Reaching Forward Coach

Hartford Promise is a non-profit scholarship and support organization dedicated to providing college access to high-performing high school students in Hartford, through an Integrated College Success Model aimed at increasing the college-going culture within Hartford schools and supporting hundreds of Promise Scholars as they move through college and into the Hartford workforce.

Through our “Reaching Forward” programming, we work directly and continuously with 450-500 Promise Scholars attending more than 80 colleges all over the country. Our Scholars are 90% students of color, 75% low income, 75% first generation, and 100% amazing. Reaching Forward staff visit campuses throughout the year for in person meetings, reach out frequently through text and social media, offer “office hours” for Scholars, communicate with key administrative staff on each campus, and encourage Scholars to reach back and ask for help as needed.

The Reaching Forward work is grounded in a Cohort model where the Promise Reaching Forward Team connect with Scholars, connect them with each other, and connect them to key people, supports and services on their campuses. The Reaching Forward Team is also responsible for gathering and analyzing data about our Scholars to better support them and to inform our programs.

The goals of Reaching Forward are to be engaged with Scholars during the summer transition before college, be very active and available as a resource during the first weeks and months of college, connect continuously to help Scholars navigate successfully throughout college, work with Scholars in preparing them for internships and careers, and always be viewed as an available responsive resource.

Our organizational metrics include high rates of first year persistence (above 85%), and high rates of college graduation (above 70%).

You believe – and your work has demonstrated your belief – that all students can earn a college degree and the life that comes with it. As a Reaching Forward Coach, your mission is to serve our Reaching Forward programming to ensure that Hartford Promise Scholars are afforded the skills, opportunities, and resources to succeed in their college journey. You will be part of the Reaching Forward Team to provide support to a diverse group of scholars from various backgrounds, coordinating with their institutions, community-based organizations, Hartford Public Schools, and other members of the Hartford Promise Community.

• Primary objective - You will be a part of the Reaching Forward Team, ensuring the college success of nearly 500 active scholars. You will be a key point of contact and relationship for these Promise Scholars.
• You will help to implement a schedule of programming to target scholars' needs at critical points in their college journey
• You will continuously look for ways to improve/enhance our engagement, connection, and support for Promise Scholars
• You will be involved in cultivating and managing new and existing relationships with college partners.
• You will be an important “face/spokesperson” of Hartford Promise and its Reaching Forward programs, with various audiences and in various settings.
• You will work with the Reaching Back team to facilitate a smooth transition to college for first-year scholars
• You will work with the Reaching Beyond team to help scholars access and prepare for career opportunities
• You will collect and analyze data on Scholar experience to inform best practices and strategies

This position requires the ability to work both closely with team members and independently, in a dynamic, student-focused environment. An ideal candidate will be:

• Team-oriented, flexible, adaptable
• Self-motivated, responsible, dependable
• Organized, communicative, analytical
• Thoughtful, kind, service-minded

• At least 2 years of experience in academic coaching/mentoring of high school and/or college students
• Ability to work well with a diverse student population
• Driver’s license and transportation for travel to college campuses within 20 miles of Hartford

We are hiring for full-time and part-time positions (20 hours per week).…