the College Readiness Coach: The goal is to increase retention and success in the ECA program for students at risk of attrition. Typically, students at most risk of leaving the ECA program are those with below-grade-level academic skills, significant social/emotional challenges, and/or lack of engagement in the college-going process. Students with these challenges may be in 9th , 10th , 11th , or 12th grades in the program.

Rationale: The transition from a prior schooling environment to the high-rigor ECA program can be challenging for students. Attrition is highest among students in their first year in the program, roughly double that of students in the 2nd year and higher. Students who are traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education tend to enter the ECA program with more academic risk factors, and tend to leave the program at higher rates. On the other hand, students who stay in the ECA program are highly likely to complete a post-secondary degree, with little-to-no disparities on the basis of race/ethnicity or other demographic factors.

Primary Tasks/Expectations/Deliverables: Working with administration, school counselors and teaching staff, the College Readiness coach will engage with students to support their development in the following areas:

• Attendance
• Soft Skills
• Academic Progress
• Resource Use

The Coach will participate in ECA staff meetings and professional learning as applicable, work directly with students during Applied Studies classes; serve as a mentor for individual or groups of students to offer support and encouragement; assist with and/or present during large-group events, such as CLICK or Student Leader events; support teacher and students in the classroom and/or with grading, materials prep, and data entry; facilitate small groups for social-emotional support, academic support, or engagement in recreational clubs/activities; monitor students in recreational activities; and design unique activities or experiences to help support students.

Key responsibilities may include: establishing relationships with all students and staff in order to better understand their barriers to success; devising individual plans to center around students with academic challenges and soft skill preparedness; supporting student persistence throughout the academic year; helping students develop soft skills and academic skills, facilitating Applied Studies classes, entering grades into PowerSchool and communicating on behalf of individual students with other staff and parents/guardians, and connecting students to proper resources if needed, such as school counselors, school social workers, or other school or community resources.

The College Readiness Coach is expected to work under the supervision of the ECA Administration and in partnership with the ECA staff, counselors, school social workers, the college advisor, building principal, and others related to student success.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Enrollment in an EMU master’s degree program in counseling (school or college), Social Work, education or higher education student affairs (HESA) or significant background and concentration in high school mentoring, academic tutoring and/or
  college access.
• Proven ability to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff including those from diverse backgrounds.
• Previous experience demonstrating strong leadership abilities, influencing others in a positive manner while achieving goals, and effectively communicating ideas and generating support for ideas.
• Ability to work independently and analytically, exercise discretion and good judgment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; proficient computer skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects; strong planning and organizational skills.
• Demonstrate program development and management experience.
• Willingness to handle complex and detail-oriented workload.
• Team-oriented towards program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• High energy, creativity, ability to assume responsibility; take initiative and develop new programs.
• Successfully pass background screening as required by the assigned school district, including fingerprinting.

Preferred Qualifications:

N/A

Special Instructions:

Please include Cover letter, resume and list of references with your application

Appointment Percentage:

100%