College Access Advisor - Wichita GEAR UP

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY; Wichita (KS); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Wichita State University seeks a dedicated adviser for the Wichita GEAR UP South/West program. This role focuses on intensive 1:1 academic advising, mentoring, and CAP delivery to students in grades 6-12 and first-year college students in Wichita, KS.

You will build partnerships with schools and families, track outcomes, and promote college access through structured guidance and support. Responsibilities include group mentoring, exam readiness support, and close collaboration with administrators

Qualifications

• Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Six (6) years of experience in academic advising or related field (education substitutions).
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations affecting low-income students."],
• job_responsibilities_description[
• Provide intensive 1:1 academic advising for high-priority students.
• Lead group mentoring sessions to develop social-emotional skills.
• Deliver CAP components and guide career exploration and financial aid awareness.
• Coordinate with schools and partners to integrate GEAR UP services.
• Monitor records, document activities, and track outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive, targeted 1:1 academic advising for high-priority students.
• Lead small and large group mentoring sessions to develop social-emotional learning, study skills, and self-advocacy.
• Deliver core components of the College Access Plan (CAP) guiding students through career exploration and financial aid awareness.
• Advise about entrance exams and assist with test prep resources.
• Maintain relationships with school staff to secure referrals and integrate GEAR UP services.

Skills

Communication skills

Computer skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Organization skills

Grant compliance

Data management

Independent / team work

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Department: Wichita GEAR UP South/West

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - Other Wichita Location

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Salary set at $40,000/yr

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm (regular evenings & weekends based on scheduled events but flexible)

Export Compliance Requirement:No export control requirement.

Job Story

This position is designed for someone who believes that early, intentional intervention can change the trajectory of a student’s life and who’s ready to roll up their sleeves to make that happen. This role sits exactly where impact matters most: face-to-face with students who need guidance, consistency, and someone who won’t give up on them. Wichita GEAR UP is a program serving students in grades 6-12 and first year in college. Multiple positions available at multiple school locations within Wichita.
What You’ll Do (Where the Work Really Happens)

• You’ll serve as a trusted advisor, mentor, and connector for students who need targeted support—not just encouragement, but a plan.
  
• Provide intensive 1:1 academic advising.
  
• Lead small and large group mentoring sessions
  
• Deliver College Access Plan (CAP) components.
  
• Support entrance exam readiness.
  
• Act as a student advocate.
  
• Build strong partnerships with school administrators.
  
• Engage parents and guardians.
  
• Promote GEAR UP at school and community events.
• Track services and outcomes meticulously.

You’re a person who can have tough conversations with empathy but still keeps things moving forward. You know when to listen, how to document, and when to advocate.
You bring:

• Strong communication skills across diverse audiences, from students to school leaders all the way to families.
  
• A natural respect for confidentiality and professional boundaries.
  
• The ability to build rapport quickly while maintaining structure and expectations.
  
• Cultural awareness and comfort working with students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
  
• A proactive, self-starter mindset—you don’t wait to be told what needs doing.
  
• Excellent organizational skills and follow-through (documentation is non-negotiable in grant-funded work).
• A preference for working directly with students in middle or high school settings.

Job Summary

Responsible for the enrollment, monitoring and/or advising of eligible participants. Establishes and maintains a positive and professional relationship with all referral agencies. Plans educational, career and life skills activities, completes the College Access Plan (CAP) on each student and coordinates with College Access Mentors or other partners to ensure services are provided.

Essential Functions

Instructs program students in college access workshops to include college preparation, financial literacy and career awareness workshops. Provides post enrollment academic monitoring, mentoring and advising as needed. Ensures completion of required applications, surveys and supporting documents by completing all necessary documentation of activities, assisting with data entry and accuracy of student database and obtaining student school records, surveys and college enrollment information. Shares participant outcome data and best practices with agencies as needed. May work closely with privatized foster care agencies and local schools in enrolling students in the program. May negotiate in-kind donations with partners to ensure grant matches. Reviews student records, identifies local community referral resources and conducts referrals for students. Determines and schedules assessments of student needs; may assist with financial aid coordination. Reports student performance and adjustment needs. Tracks resource usage and aid adequacy as needed.

Job Duties

Provide intensive, targeted 1:1 academic advising for students identified as high-priority (based on grades, attendance, and behavior), focusing on goal setting and barrier identification.
Lead small and large group mentoring sessions to develop essential social-emotional learning, study skills, and self-advocacy.
Deliver core components of the College Access Plan (CAP), guiding students through career exploration, financial aid awareness, and course planning aligned with postsecondary pathways.
Advising about entrance exams & assistance with those, test preparation resources.
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with school administrators, counselors, and teachers to secure referrals and integrate GEAR UP services seamlessly into the school day.
Facilitate necessary parent and guardian communication regarding program services and student progress.
Promote Gear up at functions.
Contribute to the program's overall goal of ensuring 100% of the cohort receives key services (Academic Advising, Mentoring, CAP components) by annual grant deadlines.
Referrals for students to other services & acts a student advocate.
Provides grant related activities such as workshops and college campus visits, academic advising, career exploration and job search, mentoring, tutoring resources, and summer programs.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Six (6) years of experience in academic advising or related field. Every 30 hours of college courseworkin education, counseling, or social services can be substituted for one (1) year ofexperience.

Required License/Certifications/Training:

Valid Kansas drivers license for Trio Talent Search, Trio Talent Search South, Haysville GEAR UP, and TRIO Upward Bound Wichita Prep

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience in implementing programs in middle or high schools.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations affecting low-income students.
• Knowledge of the education systems and assessments in the State of Kansas.
• Strong computer, writing, and oral communication skills.
• Able to analyze problems and resolve conflicts.
• Strong organizational skills and an acute attention to detail are necessary for grant compliance and data management.
• Ability to manage time, deadlines & documentation needs.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working with children in the same age range as 6-12 grades.

Additional Information:

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information.

Additional Physical Requirement:

Ability to drive 7 to 15 passenger van safely & travel distances regularly.
Must be able to escort students on campus visits - which may include lots of walking.
Must be able to attend community and school presentations.
Overnight travel occasionally to trainings and conferences may be required.