SCOPE

South Bronx United Inc. (SBU) is a sports-based youth development organization that uses soccer as a tool for social change aiming to help youth build character, teamwork, and leadership so they can succeed in high school, college, careers, their community and beyond. SBU serves more than 1,900 young people annually through programming on the field and in the classroom, working to unite a diverse group of students, families, and the South Bronx community toward positive goals. SBU is driven to accomplish our mission and promote the SBU Values of Showing Commitment, Bringing Integrity, and Uniting our Community in all that we do.
South Bronx United seeks a passionate and dynamic educator to join our team as the full-time College Access Manager. This person will serve as a key staff member of the SBU Academy, a comprehensive and longitudinal program serving 200 youth annually, grades 6-12. The Academy program is guided by SBU’s Student-Athlete Pathway, a cohesive program design that outlines scaffolded, target outcomes for each grade level in academic skills, high school and college preparation, social emotional learning, and competitive soccer. The College Access Manager manages all programming and works individually with all 12th grade students and their families. The core responsibilities include curriculum implementation, individual college/academic advising, training and managing coach mentors and academic mentors, and managing partnerships and events that contribute to a positive student experience and promote high engagement.
South Bronx United has a track record of success in working with South Bronx youth. 100% of the high school seniors in the past ten years have graduated high school, and 94% have gone on to attend college. With guidance from SBU’s Director of Academic and Post-Secondary Programs, the College Access Manager will continue this ongoing success.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The College Access Coordinator should meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• At least two years of experience working with high school students in teaching, advisement, youth development, or program management.
• Experience with college advisement, college prep programs, and/or other post-secondary programs preferred.
• Knowledge of the New York state college application process and financial aid process, including family requirements.
• Knowledge of the NYC public school system and graduation requirements.
• Effective in multi-cultural and cross-cultural settings and understanding of individuals of all backgrounds.
• Excellent interpersonal, mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Independent, flexible, and adaptable to work in a variety of settings.
• Strong administrative, computer, and writing skills.
• Passionate for the mission of South Bronx United.
• Familiarity with the South Bronx community or other neighboring communities is preferred.
• Spanish and/or French proficiency is a plus.

The Coordinator’s responsibilities will include the following:

1. Develop and implement college prep curriculum to high school seniors.

• Implement program curriculum for 12th grade students that supports student-athletes in working toward four-year high school graduation and post-secondary success
• Create intentional and data-informed student groups and college prep mentor assignments for all academic sessions
• Collaborate with key staff to establish and maintain program procedures and policies
• Facilitate all summer academic programming sessions
• Manage on-site programming to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery of services - including classroom and behavior management

1. Individually counsel high school seniors through the college application, recruitment, selection, and enrollment processes.

• Collect, organize and evaluate necessary documents (tax returns, transcripts, etc.) to ensure 11th and 12th graders are prepared for the application process
• Assist seniors with creating a college list based on GPA and test requirements, academics, location, social and emotional mix and finances
• Support seniors in the completion of their Personal Statement through brainstorming, drafting, editing and feedback.
• Assist seniors in the completion of 6 CUNY, 7 SUNYs and private school applications.
• Assist seniors in completion of all applications for financial aid (FAFSA, TAP, DREAM), higher opportunity programs (HEOP/CD/SEEK), and any other supplemental applications.
• Help seniors research and apply for scholarships
• Review and advise students on final school decisions based on academic, social and location fit and financial aid awards.

1. Train and manage college prep academic mentors and coach-mentors:

• Collaborate with Academy staff to facilitate orientation and ongoing training for all volunteer academic/college prep mentors, education interns, and fellows
• Manage and support all academic mentors and education interns during academic programming
• Manage the dissemination of all lesson plans and materials to college prep mentors and interns in a timely manner
• Facilitate weekly meetings with the head coach-mentors of all high-school aged teams

1. Communicate with and advocate with internal and external collaborators to help students reach college.

• Hold individual parent kick off meetings to discuss academic standing, college application process, and collect all necessary documents.
• Conduct outreach to college representatives in support of applicants, including school admission personnel, financial aid representatives, and athletic coaches.
• Work with high school college counselors, teachers, and other school personnel to support participants.
• Communicate and support parents around key issues and challenges that impact first-generation college student achievement.