Upward Bound Project Advisor

Muskegon Community College; Muskegon Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Muskegon Community College is seeking a dedicated Upward Bound mentor/coordinator to guide high school students toward post‑secondary success. You will mentor participants, work closely with their families, and help design programs that improve college readiness and academic achievement.

The role emphasizes partnership with TRIO/Upward Bound, delivering workshops, tracking progress, and connecting families with resources to ensure student persistence and success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field required; Master’s preferred in guidance and counseling, education, administration or related field.
• Two years related coaching, mentoring, or related education experience as a including the use of technology to accomplish job tasks.
• Experience with and commitment to the advancement of socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged individuals.
• Prefer previous experience with TRIO/Upward Bound Programs or work with disadvantaged student populations.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a successful team while accomplishing tasks and assignments without assistance, even while multi‑tasking.
• Highly motivated and solution oriented with a high degree of integrity, ethics and dedication to the mission of the College.
• Must be detailed‑oriented, well‑organized, and able to deal effectively with students, community members, and college staff at all levels and handle confidential information appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to people of all ages, races, and social‑economic backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide and develop project services that will be utilized at office and school sites.
• Develop, implement and conduct orientation workshops for participants.
• Organize, develop, and conduct financial aid and other workshops for participants.
• Interview students and prospective students and give advice regarding application process, program requirements, course requirements, etc.
• Monitor students’ attendance, behavior, grades, tests scores, and credits earned; implement improvement strategies and action plans.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student and project files.
• Assess family needs; make appropriate referrals and linkages for family support and prevention services.
• Keep a regular schedule of home visits with Upward Bound families to build trusting relationships with students and families.
• Design and implement, with the Director, after‑school and summer programming.
• Demonstrate personal support for individual students: e.g., phone calls, notes, personal contact during school vacations, etc.
• Devote 100% of scheduled time to Trio/Upward Bound project.
• Some weekend work for community service and overnight trips with students.
• Maintain a congenial, supportive and accepting approach when working with participants.
• Provide academic advising for students; resolve individual admission problems with students and staff.
• Participate in staff development and in‑service training meetings (TRIO meetings).
• Serve on college committees as appointed.
• Refer students to counselors, tutors, or external agencies as appropriate.
• Direct support staff or student assistants as assigned.
• Receive supervision from the Upward Bound Project Director.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Teamwork

Detail-oriented

Well-organized

Confidentiality

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Ethics

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Education or related field

Master’s degree preferred in guidance and counseling, education, administration or related field

Job description

Muskegon Community College is a center for lifelong learning that helps people attain their educational goals by offering programs that respond to individual, community, and global needs. MCC is an associate degree-granting institution of higher education and an applied technology leader for high-tech, hands‑on training.

With nearly a 100-year history of academic excellence, MCC is a public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. With robust student success support, free tutoring, 20 athletic teams, events, clubs, and activities, MCC has an annual, full‑time equated student enrollment of approximately 2,300 and an unduplicated headcount of 5,100.

Most recently, Muskegon Community College outranked all other colleges in Michigan for the rate of students who received federal financial aid and then transferred to continue their education at a four‑year institution. The college’s transfer‑out rate was the highest in Michigan, 7 percentage points above the state average, and outpaced the average transfer rate across the nation.

The College has an annual operating budget (general fund) of $51 million and employs about 210 regular full and part‑time staff and many adjunct faculty and student assistants. The College also offers 52 Associate degree programs and 24 certificate programs.

The main campus is located on a 111‑acre campus in Muskegon which includes the Hendrik Meijer Library & Information Technology Center, Bartels‑Rode Gymnasium, Frauenthal Foundation Fine Arts Center (including the Overbrook Theater and Art Gallery), Stevenson Center, the Science Center, the Health and Wellness Center, Art & Music Building, and MCC Golf Course.

Muskegon Community College also operates the Sturrus Technology Center and Fab Lab in downtown Muskegon and extension centers in Ottawa and Newaygo Counties.

Living in Muskegon County

Muskegon County residents enjoy 26 miles of sugar‑sand beaches along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, as well as one of America’s only luge tracks at the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park and the regionally popular Michigan’s Adventure Amusement & Water Park. An outdoor recreation hub with three state parks and swimming, fishing and boating on its many lakes and rivers, the Muskegon area offers dynamic downtown and beachfront restaurant and entertainment venues. The Muskegon Farmer’s Market is the second largest in Michigan. Cruise ships dock in Muskegon, while a high‑speed ferry connects the city to Milwaukee. Notable local museums range from rare art collections to an actual World War II submarine and a U.S. Navy ship used during D‑Day.

Unofficial Transcripts must be submitted when applying to be considered.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open until filled - first reviews on Monday, September 7, 2026

Salary

up to $43,000 depending on experience

General Description

Mentor and monitor Upward Bound student participants; work intensively with their families to help the students attain success through high school; and prepare students for entry into post‑secondary education.

Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field from an accredited college or university; Master’s degree preferred in guidance and counseling, education, administration or a related field.
• Two years related coaching, mentoring, or related education experience as a including the use of technology to accomplish job tasks. Ability and willingness to upgrade skills including technology or process changes.
• Experience with and commitment to the advancement of socially, economically, and educationally disadvantaged individuals.
• Prefer previous experience with TRIO/Upward Bound Programs or work with disadvantaged student populations.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a successful team while accomplishing tasks and assignments without assistance, even while multi‑tasking.
• Highly motivated and solution oriented with a high degree of integrity, ethics and dedication to the mission of the College.
• Must be detailed‑oriented, well‑organized, and able to deal effectively with students, community members, and college staff at all levels and handle confidential information appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to create a warm, welcoming environment to students, parents, faculty/staff and community members especially during busy/chaotic times.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to people of all ages, races, and social‑economic backgrounds.

Essential Function

• Provide and develop project services that will be utilized at office and school sites.
• Develop, implement and conduct orientation workshops for participants.
• Organize, develop, and conduct financial aid and other workshops for participants.
• Interview students and prospective students and give advice regarding application process, program requirements, course requirements, etc.
• Monitor students’ attendance, behavior, grades, tests scores, and credits earned; implement improvement strategies and action plans.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student and project files.
• Assess family needs; make appropriate referrals and linkages for family support and prevention services.
• Keep a regular schedule of home visits with Upward Bound families to build trusting relationships with students and families.
• Design and implement, with the Director, after‑school and summer programming.
• Demonstrate personal support for individual students: e.g., phone calls, notes, personal contact during school vacations, etc.
• Devote 100% of scheduled time to Trio/Upward Bound project.
• Some weekend work for community service and overnight trips with students.
• Maintain a congenial, supportive and accepting approach when working with participants.
• Provide academic advising for students; resolve individual admission problems with students and staff.
• Participate in staff development and in‑service training meetings (TRIO meetings).
• Serve on college committees as appointed.
• Refer students to counselors, tutors, or external agencies as appropriate.
• Direct support staff or student assistants as assigned.
• Receive supervision from the Upward Bound Project Director.
• Other duties as assigned.

Mental Demands

• Detailed Work
• Student Contact
• Deadline oriented
• Problem Situations
• Multiple Priorities & Demands
• Emergency Situations
• Confidentiality
• On‑call Availability
• Continual Interruptions
• Working Alone
• Faculty Contact
• Working with Others

Physical Demands

• Standing & Walking
• Sitting
• Reclining
• Carrying
• Lifting up to 10 lbs.
• Up to 25 lbs.
• Up to 50 lbs.
• 80 + lbs.
• Pushing, Pulling, Twisting, Bending
• Climb or Balance
• Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, or Crawl
• Squatting
• Handle or Feel
• Reach with Hands and Arms
• Talking or hearing
• Tasting/Smelling
• Working Overhead
• Speak in English via Phone or In Person
• Close, Distance, Peripheral, and Color Vision along with Depth Perceptions
• Ability to Adjust and Focus

Work Environment

• Exposure to wet, humid conditions (non‑weather), fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme heat/cold; and moderate to loud noise levels.
• Normal Office environment with little, if, any, discomfort due to heat, dust, noise and the like. Ability to travel to all campus locations required.

Muskegon Community College is an equal opportunity employer. MCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, political persuasion, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or any other protected class in any of its educational programs, activities or employment. Minorities, women, veterans, and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply. To the extent required by applicable law, anyone with a disability will be reasonably accommodated by the College. If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance in applying for this position, please contact the Human Resources Office.

Job Location: Muskegon, Michigan, United States. Position Type: Full‑Time/Regular