Academic Counselor - Upward Bound

Western Kentucky University; Bowling Green (KY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Paid time off

Tuition discount program

Job summary

Western Kentucky University (WKU) invites applications for a role supporting Upward Bound. The position focuses on guiding first-generation and low-income students through college prep, counseling, and mentorship, with collaboration across schools and families to promote student success.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree, a valid driver's license, and willingness to work some evenings and weekends; travel to partner schools is common.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Valid driver's license with good driving record.
• Availability to work some evenings and weekends.
• Knowledge of Upward Bound or TRIO programs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance, academic advisement, and mentorship for first-generation, low-income students.
• Conduct workshops, group meetings, and one-on-one sessions on college prep and financial aid.
• Collaborate with school personnel and parents to monitor student progress.
• Plan and coordinate cultural, social, and recreational programming.
• Travel frequently to target schools for recruitment within a 50-minute drive.
• Maintain student progress records and assist in annual performance reporting (APR).

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Relationship building

Project coordination

Recordkeeping

Education

Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Education, Social Work, Human Services or related field

Job description

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the third largest public four-year institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 16,293 students and nearly 2,612 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our ever-evolving communities.

Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about .

Job Description:

About Upward Bound (UB)

Upward Bound at WKU is a TRIO program grant-funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Upward Bound provides motivational, educational, and cultural enrichment to potential first-generation and low-income high school students from Allen, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan counties (including Russellville Independent School District). Upward Bound's mission is to prepare students for success in post-secondary education.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides guidance, academic advisement, and mentorship for first-generation, low-income participants by:
• Conducting workshops, group meetings, and one-on-one sessions in: secondary and post-secondary course selection, goal setting, study skills, ACT/SAT test application and preparation, college selection, financial aid applications, college admissions applications, scholarship applications, career planning, and postsecondary enrollment processes.
• Working closely with school personnel to support participants.
• Collaborating with parents/guardians on student progress.
• Works with director to plan and coordinate cultural, social, and recreational programming.
• Collaborates with director, academic coordinator, and other program staff to develop and implement academic programming for the approximately 24 school visits, ten Saturday Sessions, and the six-week pre-college summer program.
• Tracks and maintains records of student progress by:
  • Working with school counselors to collect grades, test scores, transcripts, and other relevant academic data.
  • Maintaining a record of all student contacts and services provided.
  • Assisting director in annual performance report (APR).
• Assists in program recruitment by:
  • Conducting recruitment and information sessions, classroom visits, tabling, and individual student and parent meetings at schools and within the community.
  • Guiding students and parents through the recruitment and intake processes.
  • Travels frequently to target schools (all target schools are within a 50-minute drive from WKU).
• Attends professional meetings and trainings, and participate in professional organizations.
• Other duties necessary to meet program needs.

Knowledge and Skills Considered Essential for Success:

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to build relationships and advocate for first-generation and low-income students
• Ability to initiate, implement, and coordinate projects
• Ability to maintain paper and electronic files accurately

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Education, Social Work, Human Services, core academic content area, or related field.
• Possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record.
• Availability to work some evenings and weekends.

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $36,000 - $39,000

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, may contact the Office of Institutional Equity at 270-745-5121 for assistance. To report concerns related to WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy, No. 0.2040 and/or WKU's Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy, No. 0.2070, please complete the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Reporting Form. Additional information regarding Title IX, including contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and reporting options, is available on WKU's Title IX website .

For information related to job postings, application status, or the hiring process, please email [e-mail] .