Horizons - High School Student Success Advisor

High School Advisor

The High School Advisor serves as a trusted mentor and advisor for a cohort of approximately 20 high school students and their families. Through individualized advising, academic monitoring, family partnership, and ongoing encouragement, Advisors help students navigate high school successfully while pursuing goals aligned with their strengths, interests, and aspirations. Working under the supervision of the High School Program Manager, Advisors build meaningful relationships with students and families through weekly program participation, individualized outreach, academic monitoring, and ongoing support.

Advisors help students stay engaged in school, make progress toward their goals, access opportunities aligned with their interests, and develop the skills, confidence, and experiences needed for success in college, career, and life.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Student Advising & Relationship Building

• Serve as the primary advisor for a cohort of approximately 20 students.
• Build strong, positive relationships with students and families.
• Conduct regular individual check-ins with students.
• Support students in setting goals and developing individualized pathway plans aligned with their strengths, interests, and aspirations.
• Encourage and recommend participation in extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, volunteer opportunities, internships, certifications, and enrichment programs.
• Maintain regular communication with students utilizing Horizons SHU communication platforms.

Academic Monitoring & Student Success

• Monitor student attendance, grades, academic performance, and engagement.
• Review report cards, progress reports, and other indicators of student success.
• Support students in developing organization, self-advocacy, goal-setting, and executive functioning skills
• Identify students who may require additional academic, SEL, and/or mental health support and communicate concerns to the High School Program Manager.
• Assist in developing intervention plans for students experiencing academic, attendance, or engagement challenges.

Family Partnership

• Maintain ongoing communication with parents and caregivers.
• Provide updates regarding student progress, concerns, and successes.
• Support families in navigating school-related questions and challenges.
• Participate in family meetings as needed.
• Serve as a liaison between students, families, schools, and Horizons SHU.

Postsecondary & Career Readiness

• Support students in exploring college, career, military, apprenticeship, entrepreneurial, and skilled trade pathways.
• Encourage participation in Horizons SHU workshops, leadership experiences, and college and career readiness activities.
• Assist students in identifying opportunities aligned with their long-term goals.
• Support development of student portfolios documenting achievements, experiences, and growth.

Program Participation

• Attend and actively participate in weekly Horizons SHU High School Program sessions held on Tuesdays from 4:00–6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart University.
• Participate in advisor meetings, training sessions, school year programming, and professional development opportunities.
• Support implementation of school-year programming, workshops, and special events.
• Attend occasional evening and weekend family engagement events, workshops, and student activities.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to student participation and progress.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

Required

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, social work, psychology, youth development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience working with adolescents in educational, youth development, mentoring, counseling, or community-based settings.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Preferred

• Experience working with high school students
• Experience mentoring, advising, coaching, or supporting youth.
• Familiarity with college and career readiness programming.
• Knowledge of the Greater Bridgeport community and local school systems.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Interest in making a multi-year commitment to supporting a cohort of students throughout their high school experience

Core Competencies

• Relationship Building
• Family Engagement
• Communication
• Organization and Follow-Through
• Collaboration
• Growth Mindset

Unusual Working Conditions

This position may require work on evenings and weekends.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and…