GEAR UP Regional Coordinator (Midlands, Pee Dee, & Lowcountry Regions)

University of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of South Carolina seeks a GEAR UP Regional Coordinator for the Midlands, Pee Dee, and Lowcountry regions. This field-based role requires travel across South Carolina, with a 37.5-hour workweek and a flexible schedule to meet department needs.

The coordinator forges partnerships with schools, families, and higher education institutions to expand college access and success opportunities. Responsibilities include coordinating college readiness programs, FAFSA and financial aid

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience.
• Preferred qualifications include Master’s degree in education or related discipline.
• Experience with GEAR UP, TRIO, or related federally funded programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure GEAR UP activities take place in assigned schools and coordinate training and programs for staff, students, and families.
• Plan and implement workshops for students, teachers, and parents/families on college readiness and financial aid; coach faculty at schools.
• Facilitate data collection for the Annual Performance Report and prepare scheduled reports.
• Serve on county GEAR UP partnership advisory boards and mentor GEAR UP students.

Skills

Public relations

Organizational skills

Travel coordination

Partnership building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

GEAR UP Regional Coordinator (Midlands, Pee Dee, & Lowcountry Regions)

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

We are only accepting applications submitted by November 20, 2026.

Posting Details

Posting Number | RTF00243PO26

USC Market Title | Program Coordinator

Link to USC Market Title | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156370

Business Title (Internal Title) | GEAR UP Regional Coordinator (Midlands, Pee Dee, & Lowcountry Regions)

Campus | Columbia

Work County | Richland

College/Division | College of Education

Department | CED College of Education

Anticipated Hiring Range | Salary commensurate with qualifications.

Location of Vacancy | This is a field based position.

Part/Full Time | Full Time

Hours per Week | 37.5

Work Schedule | Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

This is a field based position requiring travel between the assigned GEAR UP SC schools in the state of South Carolina. It may require evening, overnight, and/or weekend hours, along with travel to target counties and communities. Must have the personal resources to travel to multiple educational institutions (mileage will be reimbursed).

Type of Staff Position | Staff Research Grant (SRGP)

Basis | 12 months

Job Search Category | Other Professional

About USC

About University of South Carolina | From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below

The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

South Carolina Retirement | Yes

State Insurance Programs | Yes

Annual Leave | Yes

Sick Leave | Yes

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary | Join the University of South Carolina’s GEAR UP South Carolina team and make a lasting impact on the educational futures of students across the Midlands, Pee Dee, and Lowcountry regions of South Carolina. The GEAR UP Regional Coordinator serves as a key liaison between schools, families, communities, and higher education institutions, providing college access and success support to students from underserved communities. This position coordinates college readiness programming, FAFSA and financial aid initiatives, scholarship and postsecondary planning activities, and GEAR UP Freshman (13th Year) services designed to help students successfully transition to and persist in college. The ideal candidate is passionate about educational opportunity, skilled at building partnerships, and committed to empowering students and families to achieve their postsecondary goals. This field-based position requires regular travel throughout the assigned service region and offers the opportunity to positively influence students and families across multiple regions of South Carolina.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience | Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications | Master’s degree in education or related discipline. At least three years of teaching, counseling, college access, student affairs, educational outreach, or related experience working with middle school, high school, or first-year college students. Experience with FAFSA completion initiatives, financial aid advising, college access programs, GEAR UP, TRIO, or related federally funded programs.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities | Experience working in public schools and with educational organizations. Knowledge of college admissions requirements, post-secondary education pathways, financial aid processes. FAFSA completion requirements, scholarship opportunities, and student persistence strategies. Experience assisting students and families with college and financial aid planning. Strong public relations and outstanding organizational skills. Ability to establish rapport with both adults and adolescents. Capable of working well and communicating effectively with students, staff, community partners, and students’ family members in various large and small settings. Demonstrates cultural competency and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds of our students and community.

Job Duties

• Ensure that all GEAR UP required activities take place in assigned schools. Coordinate and implement training and programs that enhance preparation for postsecondary education for school administrators, teachers, students, and families during the academic year and summer. Support college access initiatives through financial aid awareness, FAFSA completion activities, scholarship planning, and postsecondary enrollment efforts.
• Plan and implement student, teacher, and parent/family development workshops, including college readiness, financial aid, FAFSA completion, and postsecondary success programming. Coach and develop faculty at assigned schools. Establish collaboration with community-based organizations, postsecondary institutions, and assigned schools. Coordinate outreach and support services for GEAR UP Freshman (13th Year) participants to promote successful transition, persistence, and retention in postsecondary education.
• Facilitates data collection from partner schools for the Annual Performance Report. Responsible for creating and submitting scheduled reports.
• Serve on selected county GEAR UP partnership advisory boards.
• Serve as a mentor and positive role model to GEAR UP students.

Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category | Non-Essential

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. | No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies | 1

Desired Start Date | 12/01/2026

Position End Date |

Job Open Date | 10/19/2026

Job Close Date | 11/20/2026

Open Until Filled | No

Special Instructions to Applicant | Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by November 20, 2026.

Quicklink for Posting | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/214720

EEO Statement | The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.

Supplemental Questions

1. * Do you have at least a Bachelor's Degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Do you have experience with training or teaching? Please explain.
   (Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Letter of Recommendation 1
3. Resume

Optional Documents

1. Other Supporting Documents