Associate Dean of College Success

The Job:

The Associate Dean of College Success is responsible for overseeing the college success program and maintaining a vibrant college-going culture on campus. The primary role of an Associate Dean of College Success is to lead the department of College Success by training and managing department members, advising seniors as they apply and transition to college, organizing events, and collaborating with various departments.

Purpose:

Purpose: It is the goal of the College Success department at Cristo Rey Jesuit, through guidance and education, to ensure that all students have the ability to succeed to and through college, specifically raising the 4-year college graduation rate to 60% or higher. The Associate Dean of College Success seeks ways to conduct oneself in a professional manner through
actions and communications with others. They interact in a positive and caring way with students, parents, outside contacts and staff by taking an active professional position in celebrating and upholding the Catholic and Jesuit identity of Cristo Rey Jesuit.

responsiblities

• Lead the Department of College Success, including managing College Counselors, Discover U Coordinator, Academic Advisors, and providing content training, direction, and support to the College Readiness Department Build a school-wide college-going culture of high expectations, reflected by its traditions, norms, events, physical environment, curriculum, and consistent messaging by all staff to its students and families.
• Build rapport and trust with predominantly first-generation, low-income students and their parents.
• Directly counsel a caseload of seniors and assist with all areas of the college counseling program.
• Communicates consistently with parents to bring them into the process of their student’s progress with the college application and financial aid processes.
• Ensures the college success department provides culturally sensitive programming to meet the specific needs of first-generation college students.
• Coordinate multiple opportunities for exposure to college campuses and representatives throughout all four years, including consistent college representative visits on the Cristo Rey Jesuit campus and coordinating college tours for parents and students at “good fit” universities.
• Utilize alumni data to continuously refine the college counseling program.
• Organize outward-facing events and communications (e.g., Catholic HS College Fair, NACAC college fair, college-going culture on social media, etc.).
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with various departments across the school to support student formation, including Student Counseling, CWSP, Dean of Students, Activities & Athletics, and Campus Ministry.
•  Collaborate in the school’s professional development program as needed.
•  Point of contact with the Network and other CRJ leaders to disseminate new information to the department.
• Attend networking college readiness/college counseling events and conferences as a representative of CRJ and to stay updated on all aspects of college counseling.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen relationships with community-based organizations including Discover U, College Spring, and other college-going organizations.
• Create and maintain strategic partnerships and data-sharing agreements with local, state and out of state universities.
• Network with, prepare reports for, and maintain a professional working relationship with associations such as the Jesuit Schools Network (JSN), the Cristo Rey Network (CRN), the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and TCCB-ED.
• Assist in hiring future members of the Department.
• Assist in performing formal evaluations of the college counselors
• Oversee, coordinate, and communicate aspects of standardized testing, including Testing Coordinator for PSAT and SAT.
• Track data for college applications, financial aid, testing, summer programs and alumni advising.
• Coordinate and lead parent meetings and events for orientation and support the college process (e.g., coffee with the counselor).
• Establish the College Success Department as an active participant in the improvement of the surrounding community and shares programs, resources, and facilities.
• Create systems for communication and proactive and problem-solving strategies to maximize alumni persistence and graduation from college within 6 years, prioritizing graduates at risk for non-persistence.
• Establish a robust network of advocates at local and national colleges and universities to ensure graduates’ access, resources, and on-campus supports.

qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution, a Master’s Degree is preferred but not required.
•  Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Cristo Rey Network and model
• Prior experience working with high school students/families and college counseling/or college admissions.
• Strong working knowledge in all Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Educational Software is a plus

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: 

• Regularly interact with students, parents, staff and visitors. 
• Work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time. 
• Be able to occasionally lift up to 30 lbs. 

 Apply:

Please submit cover letter, resume and school transcripts to teachingcareers@cristoreyjesuit.org. 

Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston and Cristo Rey Work Study Program, Inc are equal opportunity employers.