Program Coordinator - Project Start/ACCESS Scholarship

Program Coordinator - Project Start/ACCESS Scholarship

Salary

$52,943.00 Annually

Location

Main Campus, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA

Job Type

Full-Time Board-Approved

Job Number

02990

Division

Student Services

Department

Engagement & Student Support

Opening Date

08/24/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

JOB GOAL:

To advance the college's mission, vision, principles, values, and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Program Coordinator contributes to a team focused on enhancing the overall student experience through community, support, and access. Not all students enter college with equal backing and support. Through direct student support, leadership of key programs (Project Start, United Fire Group Scholarship, ACCESS Scholarships, and specialized grant programs), and relationships with campus, K-12, and community stakeholders, the Program Coordinator assists students with setting and achieving their academic and employment goals. This positions responsibilities include budgeting, program coordination, student outreach and engagement, staff support and development, and understanding community resources. The position builds ongoing relationships with students participating in assigned scholarship and support programs, including engagement with ACCESS Scholarship recipients throughout high school to support their continued connection to Kirkwood and preparation for postsecondary enrollment. The Program Coordinator also assists students in accessing student services resources, identifies educational goals for Project Start program participants, and provides accurate information to students about programs and campus resources.

The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm with some evening and weekend hours may be required.

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
• Champion Service- anticipating needs and creating a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
• Perseverance- a commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
• Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides ongoing follow-up with individual students using a case management approach focused on identifying strengths and resolving obstacles to students' successful completion of academic and career programs. Assists students in the completion of academic, career, and employment programs through personalized support and referral to appropriate student services, academic support, and community resources.
• Provides support for programs administered in the Student Engagement and Support Office, including Project Start, United Fire Group Scholarship, ACCESS Scholarship, and specialized grant initiatives.
• Coordinates ongoing outreach, engagement, and relationship-building with ACCESS Scholarship recipients throughout their high school years, through consistent communication and individualized follow-up, to maintain student connection with Kirkwood and support preparation for postsecondary enrollment.
• Coordinates programming, campus engagement opportunities, and college readiness activities for ACCESS Scholarship recipients, collaborating with K-12 partners, families, campus departments, and community partners to support their transition to postsecondary education.
• Supports ACCESS Scholarship recipients approaching high school completion by connecting students with appropriate Kirkwood admissions, financial aid, academic, and student support resources.
• Maintains student participation, engagement, and program records for assigned scholarship and student support programs.
• Assesses program effectiveness and develops procedures for program improvement.
• Communicates and collaborates with the Kirkwood Foundation and Grants Department for budgeting, planning, and reporting for all assigned programs.
• Fosters and develops relationships with local social service agencies, K-12 partnerships, and campus partners.
• Performs other related work duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Provide outstanding customer service and serve as a positive representative of the department and the Student Services division to improve student learning and success.
• Demonstrate a solid working knowledge of college student development theory, including the needs of diverse populations and student services in general.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community college philosophy, Kirkwood programs, policies and procedures, community agencies, resources and referral procedures, and other related issues.
• Demonstrate knowledge of college access, student transition, and student engagement practices that support students as they prepare for postsecondary education.
• Possess a knowledge of credit and non-credit academic programs.
• Communicate effectively through written, oral, and electronic means; possess functional knowledge of the Colleague student database, Titanium calendar, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other commonly used computer programs.
• Manage a diverse variety of work duties efficiently, effectively, and independently in an environment with regular interruptions.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, K-12 partners, community organizations, and college departments.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple programs, maintain accurate student and program records, and meet program reporting requirements.
• Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) Standing, pushing, pulling, and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%): sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking, and hearing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in higher education, social work, counseling, or related fields.
• At least two years' experience in a higher education or social service agency setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs.
• A demonstrated ability to work as a member of a diverse team.
• A demonstrated ability to work with students with diverse needs and backgrounds

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Knowledge of community resources available for food, housing, health, and childcare is preferred.
• Experience managing grants is preferred.
• Experience working with students in an academic context (teaching, advising, etc.) is preferred.

EEO/AA STATEMENT:

It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness (employees) or the Vice President of Student Services (students), 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-398-5572,equity@kirkwood.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov.

WHY KIRKWOOD:

Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Kirkwood offers a wide range of employee benefits. Read more about them here!

01

Do you have a bachelors degree in higher education, social work, counseling, or related fields with at least two years' experience in a higher education or social service agency setting?

• Yes
• No

02

What does meaningful student support look like to you, and what would you bring to a collaborative team that values strong processes, continuous improvement, and adapting to meet changing student and program needs?

Required Question

Employer Kirkwood Community College

Address 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52404

Phone 319-398-5572

Website http://www.kirkwood.edu