Program Coordinator for College Access and Success

Program Coordinator of College Access and Success (Full-Time Position)

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA)

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is committed to providing its employees opportunities for growth in a supportive community environment. With a flexible schedule and generous benefits package, SAYA provides its employees a healthy work-life balance in a youth development nonprofit.

SAYA: Belong. Grow. Thrive.

Organization Description:

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is a 501(c)3 organization for New York City youth ranging in age from kindergarteners to college students. SAYA is South Asian-focused, inclusive and committed to connecting young people from all backgrounds to opportunities. Our mission is to foster a strong sense of belonging in youth and provide them with tools to thrive academically, professionally and personally. Many of our participants are recent immigrants and face challenges that can hinder their chances to be academically successful, graduate high school and go to college. SAYA provides an accessible, safe and culturally affirming space for all youth and offers mentorship beyond the classroom so they confidently grow into engaged community members ready for college, career and personal success. Established in 1996, SAYA has grown into a $3.8 million organization currently running programs at nine NYC schools and our community center in Elmhurst, Queens.

Position Summary:

SAYA’s Program Coordinator of College Access and Success will be integral to the delivery of college access and college success efforts with all of our high school youth and college youth enrolled at SAYA. With a heavy focus at the Elmhurst Center, the Program Coordinator will assist in implementation of the College Access Roadmap and SAYA’s strategic vision of college guidance efforts. The Program Coordinator will work with colleagues to implement the College Success Roadmap that will be designed to support our recent high school alumni through their college careers and help prepare them for their professional careers. Finally, the Program Coordinator will also provide support for the daily functions of the Elmhurst by participating in planning efforts around college trips and college events, as well as assisting with other SAYA-wide initiatives. 

Reports to: Associate Director of College Access and Success

Responsibilities:

College Access:

• Facilitate college access and academic readiness sessions and serve as college access advisor.
• Facilitate workshops for youth and families on college access programming at the Elmhurst as well as satellite high schools.
• Collaborate on curriculum planning and lesson plan development with colleagues. 
• Assist with the coordination of the SAYA College Access Mentoring Program. 
• Meet with youth individually and in small groups to provide college advisement and support.
• Track, maintain, and follow up on students’ academic, college application, and college decision progress. 
• Connect youth to public and private sources of financial aid and scholarships. 
• Maintain and update scholarship resources and share with colleagues and participants. 
• Maintain and develop relationships with college admissions counselors and offices. 
• Organize college trips and other agency-wide trips and college team events. 

College Success

• Develop curriculum and schedule College Success engagement workshops and events.
• Prepare all materials for workshops and share resources with college youth not in attendance.
• Facilitate College Transitions workshops to help high school seniors’ transition into college and our College Success program.
• Facilitate workshops and communicate with college success youth via phone, text, email and in-person.
• Visit NYC college campuses and facilitate on-campus cohorts of SAYA alumni to form peer support networks.
• Disseminate resources, such as available internships, jobs and scholarships, to SAYA College Success network. 
• Assist with maintenance of the College Success database, and identify and disseminate information on relevant resources to support their academic and professional careers. 
• Guide and advise students around best practices to help ensure their academic success and fulfillment.
• Provide internship and career advice and resources.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree required and at least one to three years of experience working in youth development. 
• Deep understanding of positive youth development, education learning standards and issues facing immigrant and first-generation youth in the US. 
• College guidance experience and strong knowledge of the college application, financial aid and scholarship process. 
• Ability to research and develop opportunities for alumni. 
• Ability to develop partnerships, work with and in teams. 
• Takes initiative and has the ability to problem solve. 
• Energized by the idea and process of creating and implementing new initiatives; 
• Strong writing and oral communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail oriented and trustworthy. 
• Bilingual in a South Asian language is a plus.

Compensation

$50,000+ commensurate with experience

PTO starting at 25 days

10 paid holidays

50 days of fully paid parental leave

Employer sponsored medical benefits with generous employer contributions for employee and dependents

Optional dental, vision, transit, and FSA benefits

Flexible schedule policies

Additional Information

• Due to COVID-19, this position is primarily remote until September 2021 when it is expected to transition to be primarily in-person.
• While we value work/life balance, due to the nature of this position, this role will sometimes require work on evenings and weekends.

To apply: Please include your resume and cover letter with your application.

SAYA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.