College Success Advisor

Description

Join a mission-driven team supporting and empowering future college graduates!

Who We Are

At Steppingstone, our mission is to prepare students from under-resourced communities to access, navigate and graduate from college. 

• In Boston, we provide academic, social-emotional, and college readiness programming from as early as fifth grade and continuing through college graduation through the Steppingstone Scholars Program (SSP).
• Nationally, we connect the people, practices, and innovations essential for eliminating barriers to college and career success, through the National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA).

Who You Are

The College Success Advisor role is a strong fit for an early career professional who is passionate about educational access and success and is committed to making a lasting impact on Scholars’ lives. In this role, you will develop deep knowledge of the national college landscape and the resources available in order to assist Scholars and families as they navigate through college and prepare for their careers. The ideal candidate will have the skills to excel in a role that implements college and career success programming, including financial aid assistance, transfering, enrollment and adjustment support, and career coaching.

Start Date: June 2025

Salary: $60,000

Reports to: Director of College Success

Responsibilities:

Advising & Student Support

• Advise 60-100 Scholars, supporting their academic, financial, social-emotional, and career growth
• Develop meaningful relationships with Scholars by maintaining consistent contact via email, text, phone calls, and in-person/virtual meetings (including campus visits when needed)
• Guide Scholars through college transitions, financial aid, academic progress, and career exploration
• Assist Scholars in applying for alternative postsecondary pathways, including workforce training and trade programs
• Guide Scholars in navigating the transfer process to a new college
• Support college seniors in post-graduation planning, including:
• Resume/cover letter feedback
• Graduate school and job applications
• Networking opportunities with alumni and professionals
• Provide one-on-one support to Scholars through a collective case management model as assigned by the Director of College Success
• Collaborate with the High School Success team to ensure smooth transitions for incoming college freshmen

Program Implementation

• Develop and facilitate workshops, events, and small-group sessions to enhance Scholar success
• Share resources via email, social media, and other channels to help Scholars persist in college and launch careers
• Partner with the Career Success team on internships, job readiness programs, and career awareness events
• Support social-emotional learning and skill-building in a restorative, high-expectations community
• Assist in Steppingstone’s annual scholarship program, including recruitment and selection
• Track and analyze Scholar progress using Salesforce and other data tools
• Participate in the process for admitting new Scholars and families to the Scholars Program

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated commitment to educational access and success
• Experience working with individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences
• Experience working with high school and/or college students in an academic, advising, or mentorship role
• Experience as an effective team member in a changing environment; ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Strong relationship-building and group facilitation skills across differing stakeholders; resolves conflicts constructively and respectfully
• Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and independent problem-solving capabilities
• Clear written and verbal communication style; ability to adapt communication style to different audiences
• Knowledge of college access, affordability, and career advising is a plus
• Ability to make a minimum two-year commitment required. Two years allow Advisors to fully dive into our work and provide consistency for Scholars and families.
• Preference given to candidates who are bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Haitian Creole, or Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese). Employees may be asked to provide translation services for members of the Steppingstone community and may be eligible to receive a stipend for their assistance. 

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required in a relevant field
• 2 years of experience working in college counseling or college advising preferred 
• Experience using Salesforce is a plus

Hybrid Schedule:

The Advisor will work a Monday-Friday schedule. Some evening and Saturday work is required and work schedules can be adjusted accordingly within that week. Evening work typically ends around 7:00 p.m. 

This position is a hybrid role with at least two days per week in office with some flexibility around work hours. A $500 home office set-up stipend will be provided upon hire, followed by quarterly stipends of $50. Laptops are provided to each employee to enhance the hybrid experience.

Program staff support the admission of new students and families to the Steppingstone Scholars Program, including interviewing prospective students and families. Due to the nature of those interviews, PTO is granted on a very limited basis in February.

Physical Demands:

• Lifting up to 20 pounds, standing, walking, sitting, reaching, operating computer and office equipment 
• Pursuant to the ADA, Steppingstone will provide reasonable services and accommodation(s) to employees with qualified disabilities in order to perform the essential functions of their employment, except when doing so would be unduly disruptive and/or result in undue hardship to the organization.

Employee Benefits:

• Generous paid time off (over 8 weeks total, as outlined below)
• 15 days PTO
• 2 days Discretionary Time Off
• 5 wellness days
• 12.5 holidays
• 2 weeks paid office closure (the weeks before Labor Day and New Year’s Day)
• $500 Home Office Set-up Stipend; plus $50 quarterly
• Health, Dental and Vision coverage
• Life, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account Plan (HRA)
• Pet Insurance
• Flexible Schedule     
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition & Professional Development reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health and Dependent Care
• Pre-tax Transportation Plan (Transit & Parking)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Membership to the National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA)

Steppingstone Core Values

Mission First - Keep Scholars front and center in all we do.

Lead with Inclusion - Elevate every voice, consider every perspective. 

Stronger Together - Team up and trust each other.

Own It - Act with integrity, stay accountable, and be transparent. 

Learn. Grow. Innovate. - Embrace change, drive creativity, and never stop learning.

A candidate will be found unsuitable for employment with Steppingstone and automatically disqualified if they use threatening language or behavior either written, verbal, or physical during any phase of the interview process

Steppingstone is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any individual, employee, or application for employment in accordance with law.

Salary : $60,000