Summary:
Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), in close partnership with Michigan colleges and universities, seeks to help more Michigan students pursue postsecondary education. MCAN’s College Completion Corps will place full-time AmeriCorps members on community college campuses to supplement campus efforts to increase persistence and completion of first-generation college-going students, low-income students, and students of color.
Members will serve as coaches to a defined cohort of 100-150 students over the course of a year, guiding students through the development of a college completion plan and assisting with the navigation of an academic year. Working in partnership with professional campus staff, coaches will organize learning sessions for small groups, coordinate 1:1 meetings with students, and provide reminders of key activities (such as course registration deadlines and FAFSA completion workshops) via technology prompts. The purpose of this program is to assist students with their acclimation to campus, build their knowledge of campus systems and resources, and help them successfully persist to completion. AmeriCorps members are also responsible for recruiting a minimum of ten volunteers to serve through National Days of Service or campus-based service opportunities.
Commitment:
Full-time members will serve a minimum of 1,700 hours over a twelve-month service year, and will log daytime, evening and weekend service hours to facilitate student activities. The program year is scheduled to run December 5, 2022 to November 30, 2023. Candidates who are not willing to make a full-year commitment should not apply.
This program includes a mandatory, one-week orientation session in Lansing, Michigan, which will be followed by three weeks of mandatory campus orientation prior to engaging with students. All Lansing-based training expenses (including room, board and travel) are covered by the program. Successful coaches are fully enmeshed in the campus and community and, as such, Coaches are encouraged to live in the community in which they are placed. Upon successful completion of the first-year commitment, Coaches may be invited to apply for one additional year of service with the College Completion Corps program if they choose.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Ongoing interaction with students in your assigned cohort, following the campus program calendar:
- Conduct monthly check-ins with students (preferably face to face, 1:1)
- Organize and facilitate small-group interactions to model community-building and facilitate campus acclimation for students, for example:
- Meals on campus
- Study groups
- Group visits/tours of campus services or to campus activities
- Coordinate a group volunteer/service project
- Ensure each student renews their FAFSA during the application window
- Ensure each student registers for subsequent semester of coursework
- Understand community services and resources that may provide support to students (United Way, 2-1-1, community scholarship programs, food pantries, transportation services, etc.), connecting students to these resources as relevant to eliminate barriers to success
- Establish productive collegial relationships with professional staff, faculty and administration at your host campus:
- Learn about existing systems that provide support to your assigned student cohort and assess, with staff, how your activities can supplement their efforts to expand services and avoid duplication
- Learn the referral process and make active referrals from students to campus staff, establishing relationships that will continue through each student’s educational experience
- Actively seek the advice and counsel of your Site Supervisor and professional network when confronted with unique challenges and needs of students
- Be familiar with campus reporting processes and guidelines in the event you need to report a student crisis or emergency
- Assist in the assessment and long-term sustainability of the program:
- Assist MCAN with the identification, collection, and interpretation of key progress and outcome data to evaluate the effectiveness of College Completion Corps:
- Track time and frequency of student interactions
- Track completion of key program benchmarks
- Recommend additional supports to campus and MCAN staff that may assist with student completion
- Submit monthly progress reports documenting progress and output data to the program staff
- Represent College Completion Corps, as requested by the program staff, to potential supporters and other interested parties
- Assist MCAN with the identification, collection, and interpretation of key progress and outcome data to evaluate the effectiveness of College Completion Corps:
- Build and maintain expertise in completion coaching and student success
- Participate fully in mandatory program training and professional development offered by the College Completion Corps
- In consultation with the Program Director and your Site Supervisor, seek out and participate in other opportunities for professional development
- Adhere to all regulations and requirements of AmeriCorps members from the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Michigan Community Service Commission
Eligibility:
Applicants must be a United States citizen, a national, or a legal permanent resident and at least 18 years of age. Documentation of proof of age and citizenship will be required during the selection process. Members must be able to pass federal and state background screenings.
Documentation demonstrating completion of COVID-19 vaccination will be required during the selection process.
Qualifications:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in any subject, from an accredited institution (with preferred student experience at the institution where you will serve)
- 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 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 with strong planning and organizational skills
- Willingness to handle complex and detail-oriented tasks and projects
- High energy, creativity, ability to assume responsibility
- Ability to take initiative and facilitate coaching activities within the community college setting
- Provide documentation of eligibility for service (e.g. birth certificate, passport, transcripts)
- Dependable transportation to get to and from your service site
Compensation: Living allowance ($30,000), post-service education award* ($6,495), health insurance (including dental, medical and vision), and childcare coverage to eligible individuals.
*Upon successful completion of the full year 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.