GEAR UP College Success Coach

Job Summary:

The GEAR UP College Success 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 Local Education Agency’s (LEA’s) 7th – 12th grade students in matriculation to Higher Education. The GEAR UP program specifically targets first generation college students/parents and minority students/parents. The GEAR UP College Success Coach will primarily assist and support the specified LEA’s students with college preparation and career goals and options. The GEAR UP 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 of identifying student support services that will aid in the transition to college. The College Success 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. The GEAR UP College Success Coach and the university supervisor will have the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator as their point of contact with OK GEAR UP.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative support services to the department in a manner that professionally, cordially, and efficiently assists students, faculty, staff, and visitors
• The Coach will devote a majority of their time to the SWOSU campus helping first year students complete a successful first year experience and return as sophomores and working at Altus Public Schools and Clinton Public Schools to assist students with postsecondary plans.
• The Coach will greet and assist with students on their assigned campus when a college tour from one of our GEAR UP schools’ visit SWOSU. Those schools include Altus, Clinton, Durant, Grove, Guthrie, Jay, Locust Grove, Sapulpa, Skiatook, Stillwell, & Tahlequah.
• The Coach will assist the OK GEAR UP Site Director in making sure Altus Public Schools and Clinton Public Schools Seniors have a completed FAFSA on file. The Coach will assist SWOSU campus GEAR UP students when FAFSA help is needed.
• The Coach should visit with all Altus High School and Clinton High School Seniors in a presentation setting at some point during the students’ Senior Year.
• The Coach will complete all required OK GEAR UP training with OK GEAR UP Coaching Program and complete required data entry.
• The Coach will answer to the OK GEAR UP Grant Administrator regarding GEAR UP activities and report to the assigned SWOSU Supervisor regarding campus policies and procedures.
• The Coach will attend meetings and trainings as required by their SWOSU supervisor and keep the SWOSU supervisor updated on activities, absences and off campus work.
• The Coach should strive to foster good relationships on campus and assist in the overall positive work of the campus, which in turn assists GEAR UP in OKC.
• The Coach is required to attend the monthly general staff meeting of OK GEAR UP in OKC.
• The Coach should assist the OK GEAR UP Site Director in making sure OK Promise students at Altus and Clinton Schools complete their mandatory paperwork before the deadline during their senior year.
• The Coach should support the Altus and Clinton Schools’ concurrently enrolled students and encourage post-secondary continuance of education.
• The Coach will be on a team with Coaches from SEOSU, NSU, ECU, UCO and SWOSU.
• The Coach is not an SWOSU exclusive recruiter, but certainly may encourage students as to the value of the SWOSU opportunities.
• The Coach is a general promoter of all Oklahoma Public Colleges.
• The Coach will take part in required college coach training as provided by GEAR UP.
• Specific assignments are based on unit need and assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies:

• Ability to multi-task, organized, manages time effectively, and keeps tasks appropriately prioritized
• Remains knowledgeable in applicable regulations, policies, and protocols
• Ability to work with, assist, lead, and take directions from others in the interest of moving processes and programs forward to the desired outcome

Work Setting:

• Expectation of on-campus presence with attendance and punctuality
• Reports to Director of Admissions & Recruitment
• Promote personal safety, safety procedures, and a safe work environment
• Employment at will
• Full-time status
• 12-month appointment
• Non-exempt

About SWOSU:

With locations in Weatherford, Yukon, Sayre, and online degree programs, SWOSU is one of the leading regional universities in the country. See what makes SWOSU and Weatherford so great!