VISTA College Access Coordinator, Temple University

Posted by on April 09, 2012

Americorps VISTA Position:
College Access Coordinator

The VISTA member will play a key role in coordinating the Diamond College Access program through Temple University’s Community Learning Network (CLN).

The Diamond College Access provides several locations in North Philadelphia with college access tutors. Tutors at Benjamin Franklin High School and the Honickman Learning Center assist with subject tutoring, college and scholarship applications, senior projects, etc. AVID tutors will serve as classroom assistants in the AVID elective class in one of many Philadelphia District schools. All tutors present a window into college life for many students who will be the first in their families to pursue higher education.

The Coordinator will guide the program and coordinate with student volunteers and students from community-based learning courses. The Coordinator will design training materials, coordinate trainings and reflection sessions, and be the primary liaison with the program’s community partners, organizing frequent assessment meetings with partners, both individually and in groups. He or she will also seek funding opportunities for the Diamond College Access Program.

The College Access Coordinator will work alongside five student Americorps members, the Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania, who serve as lead tutors and volunteer recruiters for the program. S/he will not manage the Scholars in Service, but will help guide them to take over increasingly more of the volunteer management duties. The coordinator will work with Temple’s Office of Admissions to help design and implement college visits of the campus for participating students. He or she will be responsible for coordinating assessment and evaluation tools.

Duties will include:
Volunteer Management
– Match student schedules with tutoring time slots at partner schools/programs
– Maintain contact with partner schools/programs to monitor student attendance
– Design and implement training materials
– Coordinate reflection activities with tutors
– Assist PhillyGoes2College program with Saturday application and scholarship workshops
– Assist students in filing for clearances; Design clearances tutorial

Partner Liaison
– Convene assessment meetings with community partners
– Maintain ongoing conversation with Education in the Global City instructors
– Build strategic plan
– Research and explore relevant grants and other funding opportunities

Communication and Events:
– Maintain Facebook page
– Design tutor newsletter, every semester
– Design and distribute flyers and other promotional materials for student focused events
– Design and run Martin Luther King Day of Service
– Be the primary liaison to students for the Diamond College Access program, Community-based learning courses, and Community Learning Network activities
– Coordinate with Temple University Admissions Department, the Russell Conwell Center, and District high schools to organize and implement a recurring series of college visits for District high school students.

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have experience working with urban youth and a fundamental commitment to improving their understanding of and access to higher education. He or she should have experience in volunteer recruitment and coordination. He or she must have a strong professional sense, including the ability to address high level officials at the university and in city government. The preferred candidate should have experience in event management, grant writing, and strategic planning. Must be at least 18 years old. Must be available for start date/orientation: July 22- July 27.

Desired skills:
– Leadership
– Extremely organized
– Ability to manage several projects at once
– Strong written and oral communications
– Strong interpersonal skills
– Basic computing and graphic design

Compensation:
– Living Allowance: $12,192/year
– Education Award: $5,550
– Health Coverage
– Childcare assistance if eligible
– Relocation Allowance of up to $500.00
– Training and professional development opportunities throughout the year
– Transportation reimbursement

To Apply:
1. Send resume and cover letter to rachelhowe@temple.edu
2. Go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do to log in or create a new profile in My Americorps.