Program Manager, Black Student Success

General Summary

This posting will remain open until filled. Priority screening for applications received by August 11, 2024.

The Black Student Success Program Manager supports Highline College students who identify as Black, African, or African American.

The program manager provides holistic academic advising and navigation of college systems to Black / African community college students to support their retention and success.

The program manager guides new students in their transition to college by teaching students to explore and connect interests, values, skills and goals with academic program offerings and future transfer or career opportunities.

The program manager provides Black / African-centered programming and advising to ensure Black / African / community support and celebration.

They develop proactive Black / African / African-centered strategies to engage students in career exploration, educational planning and remaining on track to completion of requirements.

The program manager provides services on student-friendly schedules and understands and supports the needs of students balancing work, school and family responsibilities.

This position is an exempt, at-will, full-time position.

Essential Tasks

Reporting to the Director of Cultural Learning Communities, this position will be responsible for :

Black / African / African Programming :

• Oversee and develop partnerships with area high schools to raise awareness of Highline’s Umoja program;
• Facilitate communication and outreach within Highline among faculty, students, and staff about the Umoja program with the goal of increasing internal referrals;
• Oversee, develop, and implement a specific outreach and recruitment program for Umoja, including marketing, outreach and orientation;
• Manage Umoja student applications and screening processes;
• Develop and manage cultural programming that celebrates Black / African / African / Black / African identity and ways of knowing;
• Work closely with Learning Communities staff to ensure Black / African / African / Black / African cultural visibility and representation on campus;
• Develop cost estimates and plan and project future program needs; develop budget requests or revisions;
• Work closely with Umoja Community to plan events for the Umoja Community and campus wide events;
• Meet regularly with on-campus core team to ensure goals of projects are on track, develop programming, materials, and resources that center Black / African students in Pathway Advising;
• Advocate for campus conditions that support Black / African Student Success.

Advising :

• Develop and manage an advising framework that includes programming to connect Black / African / African-identifying students with college communities, resources, and supports to enhance their educational experience with a sense of belonging and Black / African pride;
• Develop strategies that will prepare students for first year success by fostering relationships and collaborating with the Transitions Success Center, Entry Advising and Admissions to identify and welcome Black / African / African students to Highline College.
• This includes collaborating with the leaders of ELCAP to identify Black / African / African students and help be a bridge for preparing to transition to credit-bearing classes;
• Remain in constant communication with the Outreach and Recruitment team to ensure seamless transitions from high school to Highline College.
• This may include high school visits when necessary;
• Partner with Umoja and Promise Learning Communities in supporting campus events for celebration of Black / African Scholarship, Excellence and Joy;
• Use proactive strategies to engage students in early career exploration, educational planning and remaining on track to completion.
• Advising may be conducted in groups, on an individual basis, via email / phone or video conference / Zoom, Canvas courses, and through programming / outreach;
• Collaborate with Outreach to provide holistic academic advising to incoming and current college students. Teach students to explore academic degree options, identify appropriate courses, navigate college processes and prepare for their next steps;
• Establish ongoing and regular communication channels with faculty advisors in all Degree Pathways to stay informed of changes to degrees, classes, transfer requirements, etc;
• Teach students to access and use online student services and other online academic resources;
• Establish and maintain documentation of progress of students eligible to participate in cohort programming and communities;
• Maintain electronic student records, documenting and summarizing advising sessions; Adhere to institutional, state, and federal policies related to confidentiality, and required reporting;
• Actively participate in and contribute to professional development opportunities, remaining current on issues and trends in academic advising, career exploration, and college success, particularly for Black / African / African students;
• Participate in advising events including new student orientations, prospective student information sessions, transfer workshops, and fairs, etc.;
• Support students moving from the Entry Advising phase to Pathway Advising to Faculty Advising to Career and Transition.

Navigation :

• Work closely with Cultural Learning Communities staff, TRiO, Pathway and Faculty Advisors, Access Services, Athletics, MESA, Academic Success Centers, Benefits Hub and Funding departments to ensure wraparound support for Black / African students;
• Support access to and application for funding, both for tuition and living expenses. Ensure full utilization of WASFA / FAFSA funding and other funding sources;
• Collaborate with college resources staff to ensure all support resources are accessed by students. Connect students to campus and off-campus supports, such as tutoring, counseling, paying for college, emergency financial grants, food access, housing security, access to public benefits, free tax prep, healthcare, and social supports;
• Meet and check in regularly with individual students, maintaining hours convenient to students who are parenting, including evening and weekend hours as appropriate.

Set schedule with some flexibility.).

Mentoring :

Develop and coordinate the Black student / Umoja Mentoring program, including recruitment of students and mentors, training and support for mentors, and scheduling meetings and activities for mentors / mentees.

Budget :

• In collaboration with the CLC Director, oversee, develop and monitor program budgets;
• In collaboration with cultural learning community steering committees, advisory committees, and / or faculty coordinators, prepare and submit annual S&A Fees Budget requests and reports.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Bachelor's degree in Education, Student Development, Social Work / Psychology, or closely-related disciplines (pending degrees must be verified by a letter from the granting institution).

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS :

• Experience in career counseling, or university transfer admission / recruitment Experience working with undocumented students;
• Bilingual English and Spanish speaking;
• Extensive understanding of Black / African student assets and funds of knowledge, supporting cultural and community programming that enhance students’ sense of belonging;
• Experience working or volunteering with Black / African / African communities Experience working in higher education;
• Post-baccalaureate education or Master’s Degree;
• Experience serving a diverse population in a multicultural environment Experience navigating higher education;
• Training or experience in navigation, case management or financial coaching Experience with PeopleSoft (ctcLink).

Supplemental Information

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment.

Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

THE COLLEGE

Highline College prides itself on its commitment to diversity and equity, its institutional culture of collegiality and innovation, its globalization of curricula and its inclusion of the community in its programming.

Founded in 1961, Highline College is situated in a diverse community just 15minutes south of Seattle. The college annually serves more than 16,500 students a student population of over 70% students of color, representing 35 nations and more than 100 languages.

The college embraces equity, inclusion and social justice, with core goals of student attainment, diversity, community Engagement and sustainability.

The student body at Highline College is made up of Transfer students, Running Start students, Professional- Technical students, International students, Comprehensive Transition Program for students with intellectual disabilities, Adult Basic Education and English Language Learners.

In addition, we offer six bachelor of applied science, four-year degrees.

MISSION AND VISION

As an essential part of our mission and vision , diversity, equity and inclusion are promoted and fostered in all aspects of college life.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Your online application must include the following to be considered complete :

• 1. A detailed resume that addresses the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position;
• 2. A letter of application / cover letter (two-page maximum, recommended) that addresses your ability to meet the QUALIFICATIONS, and KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES for the position;

3. A one-page response to the Supplemental Question.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT :

National Criminal Background Check may be required.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT :

https : / / www.governmentjobs.com / careers / highline

NEED APPLICATION HELP?

Should you have any difficulties uploading your documents or navigating the application process, please contact NEOGOV Technical Support at 1-855-524- 5627, Monday - Friday 6 : 00 AM to 6 : 00PM Pacific Time.

HIGHLINE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Highline College is an equal opportunity employer. The College is committed to enhancing the diversity of our faculty and staff, as well as our student population.

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientations, and gender identity diversity.

We strongly encourage applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legal protected status.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodations in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at (206) 592-3812.

Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.

TITLE IX POLICY

Highline College complies with Title IX regulations. For details on our policies, see our website https : / / humanresources.

highline.edu / faculty-and-staff / policies / title-ix /

The College appointing authorities reserve the right and may exercise the option to make an employment decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The college provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war.

Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types).

The Title IX Coordinator, Danielle Slota, can be reached at (206) 592-3600 or [email protected] . 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198.

Building 12, President’s Office.

The 504 Coordinator, Jenni Sandler, can be reached at (206) 592-3474 or [email protected] . 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198.

Building 25, 5th Floor.

The Chief Human Resources Officer, Melanie Lawson, can be reached at (206) 592-3320 or [email protected] . 2400 S. 240th St.

Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, Human Resources.

You can receive this information in an alternate format by contacting Access Services (206) 592-3857; TTY (206) 870-4853.