Scholarship and Student Success Program Coordinator

Scholarship And Student Success Program Coordinator

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) invites applications for the position of Scholarship and Student Success Program Coordinator. This position supports the implementation of the U.S. Department of Education's Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Virginia grant. GEAR UP is a federal initiative designed to increase college and career readiness, access, and persistence for students in underserved communities and serves approximately 5,000 students annually across 12 school divisions throughout the Commonwealth.

This position is primarily responsible for supporting scholarship outreach, administration, and student success initiatives that promote postsecondary enrollment and persistence. The Scholarship and Student Success Program Coordinator primarily serves students at Petersburg High School, Hopewell High School, and Brunswick High School (designated GEAR UP Priority High Schools) and is expected to travel regularly to these schools to provide advising, student support, and college access programming.

The coordinator leads outreach efforts to students and families to increase awareness of GEAR UP scholarship opportunities, eligibility requirements, and application processes, and provides ongoing support to ensure students successfully navigate postsecondary transitions. In addition, the coordinator supports student success programming designed to strengthen college persistence, including first-year student engagement efforts, postsecondary transition support, and collaboration with postsecondary partners. The role also assists with tracking scholarship-related documentation, supporting compliance requirements, and ensuring accurate and timely processing of program records.

The coordinator works closely with internal SCHEV staff, school and division partners, and institutions of higher education to strengthen pathways to postsecondary success and ensure students are supported from application through early college completion. This role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, student-centered environment. Core responsibilities include:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for scholarship outreach, advising, and student support services across assigned schools and partners.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to support scholarship administration, student eligibility verification, and postsecondary transition processes.
• Coordinate and support student engagement activities, including advising sessions and other college access programming.
• Build and maintain relationships with school staff, college access partners, and stakeholders to strengthen student support systems.
• Support training and capacity-building efforts for staff and partners on scholarship processes, systems, and implementation procedures.
• Provide direct student support, advising, and postsecondary transition services at Petersburg High School, Hopewell High School, and Brunswick High School (GEAR UP Priority High Schools), including regular travel to assigned school sites.
• Assist with statewide initiatives, communications, events, and programming designed to increase college access and success.
• Maintain accurate records, reporting, and data tracking to support program compliance and continuous improvement.
• Represent GEAR UP Virginia at regional and statewide meetings, trainings, and events, and share effective practices with other partners.

This position requires a strong commitment to direct student service, the ability to build and maintain partnerships, and strong organizational and project management skills. The Scholarship and Student Success Program Coordinator reports to the GUV Assistant Director and works full-time for 12 months each year. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with options for telework and alternate work schedules available.

This position is a full-time restricted classified position, which is grant funded through 2028 and contingent upon funding.