Grand Rapids Community College’s Educational Opportunities Center (EOC) offers academic and personal counseling, tutoring and mentoring, career and financial aid/literacy workshops, and assistance with completing college applications and admissions processes. The EOC supports a wide range of adult learners with a focus on those who are unemployed or underemployed, as well as prospective first-generation college students and those who are from low-income backgrounds. The EOC will serve individuals in a 13-county region encompassing both urban and rural areas in Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa counties. Programs and activities are specifically designed for learners with limited English proficiency, those with disabilities, those facing housing insecurity, students aging out of foster care, and members of groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The Educational Opportunities Center is funded for up to five years through a federal U.S. Department of Education TRIO Educational Opportunities Center grant.
The Project Director is responsible for providing management and oversight of all day-to-day Educational Opportunities Center operations, services, and related processes. This includes staff supervision and administration of the EOC in compliance with the contractual agreement established between Grand Rapids Community College and the U.S. Department of Education, including promoting and completing the purpose and objectives of the project. This position will also perform critical budget control and reporting duties for the grant in compliance with federal requirements.
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Lead all aspects of program administration for the Grand Rapids Community College Educational Opportunities Center, including management and oversight of day-to-day operations, services, and related processes. This includes assuming responsibility to fully understand and implement all grant-related funding and reporting requirements and meet annual performance objectives related to secondary school diplomas, financial aid applications, and postsecondary education admissions and enrollment
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Supervise, schedule, train, establish performance goals, and evaluate two EOC Success Coaches, an Administrative Assistant, and a Peer Tutor
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In addition to reviewing and approving employee timesheets, certify employee efforts using Time and Effort Certification forms and submit to the Grant Accounting Specialist on a bi-weekly basis
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Work in conjunction with the Communications Department to initiate timely press releases and create innovative public information campaigns using print and social media to inform the greater West Michigan community about opportunities for postsecondary education and training
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Oversee the development and maintenance of an EOC web page and implementation of email, text, and phone outreach communication strategies and initiatives
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Review potential participant intake form responses and conduct in-person or virtual initial interviews with each applicant to establish eligibility for participation and service needs
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Work in collaboration with campus leadership and various department heads to design, develop, and deliver services and programming to support a wide range of adult learners, including, but not limited to, learners with limited English proficiency, those with disabilities, those facing housing insecurity, students aging out of foster care, and members of groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education
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Participate on the Veterans Success Team. Work with the Veteran Success Center Coordinator to provide to EOC veteran participants relevant information about enrollment, financial aid, academic advisement, career planning and other topics
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Ensure the following key services are offered through the EOC: guidance on secondary school reentry or entry into GED or other alternative education programs; individualized personal, career, and academic counseling; assistance completing college admissions and financial aid-related applications and preparing for college entrance examinations; academic advisement, assistance with course selection, and registration; tutoring; and career planning- and financial literacy-related workshops and information sessions
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Assist EOC participants in the exploration of prior-learning credit assessment opportunities at GRCC and other regional institutions
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Develop relationships and act as a primary EOC liaison with area K-12 and postsecondary schools to gather information on admissions policies and other processes necessary to support those seeking assistance from the EOC. Design and implement mentorship programs involving elementary, secondary, and college faculty and staff
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Cultivate relationships with West Michigan-area organizations to help support their employees and clients seeking access to higher education opportunities
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Work with the Office of Institutional Research and Planning to develop systems to ascertain initial student eligibility for EOC programming and assistance, as well as to establish data collection, storage, retrieval, and reporting processes to support the evaluation of project goals and objectives
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Research, identify, purchase and implement a database system, such as StudentAccess for Educational Opportunities Centers, to facilitate this work and train staff as needed
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Prepare and submit annual Institutional Review Board reports and supporting documentation to the Office of Institutional Research and Planning, as required
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Work in close coordination with the Grant Accounting Specialist to establish financial management procedures for the EOC and its related budget
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Perform all budget control responsibilities for this grant, including budget monitoring, expense tracking, purchasing, and budget modifications. These responsibilities include ensuring compliance with all grant and budget submission requirements
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Coordinate with the Grants Department, Grant Accounting Specialist, and Associate Dean of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid if there is a need to propose a change in project scope
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Collect and analyze weekly data on EOC student connections, workshops, outreach events, and other services. Run PeopleSoft queries and other reports as needed to ensure accuracy of data and other relevant information. Prepare weekly reports; provide information for supervisor, Deans, Executive Leadership, and Cabinet updates; and utilize data to guide scheduling, resource allocation, and process improvements
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Implement and oversee a system to regularly monitor the student experience and overall satisfaction, respond to issues, and provide feedback to staff
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Attend professional development conferences, seminars, workshops and webinars to stay abreast of current regulations, trends and best practices related to Educational Opportunities Centers
- Regular attendance during normal scheduled hours is required. Being present is essential for serving customers and performing the essential functions of this position
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Performs other related duties as assigned
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Demonstrated ability to maintain positive interpersonal relationships, motivate others, and work effectively both independently and as a member of a team
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Ability to delegate work appropriately, set clear directions and goals, and manage staffing and office workflow
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Ability to analyze complex data and use it to develop new processes and initiatives to improve student access and satisfaction, as well as staff efficiency
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Must demonstrate initiative, attention to detail, organizational skills, and problem-solving ability
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Must be personable and energetic with a strong student service focus
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Demonstrated ability to make formal presentations to large groups (50 people or more)
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Ability to provide exceptional and compassionate student service and to ensure staff and student employees also excel in this function
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Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse student, staff, faculty and business partner population. Additionally, must be able to effectively share complex information with students