Dual Credit Counselor

Cisco College; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco College in Abilene is seeking a dedicated Dual Credit Counselor to facilitate dual credit enrollment and provide comprehensive support to students. The role involves coordinating with local high schools, developing workshops, and ensuring student success through effective guidance.

The ideal candidate will possess a Master's degree in counseling, excellent interpersonal skills, and experience in educational settings. This position is integral to fostering student achievement and requires a commitment to innovation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required.
• Excellent communication skills are essential.
• Ability to engage and innovate with a diverse student population.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate dual credit enrollment and registration for high school students.
• Facilitate workshops to support students' transition to college.
• Collaborate with ISD personnel for course selection and retention strategies.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Verbal and written communication

Ability to innovate

Technological proficiency

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.