TRIO Student Support Services Counselor

TRIO Student Support Services Counselor

Category: Professional
Department: Academic Affairs
Locations: Worcester, MA
Posted:
Closes: 7/12/2026
Type:
Position ID: 201719

Program Overview

The TRIO-Student Support Services program is a grant funded program supported through the U.S. Department of Education. The program provides academic support services for disadvantaged students and is designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of eligible students who are enrolled at Quinsigamond Community College. The 5-year grant cycle will end on 8/31/2030, and employment cannot be guaranteed after that date. This is a grant funded position, and the role is dependent upon grant availability.

General Statement

The academic counselor position is a full-time grant funded position, housed within Academic Affairs. The counselor is responsible for basic career, academic, transfer and financial aid counseling; tracking student progress towards their personal objectives; tracking the success of the program based on its objectives, and working collaboratively with other areas in the College. This position is fully grant-funded and is contingent upon the availability of grant funding

Supervision Received

Reports directly to the TRIO SSS Project Director.

Supervision Exercised

Work Study Student Worker(s)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilize developmental advising to serve as an academic advisor for TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) participants, providing career, academic, transfer, and financial aid counseling tailored to students' individual educational and career goals.
• Assist the Project Director in tracking student progress toward personal goals and program objectives, supporting overall student persistence, retention, and completion.
• Ensure TRIO SSS students receive instruction and resources related to financial literacy, including budgeting, financial aid processes, and transfer planning.
• Coordinate student orientations, workshops, cultural enrichment activities, and visits to four-year colleges to promote academic success, transfer readiness, and personal development.
• Administer the PERTS Growth Mindset intervention to all TRIO students, complemented by targeted social-psychological supports, including values affirmation exercises, to mitigate the effects of stereotype threat and imposter syndrome.
• Support students holistically by addressing key non-cognitive factors?such as sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and motivation?that are critical to persistence and academic success.
• Collaborate with campus departments?including advising, financial aid, career services, and student support programs?to ensure comprehensive support for TRIO SSS students.
• Actively support the teaching and learning process by fostering a student-centered environment that promotes academic excellence, engagement, and integrity.
• Work collaboratively across the college to promote collegiality, civility, and teamwork, while advocating for the needs of first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities.
• Embrace diversity and inclusiveness by supporting equitable access to education and fostering appreciation of diverse backgrounds and perspectives among all students.
• Provide flexible, responsive, and high-quality service to students, faculty, and staff, continuously improving processes to enhance student success.
• Be available for occasional evenings, weekends, or remote work to support student programming and services.
• Conduct workshops on financial aid and literacy, transfer strategies, academic success skills, career exploration, and personal development.
• Maintain accurate written and electronic student records (e.g., Blumen or similar systems) for tracking services and outcomes, ensuring compliance with TRIO reporting requirements.
• Assist the Project Director with data collection and preparation for the Annual Performance Report (APR).
• Prepare and deliver presentations to classes and campus groups to promote recruitment and enrollment in the TRIO SSS program.
• Serve as an active member of campus committees or student support initiatives, fostering collaboration and alignment with institutional goals.
• Collaborate with staff across the SUCCESS Scholars Program, STEM Initiatives, Career and Transfer Services, and the First-Generation Student Support Center to identify strategic alignment opportunities and leverage economies of scale.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the TRIO SSS program's mission and objectives.

Impact Statement

The TRIO Academic Counselor plays a vital role in supporting first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities through holistic advising and targeted interventions. This position promotes student persistence, academic success, and degree completion while advancing equitable access to higher education opportunities.

Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Education, Human Services and/or Social Sciences with an emphasis Higher Education/School Counseling.
• Two years demonstrated experience working with disadvantaged students who display academic need.
• Two-year experience in academic advising for students entering health care careers and majors.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in using industry-standard computer applications.
• Strong written/oral communication and human relational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Multilingual capability, Spanish language fluency is a particular need.
• Strong awareness of best practices in student retention and career/academic, transfer and financial counseling.
• Familiar with test instruments (academic, career, personal).
• Demonstrated knowledge of current research concerning learning theory, student retention, and developmental education.
• Experience working in a community college environment.
• Experience in tracking student progress.
• Strong organizational skills to manage a broad range of complex and detailed processes.
• Evidence of problem-solving skills.
• Ability to see projects through from concept to full implementation.

Additional Information:
Quinsigamond Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

Quinsigamond Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Diversity, inclusion, and equity are core values at Quinsigamond Community College. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive, respectful, and equitable environment for all students, staff, and faculty. Every member on our college campus enriches our diversity. We support inclusion and are dedicated to ensuring equity in access to opportunities.

Quinsigamond Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) request.

To apply, visit

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