Job Information
Drake University AmeriCorps College Success Mentor in Des Moines, Iowa
Title: AmeriCorps College Success Mentor
Position Number: n/a
Unit/Department: AmeriCorps Assignment to Bright College
FTE: Full-time (AmeriCorps)
Department Summary:
The College Success Mentor will be an AmeriCorps service member who is assigned to Bright College on the Drake University campus.
The John Dee Bright College at Drake University offers two full-time degree programs - Associate of Arts degree in Business, Organization, and Professional Studies (BOPS) and Associate of Arts degree in Integrated Arts, Sciences, and Humanities (IASH). Bright College students learn as part of a cohort—a team of classmates to take on real-world challenges and solve problems creatively, collaboratively, and effectively. They gain knowledge in core subject areas—like business, humanities, STEM, and the arts—and apply that knowledge through hands-on experiences.
Bright College focuses on transferable skills like critical thinking, systems literacy, intercultural understanding, collaborative problem-solving and effective communication. Graduates from Bright College are prepared to enter the professional workforce as creative thinkers and leaders or to continue their education by completing four-year degrees—or both.
Learn more about Bright College at: https://www.drake.edu/bright/ .
Learn more about AmeriCorps at: https://americorps.gov/ .
Job Summary:
The College Success Mentor will be responsible for developing a mentoring program within Bright College and establishing relationships with Bright College students, primarily those in their first A high proportion of Bright College are first-generation and/or low-income and come from backgrounds commonly underrepresented in private higher education.
As a member of the dean’s office staff, the College Success Mentor will support student retention, persistence, engagement, and graduation rates. The Success Mentor will do so by creating and instituting proactive and responsive intervention strategies and peer mentoring support for various academic and non-academic.
Anticipated Service Schedule
• The member will complete service hours between [8:00 am-5:00 pm], [Monday – Friday].
• The member should expect to serve 40 hours/week to complete their term of service.
Service Activities
• Connect students with campus and community-based resources for any specific questions or concerns they are experiencing, including academic tutoring, financial aid, mental health, disability services, etc.
• Update Bright College Dean’s Office on students’ progress and identify themes or common questions to identify future interventions and resource development.
• Collaborate with Bright College Professional and Academic Support Specialist and other members of the dean’s office to holistically support all Bright College students.
• Attend bi-weekly assessment meetings to discuss student outcomes and interventions.
• Connect with practicum and internship site supervisors to devise a strategies for future interventions and further resource development on campus.
• Meet with Bright College students regularly to discuss academic and personal goals and help monitor their progress.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Baccalaureate Degree – knowledge of specialized principles or techniques normally obtained through a four-year college/university academic program or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program directly related to the type of work being performed.
• Experience with, and enthusiasm for, mentoring college students and collaborating with students, staff, faculty, and community constituencies.
• Demonstrated intercultural competence and interculture communication skills.
•Applicants must be a US citizen, US national, or a Lawful Permanent Resident.
Salary & Benefits
This AmeriCorps full-time (1700 hours) position is an 11-month service term. Salary for AmeriCorps members is $22,500. Members also receive an education award to be used for qualified student loans and/or to pay current educational expenses. The education award for FY24 is $7,395. Bright College will provide housing (August '24 through June '25) and contribute toward a campus dining plan (housing & meal allowance valued at $10,000).
Pending budgetary and administrative approval and satisfactory performance, this position is renewable for up to one additional year with continuous housing.
As a member of AmeriCorps, all benefits are provided by AmeriCorps, including the option to enroll in a Health Insurance Plan available through the Corps Network. You can find more information about AmeriCorps benefits at: here: https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/your-benefits .
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Applicants will be asked to complete the online application through Drake's job board and provide: a resume/cv, a cover, and contact information for three references.
Have Questions?
Questions about the application process, working on the Drake campus, reasonable accommodations, or additional information about Drake or Des Moines, Iowa may be directed to Drake Human Resources. You can best reach us at jobs@drake.edu .
All job offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, satisfactory reference checks, and proof of work authorization, all of which will be conducted by AmeriCorps.
Review of Applications Begins:
For full consideration, apply by June 14, 2024. The position will remain posted until filled.