To advance the college's mission, vision, principles, values, and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions and intensive support of all Seidler Foundation 11th-grade scholarship awardees during their senior year of high school as they prepare for college enrollment.
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:
The College Navigator, Seidler Foundation assists Seidler Foundation scholarship awardees who are awarded in 11th grade, from the time of application marketing through high school graduation. The role will work with the three partnering high schools to market the scholarship opportunity to eligible students and work closely with the school team to craft and enact a strategic plan for marketing to and securing applicants. Strategic planning will be completed in close coordination and under the supervision of the Program Director, Seidler Foundation.
Support 11th-grade awardees during their 12th grade of high school so that they are college-ready and remain eligible for the scholarship.
The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Some evening and weekend hours will be required.
This is a unique role, funded by the Seidler Foundation to exclusively support their 11th-grade scholarship awardees, and is hired and supervised by Kirkwood Community College.
UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:
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Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
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Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
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Champion Service- anticipating needs and creating a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
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Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
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Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.
- Participate in specialized training and ongoing mentoring/meetings with the Seidler Foundation and their collaborators to ensure understanding of the scholarship program, requirements, and processes.
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Meet with the Program Director, Seidler Foundation, on an ongoing basis and in collaboration meetings with the Program Director, Seidler Foundation, and the Seidler Foundation Executive Director and the KCC Director of Advancement.
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Participate in summer College Student Ambassador training in August.
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Participate in school-sponsored ceremonies that recognize 11th-grade awardees.
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Assist in planning and delivering new 11th-grade awardee reception/celebration for awardees and their families each year (April or May).
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Contact each 11th-grade scholarship awardee in the summer to let them know of your role and available support and to learn if they are having any challenges.
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Maintain frequent communication and positive relationships with collaborating high schools.
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Work with school staff and leaders to market the 11th-grade scholarship, maintain a collaborative relationship, continue to raise visibility of the Seidler Foundation 11th-grade scholarship program, and answer any questions that may arise.
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Host and deliver workshops in the schools, communicating the scholarship opportunity to eligible students.
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Ensure 11th-grade scholarship awardees understand and are in alignment with the requirements to receive the scholarship upon high school graduation.
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During their senior year of high school, ensure that students are college-ready:
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Mentor awardees during their senior year of high school: one-on-one and in groups,
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Serve as a resource for questions awardees may have,
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Ensure awardees know the processes for maintaining their scholarship,
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Make sure students are completing college admissions applications,
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Make sure students are submitting their FAFSA and understand financial aid and the cost of college,
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Assists awardees in knowing about and applying for – above and beyond the Seidler Foundation scholarship – other available financial aid, scholarships, and other forms of tuition and public assistance,
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Work with College Student Ambassadors to come into the schools and speak to students,
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Research and promote opportunities offered by others (ACT testing, FAFSA completion, campus tours, college planning workshops, college application fairs, online College Planning Workshops on the Seidler Foundation website, sessions offered by ICAN). The idea is to maximize what is already planned and not to re-create programming, with the exception of assistance on college admissions processes, FAFSA, and understanding financial aid, and presentations by the College Ambassadors.
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Notify, and remind students to complete the Senior Year Eligibility Check Form by June 15,
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Foster and develop positive relationships with off-campus resources and stakeholders.
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Assists in the development and implementation of assessment plans to measure program effectiveness and student success.
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Assist the Executive Director with the school mini-grants program, to be implemented in 2026 or 2027.
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Serves as the point person for addressing and/or reporting to the Seidler Foundation any challenges that arise or ways in which the scholarship program can work more smoothly.
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Perform other related work duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
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Provide outstanding customer service and serve as a positive representative of the department and the student services division with the goal of improving student learning and success.
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Demonstrate a solid working knowledge of college student development theory, including the needs of diverse populations and student services in general.
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Demonstrate a knowledge of community college philosophy, Kirkwood programs, policies and procedures, community agencies, resources and referral procedures, and issues of food and housing insecurity and other related issues.
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Possess a knowledge of credit and non-credit academic programs.
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Communicate effectively through written, oral, and electronic means; possess functional knowledge of the Colleague student database, Titanium calendar, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other commonly used computer programs.
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Manage a diverse variety of work duties efficiently, effectively, and independently in an environment with regular interruptions.
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Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND EVALUATION PROCESS:
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Meet with the Program Director, Seidler Foundation, weekly and keep the Program Director abreast of updates and ask when information and feedback are needed. Actively participate in discussions about how the role is going and any improvements or additional support that is needed.
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Meet every two weeks with the Program Director, Seidler Foundation, the Seidler Foundation Executive Director, and the KCC Director of Advancement. These joint meetings will be used to provide and hear updates, to consider program improvements, and to strategically plan for the future.
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Participate in informal ongoing and formal annual performance evaluation with the Program Director. The Program Director will seek input from the Seidler Foundation Executive Director and the Director of Advancement. Additional feedback will be sought from the three high schools and from 11th-grade awardees.
HOW THE SEIDLER FOUNDATION MEASURES SUCCESS:
The Foundation has these outcome goals, the first two of which this role is directly connected to:
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Have a minimum average of 38 11th-grade scholarship awardees per school annually, with 5% annual growth in the number of awards.
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95% of scholarship awardees enroll in and attend college.
90% of awardees who enroll in college persist from year to year. -
75% of awardees who enroll in college earn a degree.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.
The position will spend most of their week at all three high schools and an estimated ½ day – 1 day at the Kirkwood campus each week. The schools will provide a space for the position to work out of. This is not a remote, work-from-home position.
Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling, and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking, and hearing.
- Bachelor’s degree in higher education, student services, secondary education, social work, counseling, or related fields.
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At least two years' experience in a higher education setting.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. Understanding of college planning, transition, and success processes and practices.
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Demonstrated experience managing programs.
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Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a diverse team.
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Demonstrated ability to work with students with diverse needs and backgrounds.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:
Experience working in career pathway programs or academic advising in a college or university, and an understanding of college planning, transition, and success processes and practices are preferred.
Understand and utilize the understanding of college transition and success processes and practices, as well as the transfer to bachelor’s degree processes.
REPORTS TO:
The Program Director, Seidler Foundation, with additional training and college-readiness mentorship by the Executive Director.
With the role also being accountable to the Seidler Foundation, the Seidler Foundation will be instrumental and involved in training, frequent meetings, and evaluations. Communication with the Seidler Foundation will be ongoing and a key part of the role.
EEO/AA STATEMENT:
It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness (employees) or the Vice President of Student Services (students), 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-398-5572,
[email protected], or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email:
[email protected].
WHY KIRKWOOD:
Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. 