Director, College Completion

ABOUT US

At Chicago Collegiate, you are part of a Pride comprised of hard-working professionals, our scholars, our families, and the broader far South Side of Chicago community. Every day is an opportunity to grow, and you will be inspired to constantly learn and improve. You will be part of a world-changing experience as we embark on a journey in pursuit of supporting our scholars to and through college. Read more...

For the 2019-20 school year, we will employ approximately 50 staff members and serve approximately 500 students in grades 4-11, adding grade 12 the following year. 

ABOUT THE POSITION

Oversee and execute college completion vision, goals, and plans:

• Drive the work necessary to ensure every scholar receives at least two letters of acceptance to a four-year university of their choice, and 100% of our scholars graduate from college within 6 years of their start date.  
  
• Internalize, execute and continue development on the vision mapping and framework created for our college completion work. Initiate the first phases for our 9th and 10th grade scholars.
  
• Identify the potential roadblocks or hurdles we face with our college completion work and begin contingency planning.
  

Drive a strong college completion culture:

• Create and nurture a strong college-readiness culture within the school, building opportunities for both students and families to be emotionally and socially prepared for college life.
  
• Create systems and structures to help scholars connect the work they're doing to the impact it has on college readiness (e.g. college admission requirements, scholarship/grant requirements, student financial aid, etc.).
  
• Build out the support process for our scholars when they begin the college application process (e.g. schools that align to their needs/interests, recommendation letter process, compiling and sending transcripts, financial aid education, reviewing and understanding award letters, etc.).
  
• Monitor and build robust in- and out-of-school programming (including internships and summer experiences) that ensure our scholars are attractive to colleges across the country.
  
• Act as a counselor for 8th grade scholars as they go through the high school selection process.
  

Monitor and track progress:

• Track, monitor, and analyze relevant data regarding students' progress; create and implement interventions for students "not on track" for college graduation.
  
• Coordinate with the principal and leadership team to provide updates on what the data is saying about our graduation rate, readiness for college, etc. and offer solutions for obstacles and challenges we are facing.
  
• Hold school leaders and teachers accountable to next steps and unique actions for scholars who are at risk for graduation/college readiness.
  
• Research and take initial steps to ensure a process is in place to support and track scholars' progress as they navigate college, which includes customized support plans while in college.  
  
• Create/update data systems to track scholars' progress toward college completion, identifying those who are not on track and allowing staff and mentors to work with those scholars to get them on track.
  

Invest others in the work:

• Build and sustain relationships with college admission representatives and college access organizations.
  
• Participate in national/regional programs and conferences designed to broaden college placement options for our scholars.
  
• Provide whole school and individualized professional development related to the work and how our staff plays a role in this work.
  

ABOUT YOU
Must-Haves

• Relationship builder via a wide-range of constituents both internal (students, staff, and families) and external (colleges, community groups, volunteers, etc.).
  
• Strong project planning skills and overall strategic planning skills, aligned to network priorities and goals.
  
• Relentless planner and prioritizer.
  
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a strong ability to handle multiple projects at once with many moving parts.
  
• Unwavering belief in our mission and experience working with urban and/or low-income communities.
  
• Strong communication and influencing skills that move people to action.
  
• Growth mindset about yourself and others.
  
• Ability to work autonomously and take initiative with little to no guidance.
  

Nice-to-Haves

• Pattern of results working with urban and/or low-income communities.
  
• Ability to deliver and receive feedback; deeply caring about others while also challenging directly.
  
• Proven track record of on-your-feet thinking and ability to quickly problem solve.
  
• Existing relationships and/or knowledge of local colleges and universities and/or college access organizations.
  
• Proficiency with Naviance (or other similar college counseling platform).
  
• Previous classroom or school experience or in a similar "college completion" role.
  

SALARY & BENEFITS
Compensation and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
Chicago Collegiate is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin and are an equal opportunity employer.