Program Associate

Requisition # 2026-21494

Date Posted 3 days ago(1/23/2026 3:57 PM)

Department: College Preparation Initiative

Category: Academic Administration

Job Type: Full-Time

Overview

Reporting to the Assistant Director of College Preparation Initiatives (CPI), the CPI Program Associate will be responsible for a range of critical aspects of various College Preparation Initiatives with the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access & Opportunity (EBCAO), with a focus on college access/college admissions advising, transition-to-college supports, and college scholar engagement with graduates of CPI programs including the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP), the Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) and the Lydia’s Scholars Program (LSP). The CPI Program Associate will also serve as a member of the PSJP administrative team and play an active role in program operations, recruiting and supporting students, and program development. Specific tasks may include developing and implementing co-curricular and academic programming focused on college admissions, personal development and the transition-to-college; advising a caseload of students through the college admissions process; tracking program completers and providing support to them through their college experience, supporting large and small-scale event and program logistics; leading workshops; and general office support.

Please note that this role requires regular evening and weekend work (schedule to be determined in collaboration with supervisor).

Responsibilities

College Scholar Support

• Engage and meet virtually with CPI College Scholars on all points of undergraduate student success including: registration and course sequence, financial aid renewal, campus housing security, wellness, internships/fellowships and career pathways
• Build effective relationships with college partners, financial aid, and other offices at CPI target institutions to advocate for students and assist them in reaching their higher education goals
• Strengthen and innovate existing programming for CPI program participants in college (College Scholars) and create systems to best communicate and engage with College Scholars
• Work alongside EBCAO colleagues on the development and delivery of workshops and training aimed at supporting CPI College Scholars in their career and professional development
• Track and report on CPI College Scholar persistence outcomes; use data to inform consultation and potential interventions
• Lead, under the supervision of the Associate Director, the annual “Transition to College” experience for CPI seniors and manage the summer “Ways of Knowing” blended (online/in person) summer course
• Maintain CPI College Scholar and Program Alumni data, including contact information, college trajectory, and early workforce details
• Manage CPI College Scholar and Program Alumni communications and networking via social media (including LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, etc.)
• Assist with research and special projects for evaluating college scholar metrics and pathways: enrollment, retention, graduation and career placement

PSJP Program Responsibilities: Recruitment, Operations, and Advising

• Lead outreach and marketing for PSJP, including social media and other online communications, under the direction of the Assistant Director
• Take an active role in the recruitment and selection of participants for PSJP, including operations
• Build and check reports to monitor application trends and completion and respond as appropriate
• Maintain data “hygiene”: organize and sort files throughout rounds and before and after application cycles; delete unnecessary files, materials and data as appropriate
• Take an active role in application development
• Serve as Residential Lead during the 10–day PSJP residential summer intensive
• Serve as Staff Lead for summer counselors during PSJP summer intensive
• Support all PSJP programming as a member of the PSJP Leadership Team

College Admissions Advising

• Under the direction of the Associate Director, provide small group and 1:1 college counseling sessions to 12th grade students in CPI programs; assist with college research, application preparation, essay writing, and scholarship and financial aid applications
• Draft letters of recommendation for assigned caseload of students in CPI senior cohort
• Staff two-to-three weekly college admissions sessions with program scholars (PUPP and LSP)
• Develop, revise, adapt “transition to college curriculum” for CPI college seniors
• Provide 1:1 and small group advising sessions to 11th grade PUPP scholars during the second semester, before senior-year course enrollment to prepare for college admissions, including goal-setting, senior schedule planning, and college application preparation
• Support the PSJP college advising process and PSJP counselors, taking an active role in college counseling
• Engage with CPI Summer Institute College Admissions course and related activities, college panels, tours, etc.

CPI Shared Tasks & EBCAO Engagement

• Support recruitment, and selection of participants for CPI programs including PUPP, PSJP, and LSP
• Participate as a member of the selection committee for CPI programs
• Assist with regular CPI program operations, including leading PUPP and LSP cohort meetings, chaperoning events and facilitating workshops for CPI programs, supporting CPI summer programming, and attending and participating fully in all CPI team meetings, attending and participating fully in all PSJP steering committee and counselor meetings and PSJP summer coordinator meetings as determined with Assistant Director
• Participate in campus/community events and programming related to college access and success for first generation and low-income students, including EBCAO-wide meetings, working groups events, and the Greater Trenton College Access Network (TCAN)
• Actively seek and participate in professional development opportunities including reading policy and research papers; participating in learning opportunities, conferences, workshops; networking with colleagues in the field; presenting at professional forums and conferences, as appropriate
• Engage in programming at the University related to fields of work, interest, and personal development
• Stay current on trends and changes in college access and success, college admissions and financial aid (FAFSA, CSS Profile, scholarships) and other post-secondary issues
• Other duties, as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 3+ years experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of the college admissions process, particularly as it functions for high-achieving, low-income and first generation students
• Experience working with students during and out-of-school to achieve selective college success and to manage wellness/social-emotional well-being
• Experience working with first generation students and/or students who come from families with limited experience with the American systems of higher education
• Advanced written and spoken (English) communication and administrative skills; excellent telephone manner
• Experience with Slate software, Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Google Suite and Google Classroom, design software, and related to school data management systems (PowerSchool, Genesis, Naviance, etc.)
• High degree of energy, empathy, self-motivation, and flexibility
• Strong communication, organizational and interpersonal skills, and the ability to engage effectively with undergraduates, graduate students, administrative staff, and university faculty
• Ability and comfort multitasking and adapting to a wide range of organizational needs
• Ability and desire to work as part of a complex team
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions based on established polices and procedures in supervisors' absence
• Ability to problem solve and offer creative solutions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in education, counseling, or related field
• Past participation in college access and success programs as a high school or college student
• Background in Higher Education, Counseling, College Access/Preparation, Urban Education, College Admissions Counseling or related field
• Experience with the college admissions process - either as a school counselor, college advisor, or admissions officer
• Demonstrated commitment to educational access and opportunity
• Advanced Spanish language skills - written and verbal

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.

Standard Weekly Hours 36.25

Eligible for Overtime No

Benefits Eligible Yes

Probationary Period 180 days

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail) No

Physical Capacity Exam Required No

Valid Driver’s License Required No

Experience Level Associate

Salary Range $80,000 to $92,000