Dual Credit Counselor

Abilene Regional Growth Alliance; Abilene (TX); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco College seeks a Dual Credit Counselor to support high school partnerships, provide academic advisement, and guide students through enrollment and registration processes for dual credit programs. The role collaborates with ISD personnel to align course schedules and ensure successful student transitions to higher education.

The counselor will deliver workshops and outreach to diverse student populations, maintaining current knowledge of applicable state rules and program requirements.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in counseling or related field.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated professionalism.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to gain new technological skills as may be required by changing technology.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Willingness to innovate and engage a varied student population, including communication and outreach in all formats, individually and in groups.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates dual credit enrollment, early admissions and registration with local high school students to support technical and academic pathways to college.
• Collaborates with ISD staff to develop schedules, exchange student information, and ensure appropriate course selections.
• Facilitates student retention and degree progress through training for ISD counselors and coordinators on college programs and services.
• Advises home school students and families on degree plans and assists with college applications and registration.
• Develops and presents workshops to support students transitioning to college courses and coordinates with Academic Support staff.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal & written communication

Professionalism

Confidentiality

Technological adaptability

Education

Master's degree in counseling or related field

Job description

Mission & Purpose:

The Mission of Cisco College is to provide quality, affordable, educational opportunities to meet the diverse academic, technical and career needs of the students and communities we serve. As a member of the Texas state system of publicly supported institutions of higher education, Cisco College maintains an open-door admissions policy and provides an array of educational programs offered at two primary locations, Cisco and Abilene, in addition to many offcampus sites. Cisco strives for an institutional culture of innovation, collaboration, faculty and staff empowerment and recognition, and an openness to change that underscores our commitment to a shared mission and vision.

Core Values:

Cisco College facilitates student success by ensuring open-door access to diverse educational opportunities, embracing innovation and best practices, and providing effective student support. Cisco College insists on excellence in our programs, instruction, services, management, and learning environment.

Guiding Principles:

Learning, Respect, Integrity, Communication, Cooperation, Joy, and Innovation

Role of the Dual Credit Counselor:

The Dual Credit Counselor must be committed to the role of the community college and the Cisco College Mission. The Counselor provides a broad spectrum of support services to dual credit students and collaborates with ISDs and Cisco College faculty and staff. These services include but are not limited to academic advisement, enrollment and registration assistance, and strategies designed to enhance students’ dual credit experience, and support students’ transition to the postsecondary environment.

Dual Credit Counselor’s Team:

The Counselor works collaboratively with the Cisco College Dual Credit staff and counselors. The Counselor works closely with Deans and chairs/directors, and reports to the Director of Dual Credit Programs.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates dual credit enrollment, early admissions and registration functions with local high school students for technical and academic pathways to college; works with the Director of Dual Credit Programs to develop, improve, and implement college processes to support dual credit and institutional enrollment and service goals.
• Works closely with ISD personnel including counselors, coordinators, principals, and superintendents to establish course schedules, exchange student and school information, and ensure appropriate course selections for schools and students.
• Works closely with ISD counselors and coordinators to facilitate student retention and prioritize core, certificate, or degree progress; works with the Director of Dual Credit Programs to provide training for ISD counselors and coordinators on college programs, pathways, and services including coordination with educational service centers whenever possible.
• Works closely with home school students and their families to advise on degree plans and to facilitate application to the college, registration for classes, and support with coursework.
• Develops, facilitates, and/or presents workshops designed to support students transitioning to college courses; coordinates with Academic Support personnel to provide these workshops and information when applicable.
• Meets with individual families of prospective students to offer guidance and to provide information and services to include college preparedness, academic advising, registration in courses, counseling, and student activities.
• Maintains current knowledge of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules pertaining to the Texas Success Initiative, course transferability, dual credit, FAST, and college preparatory courses at the high school level.
• Maintains current knowledge of Texas Education Administration programs including PTECH and CTE pathways.
• Collaborates with the instructional divisions at the college and dual credit faculty to provide student success and serve as a liaison between dual credit students and faculty and staff.
• Represents the college and disseminates appropriate information about the college to prospective students and community partners.
• Works with the Registrar/Director of Admissions in implementing, maintaining, and using the electronic data system to identify and recruit students, to track and communicate with students during the application process, and to assist applicants in the admissions and registration process.
• Works cooperatively to provide appropriate data for purposes of reporting, institutional research, and institutional effectiveness.
• Works with the Director of Dual Credit Programs to keep college administrators, staff and instructors informed of relevant issues relating to high schools and dual credit students; keeps high school personnel informed of relevant issues relating to dual credit students and the college as outlined in the high school partner MOU.
• Organizes and trains high school observers and facilitators to ensure effectiveness of these support roles for the high school and the college; works collaboratively with and is crosstrained by Distance Education related to Canvas access for observers and facilitators (ObservEd).
• Monitors student progress to ensure students' success in courses and to maintain timely academic progress.
• Travels to visit each partner ISD at least once each semester to help new students apply to Cisco College and to help new and returning students register for courses.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications and Experience for the Dual Credit Counselor: Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in counseling or related field.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated professionalism.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to gain new technological skills as may be required by changing technology.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Willingness to innovate and engage a varied student population, including communication and outreach in all formats, individually and in groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Higher Education teaching or counseling experience.
• Dual credit experience at the college and/or high school level.