Middle School Advisor, TRIO Talent Search​/GEA.

Middlesex Community College (MCC), established in 1970, provides access to affordable education to prepare individuals for success and lifelong learning. We promote academic excellence, provide workforce development opportunities, and empower all learners to become productive and socially responsible members of our local and global communities.

The College provides a broad range of services that are essential to attract, reward, and retain talented faculty and staff. The MCC community promotes a work environment where our employees feel supported and empowered to best serve our student population. We are proud to offer our classes on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, as well as a robust online course offering.

MCC is committed to transforming lives as we educate, challenge, and support all students as evident in our strategic plan .

Title:Middle School Advisor,TRiO Talent Search / GEAR UP (Grades 6-8)

Unit: Full-Time MCCC Professional Staff, Grade 05, Academic Counselor

Department: K-16 Partnerships

Reports to: Assistant Dean of K-16 Partnerships

Date: September 24, 2026

General

Summary:

The primary goals of the Middlesex Community College TRIO Talent Search and GEAR UP Massachusetts programs are to prepare middle and high school students for postsecondary education programs that lead to successful careers. The objectives of the programs are completion of a rigorous program of study, secondary school retention and graduation, postsecondary enrollment, and postsecondary graduation.

The TRIO Talent Search and Gear Up advisor position requires a self-directed and motivated individual who has the potential to work with a highly functioning urban middle school in Lowell, Massachusetts.

This position coordinates the day-to-day activities of both programs at the assigned partner middle school, providing direct service to approximately 275 students yearly in the areas of academic, career, and personal advising. The Advisor provides guidance and support ? along with academic enrichment and educational field trips ? to low-income and/or first-generation-to-college middle school participants, and serves as the primary liaison between MCC Talent Search/GEAR UP program staff, target school administration and staff, parents/guardians, and students.

The Advisor also lays the groundwork for students' later transition into high school, including early exposure to the college enrollment and financial aid process that Talent Search and GEAR UP advisors will guide them through in subsequent grades.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive array of outreach and intervention services for an assigned caseload of students from low-income and first-generation-to-college backgrounds.
• Recruit at the assigned middle school and maintain the grant-funded number of students within the appropriate low-income/first-generation ratio to support the Talent Search and GEAR UP grants' goals for students served.
• Assist students in achieving strong academic performance while completing a rigorous course of study by tracking the academic progress of all program participants and using academic records (e.g., report cards, transcripts, MCAS/state assessment data) to determine the specific student services needed to prepare them for high school and college.
• Check in regularly ? at minimum weekly ? with students and target-school staff on academic progress, attendance, and behavior, and use case management to monitor and document students' academic and attendance outcomes, providing supportive outreach, intervention, and referral services as appropriate.
• Provide and coordinate tutoring sessions and academic programming, including…