What are the responsibilities and job description for the Upward Bound-Summer Residential Mentor- Student Employment (Workstudy Eligibility Preferred) position at VTSU?
Overview of Upward Bound: Upward Bound is a federally funded college preparation program designed to encourage students to develop the academic skills and motivation necessary for success in post-secondary education. The program focuses on providing equal opportunity for students who would be the first in their respective families to obtain a college degree but because of income level or other disadvantages may not continue their education. Upward Bound serves students in grades 9-12.
Goal for Residential Mentors: To create an open living/learning environment for Upward Bound students where all feel welcomed and valued, and to challenge the students to learn, share, question, and grow while enforcing program policies to student participants.
Job Responsibilities:
- Work together with other mentors to serve as advisors, tutors, educators, and role models to Upward Bound students
- Continually supervise and interact with Upward Bound students while attempting to meet their personal needs
- Provide overnight supervision of students throughout the summer program
- Facilitate small mentor groups and study sessions for students’ academic and personal development to take place during evening hours
- Organize and implement various cultural and social activities for students to take place during evening hours
- Complete documentation and reports as assigned
Qualifications: Applicants must have a high energy level and be able to communicate effectively with 9th-12th grade students. Must have completed one year of college and be in good academic standing to apply. Position requires a positive attitude and the ability to work effectively with and display sensitivity toward a wide range of ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural, and life-style differences among staff and student participants. Residential living and/or student leadership experience required, along with administrative planning and organizational skills. Special consideration will be given to former students of Upward Bound. A valid driver’s license is preferred for the occasional transportation of students.
Time Commitment: Five to Six weeks during the summer, which includes staff training. Dates are set for June 23 – July 18 with our end of summer trip from July 21-24. One mentor will be asked to work June 16-19 with our Senior Day program. Staff will have weekends off beginning 1:30 pm on Fridays and ending Monday morning at 6:30 am. Mentors are expected to be accessible throughout the week. For this reason, mentors should not be enrolled in summer classes or have outside employment. Actual student interaction and assigned tasks begin at approximately 7:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 p.m., with a number of breaks and segments of free time.
Compensation: Mentors will be provided with private room and meal plan for their work weeks (excluding meals on weekends), paid admission to all events and field trips.
