Summary:
The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), in close partnership with Michigan colleges and universities, seeks to help more Michigan students pursue postsecondary education. Graduates (bachelor’s degree or higher) will serve as AdviseMI AmeriCorps advisers in selected high schools across Michigan, particularly high schools that are located in communities with low college-going rates and low adult educational attainment rates. Serving alongside high school counselors and other school professionals, advisers support low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color as they make the transition from high school to a postsecondary education institution. Advisers serve full time and focus on advising students through the complex steps toward college enrollment.
Commitment:
Advisers will commit to completing their selected term and the required hours. Each of the terms require a full-time (40 hour/week) schedule. This position includes all the training advisers need to be effective in their role, and no prior experience is necessary. Successful advisers are fully enmeshed in the fabric of the local communities and, as such, advisers are encouraged to live in the community in which they are placed. Upon successful completion of the service term, advisers may be invited to return for one additional term of service with the AdviseMI program if they choose.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Interact on a daily basis with high school students and families in the assigned high school to provide relevant information about postsecondary education and the college choice/financial aid processes:
- Encourage each student to consider a broad range of appropriate college choices, including
- Develop a comprehensive college timeline, including application deadlines for admission and financial aid for each student
- Help each student complete and submit admissions and financial aid applications
- Assist each student in interpreting correspondence from colleges, including offers of admission and financial aid
- Organize group events that encourage students and their families to consider, plan for, and apply to colleges and universities:
- Visit classrooms, assemblies, and club meetings to offer services and emphasize the necessity of postsecondary participation
- Partner with local community groups—particularly Local College Access Networks (LCANs)—to provide college access services outside of the school setting and hours
- Host regular workshops for the families of students to discuss topics relevant to college preparation
- Organize college campus visits and on-site college representative visits
- Establish productive collegial relationships with principals, school counselors, and teachers in assigned high school, as well as other community-based college access professionals:
- Assess, in consultation with MCAN and the high school, the particular assets and needs of the assigned school, and adapt/adopt programs and activities to reinforce existing efforts to expand the services provided to students and avoid duplication
- Actively seek the advice and counsel of the on-site supervisor at the assigned high school
- Assist in the assessment and long-term sustainability of the program:
- Assist MCAN to identify, collect, and interpret key progress and outcome data to evaluate the effectiveness of AdviseMI
- Submit monthly progress reports documenting progress and output data to the program staff
- Represent AdviseMI, as requested by the program staff, to potential supporters and other interested parties
- Build and maintain expertise in admission and financial aid advising:
- Participate fully in a mandatory training session
- Attend all professional development training sessions provided by AdviseMI
- In consultation with the program director, seek out and participate in other opportunities for professional development
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in any subject area
- Ability to effectively partner with students, faculty, and staff, including those from diverse backgrounds
- Previous experience demonstrating strong leadership abilities, influencing others in a positive manner while achieving goals, and effectively communicating ideas and generating support for ideas
- Ability to serve independently and analytically, exercise discretion and good judgment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proficient computer skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects; strong planning and organizational skills
- Willingness to handle complex and detail-oriented tasks and projects
- High energy, creativity, ability to assume responsibility
- Take initiative and develop new programs within the high school setting
- Successfully pass Federal and State background screenings
- Provide documentation of eligibility for service (e.g. birth certificate, passport, transcripts)
- Dependable transportation to get and from your service site
Compensation:
Annual compensation will include: Living allowance, post-service education award*, healthcare coverage (including dental, medical and vision), and childcare coverage to eligible individuals.
*Upon successful completion of the full term of service, members are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The education award may be used to pay educational costs at eligible post-secondary educational institutions, to repay qualified student loans. Individuals may only earn the equivalent of two full-time education awards during their lifetime.
Other benefits: Advisers are eligible to receive 15% tuition and mandatory fees for Saginaw Valley State University and a scholarship of up to $6,000/year at Baker College for graduate studies.