OnRamp Summer Academy Assistant Site Director

Location: Amherst College - Amherst, MA

Employment Type: Temporary, Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range: $12,000-14,000, depending on site/program

Benefits: Room & board and up to $500 travel reimbursement

The Organization:

At Thrive Scholars, we provide high-achieving, diverse, and underrepresented students, including students of color from under-resourced communities, the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in meaningful careers.

Our comprehensive and data-driven program model focuses on the key inflection points that can be the difference between graduating from any college and graduating from a top college with the grades, degree, career skills, and network needed to thrive in any career. Thrive Scholars originated in Los Angeles as South Central Scholars (“SCS”) twenty years ago. Over this time, the organization has refined its program model and, in the last five years, has focused on expanding nationally; reaching more high-achieving underrepresented students, growing the number of Scholars we serve; and deepening our program impact. Thrive Scholars has begun to grow its footprint with new summer program offerings in three additional cities, with more to come. The organization has approximately 75 year-round employees and close to 200 summer employees.

The Programs: Summer Academy, Thrive Academy & OnRamp

Summer Academy has long been the keystone of Thrive Scholars’ Six-Year Program, offering a signature summer experience through intensive college-preparatory courses taught by college instructors. Thrive’s current strategic direction builds on the success of Summer Academy to expand our impact by establishing community-based Thrive Academies in cities across the United States. We launched our first two Thrive Academies as commuter programs in Los Angeles and New York City in 2024 while simultaneously continuing to offer the residential Summer Academies for Scholars who are part of our Six-Year Program. We are gearing up to open a third Thrive Academy in Chicago and expect to continue extending our reach to other cities in the coming years.

The OnRamp Scholars

OnRamp is a free, 10-month program designed to address the underrepresentation and underpreparation of Black males in top colleges, advanced careers, and corporate leadership. Each year, it brings together 25 high-achieving rising 11th-grade Black male scholars—most identifying as first-generation college-goers and from under-resourced communities—with an average GPA of 3.9. These motivated and inquisitive students embrace the expectation of academic excellence and strive to succeed.

The program includes a six-week residential program that takes place at the same location as Summer Academy. OnRamp features college-level math and writing courses, college admissions workshops, and skill development. Scholars also benefit from 1:1 high school success coaching, pre-college advising, and a supportive community of Black male peers and professionals nationwide. Beyond academics, the program fosters leadership development, connection, and exploration while setting personal and academic goals.

The Position
Thrive Scholars is seeking an OnRamp Assistant Site Director (ASD) to be an integral part of the on-site leadership team for the 2025 Residential Summer Academy (SA) program, ensuring a positive, enriching, and safe experience for Scholars while fostering a vibrant and supportive community. The OR ASD will be the primary on-site representative for the OnRamp cohorts, and in collaboration with the Director of OnRamp, will steward the day-to-day operation of the program. The ASD will assist in the administration of program logistics, support the development and implementation of recreational programming, and provide supervision/support to the OnRamp College Access Navigation Fellows, who serve in a “camp counselor” like role, and will collaborate with the OnRamp Program Director to tailor the OnRamp experience to the specific needs of the cohort. As a residential program, the ASD will live on-site in the residence hall alongside the Scholars and collaborate with the on-site Summer Academies team. While the primary focus of this role will be OnRamp, the ASD will also have responsibilities beyond OnRamp, including offering 24-hour coverage and support throughout the program for all Scholars on campus in the event of urgent matters and delivering professional development workshops and supervision to all CAN Fellows at Summer Academy.

The ASD is expected to take one day off per week during the Summer Academy to ensure a balance between their responsibilities and personal well-being. The ASD will be expected to participate in planning prior to the start of Summer Academy.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation & Benefits:

Assistant Site Directors will receive $14,000. This is a full-time, temporary exempt position. Reimbursement up to $500 will be provided for travel for eligible candidates. Room and board will be provided, and covered by Thrive Scholars. Non-AC housing, with potential for necessary accommodations. Training for this role will occur asynchronously and synchronously.

2025 Host Site and Dates:

Amherst College - Summer Academy I - $14,000

Remote Training: June 2nd - June 13th

On-Site Training, Student Orientations & Program Preparation Dates: June 15th - June 22nd

Summer Academy I Session (6-weeks): June 23rd- July 31st

Program Closeout: August 1st- 15th

After the conclusion of Summer Academy, the Assistant Site Director will support the Site Directors, with the creation of an end-of- program report.

Reports to: Site Director

Primary Responsibilities

Programming

• Collaborate with Thrive Program Staff to develop and lead student orientation.
• Plan and chaperone off-site field trips.

Administration

• Oversee assigned program operations, including budgets, supplies, residential assignments, and College Navigation Fellows schedules to ensure adequate coverage and oversight.
• Communicate regularly with Site Director to provide updates, address challenges, and implement approved solutions.
• Train and support College Access Navigation Fellows in collaboration with Thrive Program Staff.
• Support health and wellness needs, including working with the nurse to support scholar health
• Oversee the use of Thrive-assigned campus vehicles and manage access to keys and other campus resources.
• Complete campus off-boarding tasks, including inventorying supplies

Student Supervision & Support

• Monitor student safety, well-being, and participation, addressing residential, academic, health, and socio-emotional issues as they arise.
• Enforce the Summer Academy Code of Conduct and attendance policies, providing support or administering consequences as needed.
• Mediate conflicts among students and staff while maintaining confidentiality and objectivity.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of full-time experience working with youth in educational or residential settings.
• Experience in living-learning communities, such as academic summer programs, residential high schools, or higher education institutions.
• Expertise in risk management practices for residential programs.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a proven track record of working effectively with underrepresented and diverse student populations.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
• Highly dependable, with a strong focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of participants.
• Ability to thrive in a high-energy environment and inspire positivity among high school and college students.
• Proven ability to train and manage college-aged staff.
• Commitment to upholding and enforcing the policies and values of Thrive Scholars and the Summer Academy program.
• Valid driver’s license required; CPR and First Aid certification preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Master’s degree in School Counseling, Higher Education, Social Work, or a related field strongly preferred

Working Environment & Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a seasonal employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role:

• Frequent sitting, talking and listening and occasional walking, bending, stooping, and pulling
• Handle and operate computers, tools or controls
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• See clearly in an indoor and outdoor environment
• Work in an indoor classroom environment that may not have air conditioning in the summer
• Travel off campus (transportation will be provided and advance notice will be given if required)
• Live in a dormitory that may not have air conditioning in the summer

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please review Thrive Scholars’ position statement on economic mobility here.