Alumni Success Advisor

Why New Paradigm for Education 

NPFE is on a mission to ensure that all students in Detroit achieve at the highest levels, supporting educational transformation through increased student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and community support. NPFE’s Mission is to provide a quality education through shared responsibility in a safe supportive environment for all students to meet the needs of a global society. We are committed to excellence and strive to offer a new educational paradigm evident by increased student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and community support.

New Paradigm for Education seeks educators who have a relentless belief that all students, regardless of their race and economic or social circumstances, can perform at high levels, deserve a quality education, have access to high quality instruction and curriculum, and can attain post secondary success. Educators who are driven bv academic achievement, continuous growth, and excel working in a rigorous and supportive environment. We seek culturally responsive educators who have experience working with diverse communities and strong relationship-building skills that they apply to understand their students, families, and communities.

What You’ll Do

NPFE seeks an Alumni Success Advisor to support Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA) graduates as they navigate college and work toward successful completion of a postsecondary credential or degree. The Alumni Success Advisor will continue the college access and advising work that begins during high school by building meaningful, sustained relationships with alumni and helping them successfully navigate the academic, financial, social, and administrative challenges of college.

The Alumni Success Advisor will serve as a consistent point of contact for DEPSA graduates from the time they transition to college through college completion. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of the college experience, particularly the experiences and barriers faced by first-generation and/or low-income college students. Chief among the skills needed for success are relationship-building, organization, entrepreneurialism, problem solving, persistence, communication, and follow-through.

The ideal candidate will be proactive and relentless in supporting alumni while also helping students develop the skills, confidence, and independence necessary to advocate for themselves and successfully navigate college. This individual must be highly organized and able to manage relationships with a diverse caseload of alumni while tracking academic progress, financial aid requirements, important deadlines, and individual student needs.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; preference given to candidates with a degree in education, counseling, social work, higher education, or a related field

• Previous experience working with high school or college students required

• Previous experience in college advising, college access, student success, academic advising, counseling, or a related field preferred

• Knowledge of college admissions, financial aid, and/or college student support systems preferred

• Experience working with first-generation and/or low-income college students preferred

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational and time-management skills

• Ability to manage a caseload and consistently follow up with students

• Ability to build trusting relationships with students and families

• Willingness to work occasional evenings and attend events or activities outside of the traditional school day

• Willingness to travel to college and university locations

Duties & Responsibilities

Alumni College Success & Persistence

• Maintain a caseload of DEPSA alumni and provide individualized support throughout their college experience

• Build and maintain consistent relationships with alumni through regular communication, check-ins, meetings, and campus or virtual engagement

• Support alumni in developing the skills necessary to successfully navigate college independently

• Monitor alumni academic progress, enrollment status, and progress toward degree or credential completion

• Identify alumni who may be at risk of stopping out or not completing college and develop individualized support plans

• Help alumni identify and address academic, financial, social, and personal barriers that may interfere with college persistence

• Connect alumni with appropriate campus resources, including academic advising, tutoring, counseling, career services, financial aid offices, student support programs, and other resources

• Support alumni in communicating with college faculty, staff, advisors, and administrators when challenges arise

• Help alumni understand and navigate college policies, procedures, deadlines, and requirements

• Encourage alumni to advocate for themselves and develop the confidence to independently seek support and solve problems

Financial Aid & College Navigation

• Support alumni in understanding and completing annual financial aid requirements, including FAFSA and other required forms

• Monitor financial aid deadlines and help alumni understand how financial aid decisions may affect their ability to remain enrolled

• Help alumni identify scholarships, grants, emergency financial resources, and other funding opportunities

• Support alumni in navigating financial challenges that may affect their continued enrollment

• Help alumni understand academic and financial consequences associated with dropping courses, changing enrollment status, or stopping out

• Connect alumni to appropriate resources when financial, housing, transportation, food insecurity, or other barriers impact their ability to remain enrolled

Building Relationships With Alumni

• Develop a strong and trusting relationship with each alumnus/alumna on the assigned caseload

• Establish consistent communication systems to maintain engagement with alumni throughout the academic year

• Meet alumni where they are while maintaining high expectations for their continued progress toward college completion

• Celebrate alumni accomplishments and milestones, including academic achievements, internships, leadership opportunities, graduation, and career milestones

• Re-engage alumni who become difficult to reach or disengaged from college

• Maintain appropriate communication with families and caregivers when needed and when consistent with student privacy requirements

• Create opportunities for alumni to remain connected to DEPSA and support the development of a strong alumni community

Alumni Data, Tracking & Accountability

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all assigned alumni, including enrollment, academic progress, financial aid status, and college completion information

• Develop and maintain systems for tracking alumni communication, needs, interventions, and outcomes

• Monitor key deadlines and proactively communicate with alumni to prevent missed requirements

• Use data to identify trends, common barriers, and students requiring additional support

• Regularly report on alumni engagement, persistence, credit completion, and degree/credential attainment

• Maintain accurate alumni contact information and enrollment information

• Collaborate with the College Advisor and other members of the college team to ensure a seamless transition from high school college advising to postsecondary support

College & Community Partnerships

• Develop and maintain relationships with college student support staff, academic advisors, financial aid offices, and other campus partners

• Build a network of community organizations and resources that can provide additional support to DEPSA alumni

• Identify programs, scholarships, internships, mentoring opportunities, and other resources that may benefit alumni

• Advocate for DEPSA alumni when appropriate and help connect students to individuals who can assist them in resolving challenges

• Maintain relationships with institutions attended by DEPSA alumni to better understand available resources and student support systems

• Conduct periodic visits to colleges attended by DEPSA alumni to meet with alumni, connect with campus support staff, assess student needs, and strengthen partnerships that support alumni persistence and college completion

Career & Postsecondary Development

• Support alumni in connecting their college experience to long-term career and professional goals

• Help alumni identify internships, campus employment, career development opportunities, and other experiences that support their goals

• Connect alumni with career services and other professional development resources

• Encourage alumni to build professional networks and develop career-readiness skills

• Support alumni as they transition from college into employment, graduate school, or other postsecondary opportunities

College Department Team Member

• Work closely with the College Advisor(s) and Counselor(s) to ensure continuity between high school college counseling and alumni support

• Provide feedback to the College Advisor(s) and Counselor(s) regarding trends and challenges experienced by DEPSA alumni that may inform current senior advising

• Participate in college department meetings, planning, and professional development

• Assist with college-related events, workshops, panels, and programming for current students and alumni

• Support planning and implementation of alumni programming and engagement opportunities

• Assist with specific projects and areas as determined by school leadership based on expertise and organizational needs

• Other ancillary duties as needed or assigned