"Upward Bound Project Advisor"

POSITION SUMMARY

The TRIO Upward Bound (UB) Program at the Community College of Aurora is a federally funded TRIO program that provides academic support and college preparation services to sixty (60) participants from Aurora Central High School, ranging from 9th to 12th grade. The program is designed to help students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds develop the academic skills, motivation, and confidence needed to successfully complete high school and transition to postsecondary education.

Under the direction of the TRIO Upward Bound Director and in collaboration with the Concurrent Enrollment department, the Upward Bound Project Advisor will support the day-to-day operations of the program, including planning, implementing, and coordinating activities and services. The Advisor will work directly with students to promote academic achievement, personal growth, and college readiness. Key responsibilities include providing academic advising and support, individual and group counseling, and exposure to career and educational opportunities. The Advisor will also assist with developing and coordinating educational programming such as tutoring, Academic Saturday sessions, college and career exploration trips, and summer programs. Additional duties include maintaining accurate student data and records for institutional and federal reporting and collaborating with high school administrators and staff to identify and recruit eligible participants.

This position is grant funded and contingent on funding from the Federal Government. In the event that funding is pulled for this grant, we may need to terminate this assignment earlier than originally planned.

OVERVIEW OF CCA

The Community College of Aurora serves our diverse community by providing high-quality instruction and support services to prepare students for transfer and employment. We are particularly interested in applicants that demonstrate a commitment to working with individuals and groups from diverse identities, including but not limited to: socioeconomic, cultural, sexual orientation, gender identity expression, disability, multilingual learners, veterans, non-traditional, race and ethnic backgrounds.

We actively promote a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry. CCA enrolls 11,000 students annually, over 62% of whom are students of color, including nearly 32% Hispanic students, 65% of CCA students receive some type of financial aid, including 52% of whom receive Pell grants, and nearly two-thirds are first-generation college students.

More than 20 different languages and 60 countries are represented at CCA. In addition to traditional degree and certificate programs, CCA offers non-credit professional development courses, customized training, and economic and workforce development resources to employer partners and individual professionals seeking to enhance the capacity and productivity of their workforce or individual knowledge and skills. The college centers diversity, equity, and inclusion and we actively seek to employee partners who want to join us in working to reducing outcome gaps among our diverse student population.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide academic and student support services to TRIO UB participants:

• Responsible for advising Upward Bound participants with academic tutoring, career exploration, completion of college and financial aid applications, post-secondary selection and registration.
• Meet with students regularly to provide individual academic, career, transfer, and financial aid guidance to program participants.
• Conduct interviews, complete, and regularly update customized service plans for program participants.
• Provide proactive, need based and strategic outreach to students to connect them to college and community resources for additional support.
• Monitor students academic progress and provide success interventions as appropriate to support their persistence.
• Create and coordinate a tutoring program for Upward Bound Scholars
• Provide guidance for career planning and exploration through individual assessment and advising and through developing and offering group workshops.
• Provide guidance for financial literacy and financial aid/scholarship opportunities through individual advising and through developing and offering group workshops.

Lead post-secondary education preparation activities for program participants:

• Disseminate college and program informational materials to all UB participants.
• Coordinate student participation in college fairs/open houses, information sessions, campus visits, and workshops.
• Assist in making direct referrals to other TRIO or student support programs.
• Create and implement educational programs to assist students in preparation for a post-secondary education.

Student Record & Data Management:

• Maintain accurate and confidential student records.
• Document and record students' need for service, their academic need, and verification of their income, first generation status, and/or disability.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of students' need for service, case notes, student performance outcome, and data related to the Grant Objectives.
• Ensure guidelines regarding Upward Bound student eligibility are met.
• Evaluate and assess the Upward Bound Program.
• Prepare monthly and annual institutional and federal reports.
• Track statistics, gather data, and write reports.

Support to TRIO UB team, faculty, and staff:

• Meet quarterly with ACHS counselors, teachers and students regularly to monitor the implementation of Upward Bound academic initiatives.
• Develop a relationship with partner high schools (ACHS) administration and staff to effectively execute the provisions of the Upward Bound program.
• Assist in the management of daily operations of the Upward Bound Program.
• Plan and execute periodic parent and family engagement meetings and events.
• Assist in the development and implement an effective process for identification, recruitment, and retention of program participants.
• Recruit and communicate with 60 students the expectations and considerations of the Upward Bound Program.
• Assist with completing the Annual Performance Report.
• Provide ongoing training and information to CCA faculty and staff.
• Collaborate effectively with partner high schools administrators and staff regarding UB program activities, courses, and services.
• Understand and adhere to partner high schools and Community College of Aurora policies and procedures.

Co-Lead Upward Bound Summer Programming

• Coordinate and implement the Upward Bound summer component, including supervision of Tutor Mentors (summer staff).
• Co-lead summer programming for UB participants at Community College of Aurora (on-campus component) and off-site residential activities involving overnight travel.
• Plan and oversee enrichment, physical, and cultural activities such as field trips and special events, including managing travel logistics, hotel accommodations, and collection of participant paperwork with required approvals and signatures.
• Serve as the primary point of contact during all summer program activities and maintain clear, consistent communication with UB participants, parents/guardians, UB staff, and CCA personnel.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree with at least two (2) years of experience working in higher education, high schools, community-based organizations or closely related professional setting.
• Minimum of one (1) - two (2) years of experience with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs, community-based programs or similar programs for diverse, low-income, first-generation college students
• Experience working with students from underrepresented student populations (first generation, low-income, students with disabilities) including budgeting and planning.
• Professional or personal experience in overcoming barriers like those facing Project Participants
• Evening and weekend hours required.
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills, including experience making public presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to support and advance CCA's commitment to equity and inclusion.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters Degree
• Proficiency in Spanish (primarily verbal).
• Experience with grant writing
• Experience providing case management services and advising students with the college admissions and financial aid application process

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Salary Range: Anticipated starting salary is $51,732.85 annually. This salary is determined by the qualifications of the selected candidate balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information. CCA offers an excellent benefit plan, including generous leave, holiday, and education benefits. Full time employees immediately upon hire earn 15 hours a month annual leave and 10 hours a month sick leave.

Deadline to Submit Application Material: An initial review of applications will begin on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

Application Process: When submitting your online application, please include a cover letter, current resume, and professional references. Official transcripts showing the highest degree achieved should be submitted to HR@ccaurora.edu upon offer of employment. If you have questions regarding this position, please contact us at HR@ccaurora.edu.

By applying for this announced position, applicants are certifying that all statements, information and documents provided are true, complete and correct to the best of their knowledge and are made in good faith. Further, applicants understand that omissions, misleading, false or untrue information, or any attempt at fraud or deceit in any manner connected with this application and/or subsequent testing may result in them not being considered for jobs with the Community College of Aurora; may constitute grounds for discipline and/or termination after hire; and/or constitute grounds for further actions pursuant to law.

Application Checklist

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

• A complete online application
• A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position
• A current resume uploaded as an attachment to your online application
• Candidates identified as finalists must provide three to five professional references, at least two of which must include a current direct supervisor and most recent supervisor. If you cannot provide two supervisor references, an opportunity will be afforded for discussion and consideration of alternative references with the CCA Human Resource Office. Please note, out of professional courtesy to you, we will not contact your listed references without first providing notice to you as a candidate prior to beginning the reference check-process.
• If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing that your degree has been conferred and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation is required as part of your application. Please submit this as an attachment to your application. Please note that you have the right to redact dates from your transcript during the application process. A full, unredacted copy will be required upon hire.
• For any questions or technical issues please contact HR@CCAurora.edu.