Gear Up College Coach
Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s department of Student Affairs invites applications for the position of Gear UP College Coach.
SUMMARY
The GEAR UP College Coach will work with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE)– a federally funded initiative aimed at early student awareness and readiness for college assisting the identified GEAR UP 10 Local Education Agencies (LEA's) 7th – 12th grade students in matriculation to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The GEAR UP program specifically targets first generation college students/parents and minority students/parents. The College Coach will primarily assist and support the specified LEA's students with college preparation and career goals and options. In addition to working with specified high schools and their students, the College Coach will work with parents, high school counselors and administrators to inform them of specific college requirements, financial planning, scholarships, and student support services. They will work with the regional four-year university faculty advisors to identify academic options, choose academic strategies, and help with student enrollment. The College Coach will also act as a resource for academic information, financial aid information and decision-making strategies once the student arrives on the campus. This position will work with students from GEAR UP schools in the areas (specifically Durant High School) of identifying student support services that will aid in the transition to college. The College Liaison will assist the college in tracking and understanding the perspective of a GEAR UP student and will work with specified College Registrars to implement degree completion activities. The GEAR UP College Coach will be expected to work with each entity; GEAR UP schools, colleges, and students/parents in an effective, positive, and professional manner to convey to a diverse constituency the features and benefits of a higher education degree. They will report to Vice President for Student Affairs. The College Coach and the university supervisor will have the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator as their point of contact with OK GEAR UP.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Represent GEAR UP at high schools, regional universities events and public functions to encourage enrollment of students at the specified four-year regional university.
- Work as part of direct student services team in each LEA to develop and carry out a plan for preparing students for success in college. (GEAR UP Education Coordinator, GEAR UP School Specialist, Counselor etc.)
- Serve as part of the LEA GEAR UP advisory/evaluation team.
- Assist GEAR UP students with making college/career plans.
- Actively seek to build relationships with schools, students’ parents, and communities to promote higher education and build support for student success.
- Provide continual transitioning and academic support for GEAR UP students during their higher education process.
- Schedule and pre-plan GEAR UP high school college day visits on campus.
- Conduct campus tours and conference with GEAR UP students and parents whenever they visit the college campus.
- Communicate admission policies to GEAR UP students, parents, school administrators, counselors, and teachers.
- Evaluate high school transcripts to determine eligibility for admission to the specified college.
- Assist with the GEAR UP students specified college admission, financial aid, student support and academic process.
- Develop and maintain tracking system for GEAR UP schools' graduating seniors, who are full-time and part-time students.
- Develop intervention strategies to assist GEAR UP students with college success and completion.
- Work with instructors to provide and support GEAR UP students.
- Work with college registrars to identify students at-risk for non-completion of their degree or for students who have completed significant hours with no degree.
- Work with targeted GEAR UP students on degree completion activities.
- Other duties as assigned by Vice President for Student Affairs.
- Work with concurrent students from Durant High School on issues of student success.
- Utilize the OK GEAR UP TREK system and other online programs, such as Inside Track, to assist in accountability documentation and student services.
- Attend OK GEAR UP staff meetings in the Oklahoma City office on a bi-monthly basis or as needed for specialized training and development.
- Assist the four-year university appointed contact as needed in providing an annual budget report of GEAR UP expenses and available funds to the OK GEAR UP Office.
- Provide calendar documentation of activities to the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator and keep the administrator informed as to progress of goals and any assistance that might be needed.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (FUNCTIONS, DUTIES)
1. Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended upon to report to the assigned duty station at the scheduled time. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious, about assignments.
2. Communication and Contact: The employee communicates effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside of the University.
3. Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the University. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working environment.
4. Safety: Employee works safely, attends safety training offered/required, and follows appropriate safety rules and regulations. In relation to level of NIMs training completed, participates in incident management preparation, and performs incident duties as assigned.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree in related field required. The candidate must have clear understanding of the needs of GEAR UP qualified students and knowledge of college services including financial aid, degree completion activities and academic support programs. Candidate must demonstrate ability to use independent judgment and show organizational, communication and leadership skills. Candidate must be skilled at delivering presentations to both small and large groups. Successful candidate must provide a cellular telephone for work-related activities and be willing to travel.
PREFERRED: Experience working with high school and/or college age students. Candidates having a high degree of familiarity with GEAR UP, knowledge of the regional college's requirements, programs, and degrees are preferred. A candidate who is familiar with the region where GEAR UP schools are located will be a plus.
Founded in 1909 as a teachers’ college, Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues the strong tradition of producing outstanding educators for southeast Oklahoma and north Texas. Student enrollment is approximately 6,000 students and the campus is situated in rural Oklahoma. The main campus located in Durant, Oklahoma, which is 90 miles north of Dallas, Texas, and 150 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. The community is close to Lake Texoma and the Choctaw Casino Resort. Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues to be among the nation’s most affordable universities according to the U. S. News & World Report’s America’s Best colleges.
The preferred start date is June 15, 2026 or until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled.
Southeastern offers a comprehensive benefits package including university paid health, vision, life insurance, long term disability, retirement contributions to Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System, as well as a tuition waiver for employees and spouse/dependents who wish to enroll at Southeastern. Southeastern offers 25 paid holidays per fiscal year and has a generous leave package including annual/vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, and birthday leave. In addition to the SE paid benefits, there are many voluntary products available to employees such as 403(b), Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, dental, short term disability, dependent life insurance and a variety of ancillary benefits.
Employment is contingent upon the results of a national criminal and sex offender background check. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. SE participates in E-Verify.
SE is an AA/EEO employer committed to multicultural diversity.
Notice to applicants:
It is Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s policy that all newly hired employees must provide an original social security card during the hiring process. Failure to provide an original social security card will delay the hiring process and ability to begin employment.
