Student Success Specialist (MESA) (75%)

Foothill-De Anza Community College District; Los Altos (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Foothill College is seeking a Student Success Specialist (MESA) to support recruitment, outreach, and ongoing student services through the MESA program. Reporting to the MESA director, the role emphasizes student success, transfer readiness, and collaboration with campus and community partners.

The position is 75% FTE (30 hours per week) with in-person requirements. Starting salary is $4,586.09 per month, with a full salary range up to $6,142.44 per month, plus benefits.

Qualifications

• Enrollment, evaluation, and student support services knowledge.
• Ability to plan and conduct outreach, workshops, and events.
• Experience coordinating programs with campus and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Provides enrollment, evaluation, and student support services to promote student success.
• Organizes and coordinates outreach activities, workshops, and events.
• Develops partnerships to increase resources for students and programs.
• Goes with students one-on-one to assist with resumes, transfer applications, scholarships, and career planning.
• Maintains data records, reports, and communications for the program.
• Supervises and coordinates MESA Center activities and staff as needed.

Job description

Student Success Specialist (MESA) (75%)

Foothill-De Anza Community College District

Salary: See Position Description

Job Type: Full Time - Classified

Job Number: 26-037 (R05448)

Location: Foothill College, CA

Department: Science Learning Institute (SLI)

Closing: Continuous

Bargaining Unit: ACE

Description

Initial Review Date:11/19/2026*

*For full-consideration, all application packets must be received by 11:59 pm on the closing date.

Salary Grade: C1-48

Starting Salary: $4,586.09 (per month) plus benefits

Full Salary Range: $4,586.09 - $6,142.44 (per month)

This position is 75% FTE, equivalent to 30 hours per week.

The Foothill-De Anza Community College District is currently accepting applications for the part-time classified position above.

The Foothill - De Anza Community College District does not have a remote work policy. All employees are expected to be available to work in person and on-site per the requirement of the department.

All interviewing costs incurred by applicant are the responsibility of the applicant.

Foothill - De Anza Community College District Mission Statement:

The mission of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District is student success and educational excellence. The district and its colleges provide access to affordable, quality educational programs and services that develop a broadly educated and socially responsible community that supports an equitable and just future for California and the global community. Every member of our district contributes to a dynamic instructional and learning environment that fosters student engagement, equal opportunity, and innovation in meeting the various educational and career goals of our diverse students. Foothill-De Anza is driven by an equity agenda and core values of integrity, inclusion, care for our students' well-being, and sustainability.

Foothill College Mission Statement:

Embracing inclusivity and building strong communities, Foothill College serves diverse learners and equips its students with critical thinking skills to address complex societal challenges, to thrive in the global workforce, and to engage in a life of inquiry.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the MESA director, this individual is responsible for providing recruitment, outreach, and ongoing student support services to promote student success and awareness of and participation in the Foothill College MESA program by students who meet the eligibility requirements. Some of the responsibilities include:

• Researching and sharing resources for study skills in STEM classes and STEM careers.
• Organizing and implementing workshops, field trips, and other activities that increase exposure of academic and career tracks in STEM.
• Supporting partnerships both on and off campus that increase resources for MESA students to support student recruitment, retention, and success.
• Meeting with students one on one to provide support in developing organization and time management skills, resumes, applications for transfer, internships, scholarships, and programs, and other areas specific to transfer and career readiness.
• Conducting outreach and in-reach activities to increase participation in MESA activities and programs supporting data entry, tracking, reporting and presenting about the MESA program both internally in the community.
• Supporting supervision of the MESA Center, along with the MESA staff team, including at least once a week closing the center.

The position will require in-person presence to assist with supervision of the MESA Center and in-person meetings with students. A consistent work schedule will be set up each quarter, not to exceed 30 hours per week. The position will require some flexibility to work on weekends or events for field trips, conferences, or evening events - these will be organized with advance notice.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, provides guidance and designs and delivers services to prospective and current students including performing enrollment, evaluation, and student support services and planning, organizing, coordinating, and facilitating outreach activities, workshops, and events to promote District and college academic, student services, and campus resources; collaborates and partners with College and District divisions, departments, and programs, community agencies, and other educational institutions; assists in providing support and guidance to faculty and staff regarding College policies and regulations pertinent to assigned areas of responsibility; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned managerial staff. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a journey-level classification responsible for providing enrollment, evaluation, outreach, and student support services to promote student success and awareness of and participation in College and District programs, academic opportunities, and services. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Successful performance of the work requires thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, eligibility requirements, and application processes of the assigned programs.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

When performing all assignments:

1. Provides technical information, assistance, and support services to students, instructors, administrators, and the general public regarding District and College policies and procedures related to enrollment, admissions, academic opportunities, and student services and programs.
2. Organizes, coordinates, and implements assigned programs or services; leads others as necessary to accomplish program or functional objectives.
3. Establishes partnerships, collaborates, and exchanges information with other District and college divisions, departments, and programs, community agencies, and other educational institutions to support student recruitment, retention, and success.
4. Advices and serves as a resource for prospective and current students, staff, faculty, and the community on District and college programs, student services, and resources such as, but not limited to, enrollment, orientation, matriculation, financial aid, housing, international student services, testing and assessment, and/or counseling; identifies and addresses issues to ensure student access to programs, services, and resources.
5. Compiles and organizes event, program, and/or student data as needed; prepares reports according to established procedures and practices.
6. Trains and provides work direction and guidance to assigned student workers; prepares work schedules, assigns duties, and reviews work for accuracy and completeness; ensures student understanding of and adherence to established standards, policies, and procedures.
7. Responds to inquiries and requests for information; interprets and applies regulations, policies, procedures, systems, rules, and precedents in response to inquiries and requests.
8. Creates and maintains records and files in accordance with District and program guidelines for reporting and auditing purposes.
9. Designs, creates, and edits a variety of materials and informational resources, including forms, presentations, flyers, correspondence, letters, memos, and reports; reviews and verifies accuracy of information.
10. Maintains communication resources including websites, social media, event schedules, and listservs.
11. Maintains assigned student information systems; monitors data for accuracy and compliance with federal and state regulations and District policies and procedures; may assist in configuring and troubleshooting technical problems for assigned information systems.
12. Performs a variety of office and customer support duties such as scheduling, attending, and/or participating in meetings; registering, dropping, and/or adding students to programs and/or services; scanning documents and files; and receiving and screening calls and visitors and providing information or directing to appropriate locations and/or staff.
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

In addition, when performing outreach services:

1. Plans, organizes, coordinates, promotes, and facilitates outreach activities, workshops, informational seminars and presentations, conferences, fairs, campus tours, and social and cultural events by participating in development of outreach plans and schedules; coordinating logistics and planning including room reservations, audiovisual equipment, technical support, and room set-up; coordinating marketing and promotional activities; overseeing registration and collection of fees; scheduling and confirming speakers and presenters; developing and monitoring assigned budget; and preparing presentations and informational resources and materials.
2. Facilitates college and program enrollment including assisting students with application completion, proctoring exams, and providing advice and guidance on college and District programs, academic opportunities, and services.
3. Monitors, orders, maintains adequate inventory levels of outreach materials; monitors assigned budget and expenditures.

In addition, when performing enrollment and evaluation services:

1. Assists students on academic/progress probation by removing holds and adding, dropping, and waitlisting students for classes; places and releases holds on student accounts for probation and disqualification purposes, as well as for students who have not completed the required prerequisite courses; maintains disqualification and probation student lists; notifies students of their status following Title V regulations
2. Coordinates with counselors to create educational plans for students; monitors student enrollment and academic status; advises students on courses as needed.
3. Prepares and processes Academic Council petitions; attends meetings; notifies students of the Academic Council or designated decisions; assists students in preparing petitions.