Upward Bound Programs Part-Time Residential Mentor

Summer Residential Mentors

Upward Bound Programs (UBP), which includes Upward Bound Altoona (UBA) and Clairton & McKeesport (UBCM), is hosting a 2026 Summer Academy and is seeking five talented and motivated summer Residential Mentors (RMs) who are interested in developing their leadership and mentoring skills while engaging in academic and social activities with approximately 40 students from Altoona, Clairton, & McKeesport High Schools. The Summer Academy will operate from June 16 through July 31. RM training will occur during in June. RMs will need to be able to provide their own transportation to/from the Altoona or Greater Allegheny campus for departure of field trips or residential stays.

The six-week Summer Academy for students will consist of three weeks virtually with a weekly in-person field trip plus three weeks in a residential format – the week of June 21 at Penn State Greater Allegheny, the week of July 12 at Penn State Beaver, and the week of July 26 at Penn State Altoona. Camp responsibilities may include attending classes, providing tutorial support, leading icebreaker activities, supervising students, chaperoning weekly trips, attending staff meetings, completing program documentation and evaluations by established deadlines building a sense of community with UBA participants plus any other duties assigned by the UBP staff.

The residential camps offer a taste of college life, bearing in mind all participants are minors. Students from both Upward Bound Clairton & McKeesport and Upward Bound Altoona will participate in each of these weeks. Responsibilities may include establishing a supportive, encouraging, and welcoming environment in the residence hall; serving as a role model who exhibits sound judgment, maturity, and common sense; ensuring the well-being and safety of all students and other staff members; enforcing UBP and University regulations in a consistent and objective manner; working with a small group of students to complete an assigned project; planning and leading academic, social, and recreational activities; working closely with the program's teachers, office staff, and other individuals; chaperoning groups of students as they participate in activities both on and off campus; monitoring participants; performing regular monitoring duties such as free time check in, meal check in, and sick duty as scheduled; and assisting with cleanup of the residence hall at the end of the summer program.

The position requires daytime and evening responsibilities. In addition, the position also requires overnight duty responsibilities on a rotating basis as part of a larger team. There may also be a few virtual components of the Summer Academy. All RMs are required to stay in the student residence hall during the residential components. Hourly pay is $12.00/hr. Room and board during the three residential weeks and any meals that occur during working hours will be provided.

Successful candidates will have earned a minimum of 30 credits by the beginning of June 2026 and either be a current Penn State student or currently enrolled at another institution. Preferred candidates will have experience working with youth in a residential setting. Candidates cannot schedule classes or hold additional employment while employed by UBP. There will be some time off during weekends and on the Juneteenth and 4th of July holidays.

If interested, please submit a résumé and cover letter plus complete the PSU web application. Review of materials will begin soon with interviews starting in March. UBP is a federally funded program that prepares low-income, first-generation high school students for future success in college. At Penn State, UBP is located within The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, which serves as a catalyst and advocate for Penn State`s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact View phone number on click.appcast.io.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.