Student Success Center Coordinator

Make the Road New Jersey builds the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and respect through community organizing, the provision of high quality legal and support services, transformative education and policy innovation. MRNJ is a project of Make the Road States. Founded in 2014, MRNJ has more than 2,000 members and operates community centers in Elizabeth, Passaic, and Perth Amboy and also provides services in Newark, NJ. Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above -- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services including ESOL, legal services, workplace safety training and college access.

Make the Road New Jersey’s youth committee, Youth Power Project, reaches working class youth to support them in becoming effective thinkers, leaders and decision-makers. Our programs provide academic and emotional support, cultivate creativity and critical thinking skills, and help students seize educational opportunities. Our Student Success Center, part of our Youth Power Project, works inside the Elizabeth Public Schools supporting the entire district. 

The Student Success Center: 

In September 2019, via an innovative partnership with the Elizabeth Public Schools, Make the Road New Jersey launched New Jersey’s first youth-led Student Success Center (SSC), a peer-to-peer training and support network. The mission is to support students, faculty, and staff in sustaining and growing a culture of post-secondary student achievement for every student and to make accessible critical tools and resources to meet those expectations. The SSC provides college exploration and preparation, academic support, and student leadership by putting young people at the center of our dialogue to identify what they need to improve access to college and by providing schools with a space to help them meet college readiness goals. The SSC has helped thousands of first generation high school students of color and low income students to apply to college and for financial aid. In its first year, the SSC increased the college application and acceptance rate by more than 30% at one of Elizabeth’s lowest performing schools.

Current Opening:

Make the Road NJ seeks a temporary full-time Student Success Center coordinator to supervise and support the SSC in Elizabeth while the permanent coordinator is out on leave. The coordinator is responsible for the day to day administration of the SSC, including supervising the ten College Ambassadors (trained high school students that provide one on one college access aid to students), coordinating financial aid workshops and college access/readiness presentations, and liaising with school staff and administrators. The coordinator will grow an ambitious program that centers youth leadership and decision making.

Key Responsibilities but not limited to: 

• Manage in-person/virtual drop in center after school where College Ambassadors support students in the college application process
• Schedule one-on-one and group support to navigate the college and financial aid application process including monthly financial aid clinics, weekly college access/readiness workshops, college tours, and campus-wide college awareness events
• Coordinate and conduct outreach for workshops/events for parents and guardians to foster a high level of parent engagement in the college process
• Support a small group of Elizabeth Public School alumni through their first year of college to ensure a high retention rate
• Supervise intensive spring and summer training programs for more than 80 students on college access
• Supervise the development and day to day work of 10 College Ambassadors
• Liaise with school faculty and staff 
• Keep a detailed and organized record of activities and individual student achievement/provide quantitative and qualitative data as needed
• Track progress toward meeting all outcomes and contractual obligations
• Coordinate events and support with Make the Road New Jersey’s youth organizing program
• Participate in school based and partner meetings, events and activities as needed
• Attend all required staff meetings

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the U.S
• Required to be fully vaccinated with a FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employment.
• College Degree
• 1-2 years experience in college access or youth development
• 4 year degree
• Possess a commitment to collective action and community organizing
• Bilingual English/Spanish required
• Have experience working in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic work environment

Job Competencies: 

• Experience with the college application process (FAFSA, Common App, writing/editing personal statements).
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Be highly professional and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals and support organization as a whole
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to work under pressure required.
• Have a working knowledge of spreadsheets, Microsoft Office suite, Google Drive, and using a database to run reports.
• Flexible work schedule, some evenings or weekends required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of accountability and initiative

How to Apply: Please submit your cover letter and resume to the Make the Road New Jersey Career Center.

MRStates is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse staff. Women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities and people of color strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, disability or marital status.