College Advisor

New Paradigm For Education; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

New Paradigm For Education (NPFE) seeks a College Advisor to help scholars navigate high school to college, manage the college application, admissions, and financial aid processes, and support transitions from matriculation through graduation. The role emphasizes entrepreneurial, organized, and research-driven approaches.

The ideal candidate brings extensive knowledge of college admissions, financial aid, and state information, plus research, networking, and strong communication skills to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education or assigned content area.
• Experience in high school counseling or college admissions required.

Responsibilities

• Counsel 12th grade students through each step of the college and financial aid applications.
• Provide one-on-one counseling to a caseload of 40-45 seniors through the admissions cycle.
• Work closely with parents/guardians including evening workshops and family meetings.
• Help students access fee waivers, fly-in visits, scholarships, and college programs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with college admissions representatives.
• Assist with SAT (PSAT/SAT) administration and related planning.
• Lead workshops for parents on financial aid planning and college options.

Skills

College counseling knowledge

Communication skills

Networking

Research skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

New Paradigm For Education (NPFE) is a non-profit Charter Management Organization (CMO) composed of educational practitioners, community advocates, and business leaders who have dedicated years of service to children. NPFE serves 2,100 students in Detroit, Michigan. We specialize in maximizing student learning potential through proven education practices and managing all phases of school design, planning, and program implementation.

Why New Paradigm for Education

NPFE is on a mission to ensure that all students in Detroit achieve at the highest levels, supporting educational transformation through increased student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and community support. NPFE’s Mission is to provide a quality education through shared responsibility in a safe supportive environment for all students to meet the needs of a global society. We are committed to excellence and strive to offer a new educational paradigm evident by increased student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and community support.

New Paradigm for Education seeks educators who have a relentless belief that all students, regardless of their race and economic or social circumstances, can perform at high levels, deserve a quality education, have access to high quality instruction and curriculum, and can attain post secondary success. Educators who are driven bv academic achievement, continuous growth, and excel working in a rigorous and supportive environment. We seek culturally responsive educators who have experience working with diverse communities and strong relationship-building skills that they apply to understand their students, families, and communities.

What You’ll Do

NPFE seeks a College Advisor to ensure thatour scholars not just make it to college, but that they make it through college - and beyond. The College Advisor will work with the counseling team, our scholars and their families throughout high school to prepare them for and support them through all elements of the college application, admissions, matriculation and transition processes. The ideal candidate will possess an extensive knowledge of the college admissions and financial aid processes – including relevant state information - as well as the skills necessary to help students be successful in college. Chief among these are entrepreneurialism, systems-driven, organized, relentlessness, creative problem solving, and follow-through. The ideal candidate will also possess research, networking, and communication skills to connect students to unique programs on college campuses. In order to meet these ambitious goals, an ideal candidate must also plan carefully in order to ensure strategic use of time and resources.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, preferable in education or in assigned content area

Previous experience in either high school counseling and/or college admissions field is required

Duties & Responsibilities

College Counseling for a Caseload of Students

Support and guide all 12th grade students through each step of the college and financial aid application process

Provide one‑on‑one college counseling to a caseload of 40-45 seniors through the admissions cycle including, but not limited to: creating a college list, writing and revising the personal statement, advising on financial aid, and making final matriculation decisions

Work closely with parents and guardians of all students on caseload, including evening workshops and meetings for families

Ensure students take advantage of special opportunities made available to low‑income students in the college search and application process (i.e. fee waivers, fly‑in visits, university partner programs and scholarships)

Work closely with the AF College and Alumni Report Card to meet all deadlines and goals related to college partnerships

Building Relationships with Students and Families

Plan and lead workshops for parents on key topics (financial aid planning, different types of institutions, scholarships, etc.) related to the college admissions process

Ensure parents and students comprehend the different application requirements and deadlines, admissions policies and financial aid applications associated with different colleges

Write and manage the collection of Letters of Recommendations for all seniors, including providing professional development and coaching for the Letter of Recommendation writing process for all teachers

College/University Relationship Development

Contact and meet with campus admissions representatives to build positive relationships and market AF applicants

Become familiar with the academic and social environments at the various colleges seniors are considering in an effort to recommend suitable matches

Develop and maintain a robust network of college admission professionals through regular communication and high school visits from colleges and universities that best support first generation, low- income college students

College Department Team Member

Assist with the administration of the SAT assessments (PSAT and SAT)

Attend and give input on planning for overnight college trip for seniors

Work with other members of the school‑based college team to ensure alignment of summer opportunities and collect feedback from Alumni Counselor (when there are eventually alumni)

Assist with specific projects and areas as determined by the Dean of College (based on expertise and knowledge base of college counselor).

Additional duties as assigned

Other School-Based Responsibilities:

Participate in school-wide professional development, grade‑level teams, and school specific duties

Support and participate in school-wide activities and programming

Serve as an advisor for a group of 15-18 students

Other ancillary duties as needed or assigned

The Individual

While there is no single formula for a great team member, our strongest educators do have a few characteristics in common. They are highly motivated and driven by results, extremely organized with an ability to balance deadlines and multiple workstreams, flexible and adaptable to ever changing student needs and work demands, and hold strong written and verbal communication skills. Above all, they possess an enduring belief in the endless potential of all scholars and are committed to going “above and beyond” in the name of student success.