Veterans Upward Bound Advisor

Veterans Upward Bound Advisor

Milwaukee, WI | Full Time | JR

The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Outreach Specialist and Program Advisor delivers direct educational outreach, academic planning, and student support services for eligible military veterans preparing to enter or re-enter postsecondary education. As part of a federally funded TRIO program, the Advisor supports recruitment, case management, academic skill development, and college readiness initiatives designed to promote access, persistence, and completion in postsecondary education.

The VUB Outreach Specialist provides individualized advising, facilitates workshops and enrichment activities, coordinates computer‑assisted instruction and tutoring services, and maintains accurate documentation in compliance with U.S. Department of Education TRIO guidelines. This position plays a critical role in supporting veterans as adult learners by fostering informed decision‑making, academic preparedness, and successful transitions into technical programs, two‑year colleges, and four‑year universities.

• Conduct outreach and recruitment activities targeting eligible veterans interested in postsecondary education.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and veteran‑serving agencies.
• Present informational workshops and program orientations to prospective participants and stakeholders.
• Assist with enrollment processes and participant eligibility documentation.

• Manage a caseload of VUB participants, providing educational planning.
• Assist participants in identifying appropriate academic programs, technical training, or degree pathways aligned with career goals.
• Support participants with navigating federal and state military education benefits, college admissions processes, and scholarship searches.
• Conduct needs assessments and provide referrals to community and campus resources.
• Monitor participant progress and maintain timely documentation of services and outcomes.

• Develop and facilitate workshops focused on college readiness, financial literacy, career exploration, and academic skill development.
• Coordinate and assess academic and enrichment activities.
• Support tutoring and basic skills instruction initiatives.
• Assist with planning and implementing academic events and program activities.

• Maintain accurate and confidential participant records in compliance with U.S. Department of Education TRIO regulations.
• Collect and compile required documentation, including applications, surveys, transcripts, and enrollment data.
• Assist with preparation of reports and documentation related to program outcomes and best practices.
• Track participant progress toward enrollment and postsecondary persistence goals.

• Participate in departmental, divisional, and staff meetings.
• Collaborate with VUB staff to ensure alignment with grant objectives and performance measures.
• Negotiate in‑kind contributions from partners, as appropriate, to support program goals.
• Travel independently and using one's own means of transportation to meet external stakeholders, including off‑campus visits, overnight travel, and occasional conference attendance.

• Bachelor's degree in education, social work, counseling, higher education administration, or related field.
• Professional experience in program coordination, case management, advising, or education.
• Experience working with veterans, low‑income, first‑generation adults, or educationally disadvantaged populations in an educational or support services setting.

• Knowledge of or experience working with U.S. Department of Education TRIO programs.
• Experience developing or implementing programs that advance the success of historically underrepresented students, particularly veterans.
• Experience managing student caseload databases and maintaining detailed records.
• Experience assisting students with federal and state military education benefits.

$45,000 – $50,000 (final salary offer will be determined based on qualifications and experience).

TRIO Veterans Upward Bound, Center for Pre‑College Programs, Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability status, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or state law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.