BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY (BSU) invites applicants to join our team as a TRIO Upward Bound Academic Advisor. The TRIO Upward Bound Academic Advisor will assist in coordinating individualized services and project events designed to provide post-secondary preparation and individual assistance to participants including student advising, various educational workshops, post-secondary visits and scholarship opportunities. They will assist with the daily operations of the Upward Bound Program, including the delivery of services that ensure post-secondary school readiness and enrollment for 101 first-generation, low-income, high school students. They will also maintain documentation of all services provided and data collection for the Department of Education Performance Report.

TRIO Upward Bound is a federally funded program intended to help low-income and/or potential first-generation college students academically succeed in high school and pursue a college education. TRIO Upward Bound works year-round with students from their freshman to senior years.

TRIO Upward Bound has been in existence at Bemidji State University since 1966 and is one of the oldest and largest programs in the country. The program serves more than 100 students at seven area high schools. The program is fully committed to equity and to diversity in our staff and students.

Responsibilities of the TRIO Upward Bound Academic Advisor include:

Assisting in the development and implementation of the TRIO Upward Bound Program services in accordance with the federal program regulations and university policy (60%).

• Providing support in planning, implementing, and evaluating services of the TRIO Upward Bound Program including evaluation of summer RAs and BSU student Tutor/Mentors.
• Providing support in planning, implementing, and evaluating services of the SSS mentoring Program including evaluation of BSU student Mentors.
• Understanding the operating policies and procedures set by the US Department of Education including allowable costs and grant guidelines for services.
• Participating in the development and modification of program goals, objectives, services, activities, and policies, in accordance with participant needs, institutional objectives and resources and funding agency requirements.
• Coordinating with the TRIO Upward Bound Associate Director to develop and conduct workshops; planning and participating in other program activities including orientation, post-secondary school travel, and special events.
• Identifying and recruiting eligible students for the program.
• Monitoring academic progress of participants closely through regular contact with participants and secondary teachers, assessment tools, and academic counseling.
• Meeting regularly with participants to assess their academic progress.
• Planning, attending, delivering and facilitating year-round professional development activities.
• Providing secondary school advice and academic counseling including developing knowledge of participating school credit structure, curriculum, school calendar and testing dates.
• Providing guidance to participants throughout the post-secondary school and financial aid application process.
• Attending secondary school parent/teacher and school counselor conferences for students in the program.
• Managing school year and summer program staff and supporting formative assessments of staff improvement in job performance throughout the year for summer RAs and BSU student Tutor/Mentors.
• Planning and producing TRIO Upward Bound recruitment videos and yearly updates.
• Connecting with and counseling students through academic and social difficulties and supporting their increased ability to self-advocate.

Coordinating aspects of participant travel to TRIO Days and Post-Secondary Institutions (20%)

• Planning all travel to TRIO conferences and post-secondary schools.
• Supervising TRIO Upward Bound participants on post-secondary visits and relevant academic conferences.
• Reconciling all travel expenses.
• Supporting summer program planning including summer college visits.

Record Keeping, Data Collecting, Alumni Tracking and Website Management (20%)

• Completing ongoing administrative tasks associated with the program, such as maintaining program records and database.
• Updating Alumni database.
• Working with IT Coordinator to help maintain the TRIO programs website to ensure accessibility, current information about the program, application, and academic resources. Creating newsletters, social media content for all TRIO programs.
• Tracking progression of TRIO Upward Bound participants, updating personal files, academic reports, college applications, FAFSA application and post-secondary enrollment.
• Managing yearbook development and production as well as ordering on a yearly basis. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree plus one (1) year of professional experience in higher education administration, student development, counseling, social work or a STEM-related field; OR a Bachelor's degree plus two (2) years of professional experience in higher education administration, student development, counseling, social work or a STEM-related field; OR three (3) years of professional experience in higher education administration, student development, counseling, social work or a STEM-related field; OR an equivalent combination of postsecondary training, education and/or professional experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work with federal TRIO programs, academic support programs, or similar programs serving first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students.
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills including the ability to plan and deliver high-level training and professional workshops meeting program needs and federal program guidelines.
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree and 1 year of experience in higher education administration, student development, counseling, social work or a STEM-related field from an accredited college or university.
• Knowledge of and experience working with complex federal grants, specifically OMB (Office of Management and Budget) circulars, EDGAR (a federal regulation) and other federal regulations set by the US Department of Education.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to first-generation students and students from historically underrepresented groups in higher education.
• Experience with academic, career and personal counseling/coaching, and graduate school admissions processes.
• Experience advising and assisting first-generation college students with high impact practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work with faculty from various disciplines.
• Experience in conducting developmental workshops such as study skills, time management, and university degree plans.
• Experience managing tutoring, mentoring, or staff providing services to secondary age students.

TO APPLY:
External Applicants: Apply for Vacancy Posting JR0000005084, on our career site: https://minnstate.wd115.myworkdayjobs.com/Minnesota_State_Careers/job/Bemidji/MSUAASF-Range-C---TRIO-Upward-Bound-Academic-Advisor_JR0000005084.
 
Internal Applicants: All current employees will need to log in to the career site in Workday to apply for the position. Employees will search for “Browse Jobs – Employees” in Workday via the search bar at the top to view open positions.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Miller at mary.miller@bemidjistate.edu