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

University of South Carolina is seeking a GEAR UP Regional Coordinator to drive college readiness across the Midlands, Pee Dee, and Lowcountry regions. You will coordinate FAFSA efforts, scholarship planning, and postsecondary activities while partnering with schools, families, and higher education.

This role is field-based with travel throughout South Carolina, aiming to empower underserved students to persist in college and achieve postsecondary goals.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in education or related discipline.
• At least three years of teaching, counseling, college access, student affairs, or related experience 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.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate college readiness programming, FAFSA and financial aid initiatives, scholarship and postsecondary planning activities, and GEAR UP Freshman services.
• Serve as liaison between schools, families, communities, and higher education institutions to support student persistence in college.
• Travel regularly throughout the assigned service region to deliver program services and build partnerships.

Skills

Public schools experience

College access knowledge

FAFSA/financial aid knowledge

Partnership building

Communication with families

Cultural competency

Travel coordination

Education

Master's degree in education or related discipline

Job description

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

Department: CED College of Education

Part/Full Time: Full Time

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.

Preferred Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• 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 Close Date: 11/20/2026

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.