Corrections Education Program Student Support Specialist

Description
POSITION SUMMARY

Primary responsibility is for the retention and completion of Corrections Education Program (CEP) students. The Support Specialist is held accountable for the achievement of student retention and completion goals. The Student Support Specialist will provide direct services to students in support of the College's TCS2 (Total Commitment to Student Success) efforts to increase student persistence, retention, certificate/degree completion and successful transfer. This person will operate in a total case management student services role focused on retention management, outreach, and intervention. There will be routine occasions where this position will be required to work more than a 40-hour week. This position directly supports the Corrections Education Program; therefore, this position will require travel to the correctional facilities to assist with student needs. This position is not limited to advising responsibilities only. This position will facilitate the CEP student process from applying for admissions, gathering financial aid documents, advising, providing student support services, assisting the student to graduation, and providing support for the student when finishing the program.

Essential Functions
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Serve as the liaison for the student and the college and the correctional facility.

Assist new students through:

Conducting New Student Orientations.

Entering Admissions applications.

Assisting with the collection of Financial Aid documents.

Achieve individual student caseload retention and completion goals as established by the college.

Assist with the planning and implementation of all retention related events.

Carry out and be accountable for individual caseload outreach and intervention plan milestones including:

Semester registration tracking with follow-ups

Semester financial milestones outreach to determine if student has financial aid and can pay bill.

Multiple face to face student contacts per semester. Face to face meetings with students will take place at the students assigned correctional facility. Specialists will serve as the main bridge of information from the college to the student while they are in the correctional facility.

Retention Alert - Follow up with students to ensure academic progress.

JPAY reminders for registration, financial aid reminders, important dates reminders, etc.

Monitor registration holds, business office holds, and financial aid holds.

Maintain up to date spreadsheets depicting MDOC/FBOP approved students and relevant information from semester to semester.

Attend conferences and meetings to stay current on industry trends and best practices.

Assist with student Financial Aid

Conduct FAFSA workshops for new and existing students.

Assist students with identifying alternative forms of payment of tuition, I.E. CEP Scholarships, Michigan Reconnect, etc.

Provide students and sponsors with information on Loan Default and how to get out of it.

Collect Verification forms and corresponding documentation from Correctional Facilities.

Communicate with student sponsors as needed via email and phone.

Communicate with students via in person visits during office hours and via email through the JPAY secure network.

Coordinate with Correctional Facilities Education staff as needed to:

Identify time and classroom space to hold in person:

Office hours

Registration

Financial Aid meetings

New Student Orientations

Book Fairs

Assist with Graduation Ceremonies with the college and assigned facilities.

Hold Pre-Graduation Meetings with students.

Prepare graduation materials for students, (caps, gowns, cords, etc.)

Deliver materials to facilities for inspection.

Play a critical role in the graduation ceremony.

Prepare student course materials each semester to ensure that students have all necessary materials to be successful.

Assembling necessary student supplies for delivery to correctional facilities.

Packing student books for delivery to correctional facilities.

Delivering course materials to correctional facilities for inspection.

Conducting Book fairs and distributing all course materials to students prior to the start of the semester.

Assist students with filing non-academic complaints, grade disputes, withdrawal with exception, financial aid appeals, financial aid reinstatements, etc.

Serve as liaison between the students and the Phi Theta Kappa International (PTK) international honor society.

Provide PTK Applications for students.

Coordinate and Assist with PTK induction ceremonies.

Provide and collect from students PTK Competitive Edge packets.

Provide students with paper copies of semester grades (report cards), Dean's List Letters and Degree Audits.

Provide students with Transfer information to 2- and 4-year schools pre-release.

Direct returning students/citizens to resources at JC.

Connect students with on campus Navigator.

Connect students with JC office of workforce and development.

Assist students with educational needs upon release.

Review student degree audits and create long term education plans for student success.

Conduct degree audits to determine course schedule needs by facility to submit to scheduling office for recommendations.

Guide students to develop personal accountability for their decisions and an understanding of how those decisions impact their success.

Empower students to develop and accomplish their personal, academic, and professional goals.

Maintain current knowledge of academic and occupational degree requirements, graduation requirements, transfer requirements and pre-requisite requirements to advise students toward completion.

Exercise professional discretion and judgement, to help students create a personal completion plan. Advise students regarding course registration, admissions process, financial aid, career services and other related topics, as needed.

Refer students to appropriate internal and community-based programs and support services. Initiate contact with faculty, Student Resolution Advocate, Center for Student Success, and other departments to assist students with questions and needs utilizing a total case management model. Coordinate information sharing and processing between CEP, admissions, financial aid, and records office.

Manage early alert interventions for respective caseload.

Develop success, retention, and completion materials and presentations to support students.

Serve on internal committees designed to improve Institutional quality and serve as a college representative for various community committees and associations.

Maintain accurate records (including electronic records) of interactions with students. Routinely report statistics designed to measure departmental progress.

Understand the institution's interpretation of FERPA rules for the release of student information.

Travel as needed to correctional facilities to support CEP program. Access to correctional facilities may require LEIN (Law Enforcement Information Network) clearance, background check, fingerprinting and assigned training as determined by the Michigan Department of Corrections or the Federal Bureau of Prisons

Responsible for understanding, supporting and actively demonstrating the College's beliefs, values, mission, and vision and agreeing to be evaluated by same.

Responsible for understanding that this position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) position. You must complete the annual Clery Act training, for and act as, a Campus Security Authority

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position will work with and coordinate the peer advising mentors and student workers.

CONTACTS AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
Internal:Frequent contact with registration/records, admissions, financial aid, business office, multicultural affairs, student life, student housing, institutional quality and effectiveness, information technology and academic department staff in information sharing/gathering and problem-solving capacity. Regular contact and collaborative work with other staff, faculty, and administration members.External:Frequent contact with students, prospective students, and general public. Regular contact with JC off campus staff and community partners. Some contact may be required with state and federal agencies.Minimum Qualifications
Minimum

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university in a related field

Minimum of two years full-time, direct, paid experience in higher education, retention management, or case management.

Valid Michigan Driver's license.

Ability to pass a LEIN (Law Enforcement Information Network) clearance.

Knowledge of:

Presentation methods and techniques

Project planning, goal setting, and group dynamics

Personal computer and associated office software

Customer service techniques including excellent phone skills and technology related communication skills

Skills and Abilities to:

Must be comfortable traveling to and conducting off campus visits/meetings with students in Correctional Facilities.

Ability to routinely work over 40 hours.

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