The School of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Upward Bound office is a federally funded Title IV TRIO program whose purpose is to identify, select, and assist high school students with their academic potential. The Program Associate, Upward Bound Program facilitates school, family, and community support for Upward Bound participants, develops and facilitates academic and summer component curriculums, and monitors participant academic progress. This position is expected to recruit students, form/maintain healthy partnerships with existing and new school partners, and manage the onboarding process of new students and families. This individual reports to the Manager, Upward Bound Program.
The Program Associate for the Upward Bound Program provides operational coordination and management on behalf of the program. Serving as a key point of contact for faculty, staff, students, and university stakeholders, this role answers inquiries and provides functional administrative support—including enrollment guidance, event planning, budget tracking, web/marketing support, and report preparation. Operating under general supervision, the position also recommends policy and procedural updates to assist in maintaining standard operational efficiencies.
Responsibilities Include:
- Lead recruitment and outreach efforts to identify and enroll eligible 8th–12th grade high school participants. Review applications, interview candidates, evaluate transcripts, and verify eligibility per U.S. Department of Education guidelines.
- Coordinate orientation and onboarding for incoming students, families, staff, and faculty.
- Develop personal education plans, deliver academic/career counseling, guide goal setting, explain university policies, and provide social interventions and mentorship.
- Design and execute college readiness, career development, and academic workshops, seminars, and classes.
- Direct program tutorial services, match tutors to students, and monitor academic progress.
- Plan, schedule, and chaperone program events, activities, field trips, and college tours (including occasional overnight travel).
- Utilize technology and social media to communicate with and engage current and prospective students.
- Administer assessment tools to gather participant/family feedback and conduct program evaluations for annual reporting.
- Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and may lead/delegate duties to instructors, tutors, student workers, and support staff.
- Collaborate with the Program Associate Director and Program Director to design faculty professional development.
- Serve as the primary liaison between Upward Bound and parents, school personnel, university offices, and community representatives.
- Establish community partnerships, engage local mentors, and oversee the Parental Advisory Board, mentorship initiatives, and parent communications.
- Assist with grant writing, prepare budget requests, and manage program data.
- Represent the program at campus, state, regional, and national meetings and functions.
Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.