Immediately Need GEAR UP College Advisor in Utah
Posted 2025-03-14Job title: GEAR UP College Advisor
Company: Utah State University
Job description: Overview
Utah State University?s STARS GEAR UP program is hiring a College Advisor (Program Coordinator II) to support college freshman and high school seniors as they transition from high school to college. As part of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP), the program provides academic preparation services to students and their families in partner school districts serving low-income communities. This will be 100% FTE one-year positions with the opportunity to be extended for future years. This position is telework eligible within the state of Utah.
The GEAR UP College Advisor will act as a mentor to oversee first-year college students associated with the GEAR UP program. The College Advisor will regularly meet with students, and at times parents, to discuss college going strategies, help with class and major selection, answer questions about financial aid and scholarships, and assist with the transition from high school to college. Additionally, the Coordinator may meet with faculty, staff, and other GEAR UP officials to develop workshops, student events, rigorous educational opportunities, and connect students to the resources necessary for them to succeed in higher education. This role will work to create professional partnerships with higher educational institutions throughout Utah in order to help GEAR UP reach grant goals and objectives.
The College Advisor will also provide college preparation opportunities for GEAR UP high school students, supporting partner schools in their region directly. Activities include providing career and college exploration advising, assisting with scholarships and FAFSA, facilitating campus visits, and building a presence as a familiar face at the schools.
The Salt Lake College Advisor will be responsible for working with USU STARS GEAR UP students at Salt Lake colleges (U of U, SLCC, Westminster, UVU, BYU), as well as those who attend Great Basin College and Uintah Basin Technical College. Travel will be required to meet with students at each of the campuses and be available for workshops and help with campus events.
The Salt Lake College Advisor will work closely with both the Northern and Southern Utah College Advisors on programmatic planning to meet GEAR UP goals and objectives.
Employment is contingent upon a successful background check and availability of funding from federal sponsor.
Responsibilities
- Meet with GEAR UP college students face-to-face to discuss updated GEAR UP information, personal well-being at school (i.e - discouraged, homesick, frustrations, etc.), grade checks, school information (i.e-Financial Aid, career assessments, upcoming activities, school clubs, tutoring options [via Princeton online tutoring program and school implemented tutoring resources], registration, etc.), game plans for improvement, and any other help needed.
- Record each visit with individual students tracking progress, grades, mental/emotional needs, completing data entry and any follow up with other GEAR UP support staff as necessary.
- Help track down students who have transferred or decided to attend a campus different than the one we have on file.
- Email, text and/or call students to provide additional insightful information in helping them succeed at their given college/university.
- Maintain your student list in the texting platform SignalVine.
- Regularly schedule informative or helpful mass texts, as well as personalized texting to support students in their day to day college experience.
- Collaborate with college/universities to be a part of their opening and ongoing activities for incoming freshman. Identify and share support services and resources to which freshman have access.
- Create and maintain a positive relationship with each college and university.
- Develop and facilitate events and workshops for GEAR UP students teaching SEL and life skills that will help the students succeed.
- Data Tracking - Keep records on each student and upload to SCRIBE database in a timely fashion - Weekly, monthly and end of Semester.
- Maintain relationship with GEAR UP main office and other College Advisors to share success and lessons learned and collaborate on events, curriculum development, and strategies to meet GEAR UP goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor?s Degree in Education, Counseling, or closely related field; plus two years of Experience working with high school or college freshmen students
- Master?s degree in Education, Counseling, or closely related field
- Data entry and analysis
- Experience with college Financial Aid and student services administration
- Proficiency in event planning and facilitation
- Experience with GEAR UP or similar federal grants/student service programs
- Ability to prioritize own work, take initiative and multi-task, taking ownership of a project with little oversight.
- Excellent organizational skills allowing to manage multiple meetings, plan and facilitate workshops and events, and collect and input data.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions.
- Knowledge of computers and database/spreadsheet/word processing software.
- Ability to interact with students, faculty, staff, and/or the public in a professional team environment. Ability to demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues, supervisors, and customers.
- Ability to gather, input, and analyze statistical data and generate reports.
- Project specific knowledge, skills, and abilities as described in recruitment notices.
- Ability to exercise a high level of creativity, decision making, problem solving, and discretion as work is varied and may be undefined.
Along with the online application, please attach: * Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under ?Resume/CV?
- Cover letter to be typed/pasted into at text box at the end of the application
Advertised Salary
Minimum $45,000 commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits
ADA
Employee may work in an office environment where they are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes. However, in certain instances employee may work outdoors and may not be protected from weather conditions. Employee nearly continuously listen, hear, and talk.
College/Department Highlights
Department Highlights
The School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) has an established tradition of land-grant outreach, delivering quality teacher education to preservice and inservice teachers and school leaders. TEAL offers an array of baccalaureate and graduate degrees, including a distance-delivered doctorate, within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. TEAL provides outreach programs within the University's Statewide Campuses system.
College Highlights
The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is home to eight departments and is committed to providing the best learning opportunities and educational research in the state of Utah. Our programs are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. The college offers clinical services to the community across the human lifespan and provides students with real-world service and research opportunities.
University Highlights
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah?s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.
As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.
Utah State is committed to cultivating a where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. about USU.
The university provides a to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university?s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or .
About the Region
U.S. News and World Report for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU?s main campus, , is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area in the Milken Institute?s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation.
*updated 7/2023
Notice of Non-discrimination
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU?s non-discrimination policies:
Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, , Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266
Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, , Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266
Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit , or contact:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481,
*updated 09/2023
Expected salary:
Location: Utah