Academic Student Support Counselor Lead-HEA;

Academic SEEK Student Support Counselor Lead-HEA (SEEK)

The Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge) Program and the College Discovery (CD) Program are the two CUNY higher education opportunity programs designed to assist high potential, low income students who otherwise might not be able to pursue a college degree because they are not academically well prepared for college level work. The Programs provide educational support, academic advisement, and counseling assistance, all of which are aimed at strengthening students’ basic skills, bolstering their academic success in all levels of college courses, and maximizing their retention and persistence through to graduation.

Counselors provide a range of services to support students’ varied needs as they pursue their educational goals. Specifically, the counselor:

• Provides counseling and advisement to students covering academic, personal/social, career, and related issues;
• Administers assessment instruments to students and evaluates results;
• Determines need and refers students to appropriate services on- and off- campus;
• Consults with other program staff and college faculty to promote utilization of services and to improve student academic performance and retention;
• Develops and teaches orientation programs, seminars, student workshops, and other activities based on students’ areas of need and interest;
• Develops and monitors interventions related to student academic and personal success;
• Maintains records regarding services provided; reports on activities and outcomes;
• Assists with program report-writing, assessment, and data collection; and
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Higher Education Associate

Exempt

The Academic SEEK Student Support Counselor Lead reports directly to the SEEK Program Director.

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Keep abreast of best practices to improve retention, persistence, and completion, and encourage key stakeholders to use such practices; propose institutional policies aligned with national standards.
• Develop programs and services to foster the success of At-Risk, transfer, and probation students and ensure they understand academic policies and barriers to success.
• Initiate, develop, and deliver workshops, panels, presentations, and special programs that support student growth and coordinate retention services with campus partners (Advising, CLC, Writing Center, Immersion).
• Advocate for the needs and concerns of SEEK students, ensuring access to appropriate support services and accommodations.
• Collaborate with program staff, faculty, and other stakeholders to develop and enhance program services and initiatives.
• Provide guidance and support to students facing personal or academic challenges, connecting them with resources for assistance.
• Foster a supportive and inclusive environment for SEEK students, promoting their well-being and success; assist in collecting and analyzing data related to outcomes.
• Develop and maintain web-based and other communication resources and strategies to encourage persistence and completion.
• Prepare reports and presentations summarizing program activities, achievements, and areas for improvement.
• Assign caseloads to counseling staff, GRIT coaches, and interns.

A Master's degree in an appropriate discipline (e.g., social work, counseling, guidance, or psychology) and four years’ related experience required. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of, and a sensitivity to, the needs of opportunity program students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 6-8 years of progressively responsible experience in counseling, academic advisement, student success, or related student-services roles.
• Related experience in a diverse urban higher education setting.
• Ability to lead complex initiatives, manage multiple priorities, and maintain timely, high-quality deliverables in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience and knowledge working with enterprise student information systems and affiliate software (i.e., People Soft/CUNYfirst, Campus Solutions, Degree…