Regional Postsecondary Pathways Coordinator

Appalachian State University; Boone (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Appalachian State University is seeking a Regional Postsecondary Pathways Coordinator to coordinate postsecondary health workforce pathways across Region 3. The role partners with community colleges, university programs, apprenticeships, and local employers to map pathways, support transitions, and align education with workforce needs in Boone and surrounding counties.

Some travel across Region 3 is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., higher education, student services, workforce development, public health, health sciences, social work, counseling, business, education).
• At least two years of experience in postsecondary advising, workforce development, employer engagement, career services, or related work.
• Strong communication, coordination, documentation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to travel across Region 3 (Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union Counties).

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of coordinated postsecondary health workforce pathways across Region 3 (Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union Counties).
• Facilitate alignment among community colleges, Appalachian State academic programs, four-year institutions, apprenticeship programs, certificate programs, and workforce partners to strengthen learner progression and reduce barriers to transition.
• Support pathway mapping, articulation, transfer planning, and cross-sector alignment to expand access to health professions education and employment opportunities.
• Coordinate regional strategies that connect educational experiences to workforce outcomes and support sustainable talent pipelines.

Skills

Communication skills

Coordination

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Position Title

Regional Postsecondary Pathways Coordinator

Location

Boone, NC

Department

Office of Rural Promise - 240105

Primary Purpose

The Postsecondary Pathways Coordinator coordinates postsecondary academic and workforce pathways in Region 3, including community college transitions, university pathways, apprenticeships, scholar and fellow programs, certificate pathways, training‑site connections, and employer placement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in higher education, student services, workforce development, public health, health sciences, social work, counseling, business, education, or a related field.
• At least two years of experience in postsecondary advising, workforce development, employer engagement, career services, community college partnerships, transfer support, student services, or related work.
• Strong communication, coordination, documentation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to travel across Region 3 (Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union Counties).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience with community college transfer, health professions education, apprenticeships, work‑based learning, NCWorks, Career Centers, rural workforce placement, or employer partnerships.
• Knowledge of Region 3 postsecondary institutions and employer networks.
• Experience tracking student progression, placements, or workforce outcomes.

License/Certification Required

No license or certification is required. Project management, workforce development, public health, clinical, or related certifications may be preferred where applicable.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

POSTSECONDARY PATHWAY DEVELOPMENT & COORDINATION

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of coordinated postsecondary health workforce pathways across Region 3 (Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union Counties).
• Facilitate alignment among community colleges, Appalachian State academic programs, four‑year institutions, apprenticeship programs, certificate programs, and workforce partners to strengthen learner progression and reduce barriers to transition.
• Support pathway mapping, articulation, transfer planning, and cross‑sector alignment to expand access to health professions education and employment opportunities.
• Coordinate regional strategies that connect educational experiences to workforce outcomes and support sustainable talent pipelines.

STUDENT TRANSITION, NAVIGATION, & PLACEMENT

• Support student and trainee navigation across postsecondary education, work‑based learning, and employment pathways.
• Coordinate opportunities including scholar and fellow programs, apprenticeships, clinical or experiential learning, paid work‑based learning, certificate pathways, and early‑career placement initiatives.
• Identify and expand training‑site and placement capacity through collaboration with educational and employer partners.
• Develop strategies to strengthen learner persistence, transition success, rural placement, and workforce retention.

PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community colleges, university partners, NCWorks and Career Centers, employers, training sites, Vaya partners, faculty, advisors, and regional stakeholders.
• Facilitate regional engagement activities to identify workforce needs and align educational pathways with labor market demand.
• Represent Appalachian State in regional workforce and pathway initiatives and support implementation of collaborative regional strategies.

DATA, REPORTING & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Track and monitor pathway participation, transfer activity, training‑site utilization, placement outcomes, and workforce retention indicators.
• Support collection, analysis, and reporting of grant and program performance measures.
• Develop recommendations for process improvements and pathway enhancement based on regional data and stakeholder feedback.
• Support documentation, compliance requirements, and regional implementation workgroups.

CROSS-SECTION ALIGNMENT & REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION

• Coordinate with the K‑12 and Youth Pathways Coordinator to ensure seamless transition from youth engagement activities into postsecondary opportunities.
• Contribute to regional planning, implementation, and sustainability efforts to strengthen long‑term health workforce outcomes.
• Support strategic initiatives of the Office of Rural Promise and regional grant objectives.

OTHER

Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

This position primarily involves office and computer‑based work, including prolonged periods of sitting, typing, reading, virtual meetings, document review, and project communication. The position may require occasional travel to partner sites, schools, community colleges, healthcare organizations, meetings, and regional convenings. Occasional lifting or transport of meeting materials and supplies up to 20 pounds may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.