At College Possible Texas (serving at Texas State University & Austin Community College)

Employment Status/hours: In-Person; Quarter-Time; Monday - Friday (10-12 Hours Per Week)

Start Date: August 2024

End Date: May 2025

Compensation

• Living Stipend $325/biweekly **
• Segal Education Award valued at $1,956.35

** amount represents the 2023-2024 service year. The 2024-2025 service year amounts will be forthcoming.

Who We Are

As one of the largest and most successful college access and success programs in the country, since 2000 College Possible has helped more than 85,700 students from under-represented communities get into and through college through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. Its pioneering model matches students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help students overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Nationwide, College Possible students are three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree within six years than their peers from similar backgrounds.

College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as a College Possible coach in communities throughout the country. Many coaches represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.

Our near-peer coaching model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has an annual operating budget of ~$33.5 million, more than 190 full-time employees and more than 245 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 25,700 students nationwide.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates: regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

Our Coaches

College Possible Coaches are selected from a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds across the United States to serve our students as college access and success mentors; each Coach brings their unique skill set to assist students' success. We are seeking talented, caring, and capable people committed to supporting our students in their path to achieving a college degree. Through this service year opportunity, our Coaches develop leadership skills, participate in professional development workshops, engage in public speaking and much more. This is not only a positive learning experience for our students but for our Coaches as well!

What You'll Do

The AmeriCorps Peer Mentor Coach are students at Texas State University or Austin Community College who possess a sincere interest in empowering youth and a passion for higher education. Peer Mentors help expand college access for low-income and first-generation students while gaining professional skills. Peer Mentor Coaches will be expected to build and maintain congenial professional relationships internally and externally.

Peer Mentor Coaches:

• Research program-specific needs and conduct outreach to other College Forward students.
• Provide students direct college transition counseling and support in areas including, but not limited to: freshman orientation, course registration, and financial aid/FAFSA issues.
• Conduct research, provide referrals, arrange meetings, and accompany students to appointments as necessary.
• Assist College Forward staff and leadership team with program design improvement.
• Represent the organization to school personnel, professional organizations, educators, funders, and the public.
• Ensure program compliance with administrative policies and procedures, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Organize and maintain up-to-date files; coordinate and maintain database and spreadsheet files, producing frequent reports.
• Update and monitor College Forward's online social networking sites; respond frequently
• Plan and host campus events
• Serve 10-12 hours a week on site

Qualifications

• You are a U.S. citizen; AmeriCorps members are required to be U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents
• You are a student at Texas State University or Austin Community College
• You must clear a National Service Criminal History Check and all other security and health requirements set forth by College Possible and the school district in which you serve before the start of training

College Possible Coach Benefits & Perks

• 3 weeks of Paid School Breaks & Holidays
• Up to 4 days of Non-Service Time
• 3 weeks Pre-Service Training
• Consistent Professional & Leadership Development Trainings
• Employee Assistance Program Access, with Mental, Physical, & Financial Wellness Benefits
• Company Provided Technology
• Company Provided Gear & Apparel
• Access to College Possible Alumni Network

AmeriCorps Eligible Benefits

• Student Loan Deferment and Interest Forbearance
• Child Care Benefits Program
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits
• Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Access to Schools of National Service Network for Additional Education Benefits
• Access of AmeriCorps Alumni & Employers of National Service Network

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education.