Promise Zone Associate Director for K-12 Support and Community Engagement

Promise Zone Associate Director for K-12 Support and Community Engagement

Department: GR Promise Zone
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

The Grand Rapids Promise Zone is a program that provides free tuition for eligible students. The Grand Rapids Promise Zone Associate Director for K-12 Support & Community Engagement reports to the Promise Zone Executive Director and is responsible for leading initiatives focused on post-secondary access, K-12 support and community engagement for Grand Rapids Promise Zone students. This role involves providing strategic leadership in designing, coordinating, and implementing programs, services, and resources that enhance post-secondary access for Promise Zone students and deepening connections within our community to provide broader reach for the Grand Rapids Promise Zone. This position will oversee a team that coordinates with Promise Zone eligible high schools and the broader community to implement strategies that aid in this work.

The Associate Director will collaborate closely with Promise Zone schools and community partners to create engagement opportunities that provide increased visibility and exposure to post-secondary opportunities for students and allows for increased knowledge and agency in the decision-making and processes for post-secondary options. They will work to support the Promise Zone Success Coordinators in their roles and the implementation of programs and strategies that support the goals of each Promise Zone school. They will also work alongside the Promise Zone team to ensure a smooth transition for students from high school to college, helping them navigate and prepare for post-secondary education.

The Associate Director is expected to be knowledgeable about scholarship requirements, four-year partners, community partnerships and creative strategies to support post-secondary access for Grand Rapids Promise Zone students. This position will work with a variety of offices at GRCC, including but not limited to, Enrollment/Admissions, Financial Aid, ISIP, New Student Orientation, MTEC, as well as community partners.

Requisition ID: 1134

Department: Grand Rapids Promise Zone

Employee Group: PMA

Schedule: 40 hours/52 weeks

Compensation: AM2 $64,553

Benefits: Full Time

Reports to: Promise Zone Executive Director

Posting Open: 6/18/2026

Posting Close: 6/25/2026

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Leadership and Team Management

• Provide leadership strategic planning, development, and oversight for the Promise Zone team integrated in designated schools designed to increase post-secondary access for Promise Zone students.
• Lead the Promise Zone K-12 team by providing direction and guidance, coordinating team workflows and priorities, and monitoring outcomes to ensure effective operations and high-quality services for Promise Zone students, as well as partner schools and community organizations.
• Directly hire, supervise, train, support and evaluate staff that provide support to Promise Zone schools. Convene regular meetings, establish work expectations, and complete annual performance evaluations.
• Lead Promise Zone student access initiatives through collaboration and alignment with GRCC departments and community partners to ensure coordinated services that promote student exploration and post-secondary enrollment while continuously identifying opportunities to improve processes, enhance student engagement, and strengthen cross-departmental partnerships.
• Communicate goals, objectives, student milestones and outcomes to the Executive Director and other stakeholders as requested.

K-12 School Support and Community Engagement

• Lead the development, design, implementation, and evaluation of school support, community engagement, events and other resources, and monitor outcomes to develop new strategies and initiatives to support the access and success of Promise Zone students.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Promise Zone K-12 schools and community partners, and act as the central liaison between the Promise Zone team and college staff working with K-12 schools and prospective students, ensuring coordination of services and alignment of efforts to effectively support student post-secondary access.
• Maintains a strong understanding of the structure, systems, organizations, and day-to-day operations of school partners to effectively support students, the Promise Zone K-12 school team, and collaborate with school staff.
• Assist in the development and implementation of post-secondary access initiatives by assisting with programming which may include, but is not limited to, placement testing, post-secondary preparation activities, FAFSA completion programs, off-site placement testing, bridge programming and other related activities and events at Promise Zone schools.
• Develops and implements parent engagement and support programs to strengthen student success during high school and the transition to postsecondary education.
• Manage community organization partnerships that are applicable to college access. Ensure Promise Zone representation at meetings and events as requested and required.
• Collaborate with GRCC offices and four-year partners to create tailored initiatives and resources that support exploration and exposure of post-secondary options and the Promise Zone partnership.
• Partner with community organizations to develop outreach initiatives that promote post-secondary access and showcase the Promise Zone and post-secondary options.
• Provide leadership, collaboration with GRCC faculty and staff, and oversight in the development of comprehensive programming that provide post-secondary exposure to prospective students.
• Collaborate with GRCC, Promise Zone staff to assist with the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive onboarding and retention plan for new Promise Zone students from high school through their transition to college.
• Address student needs or challenges in response to communication from students, GRCC staff and/or K-12 school.
• Be knowledgeable and inform students/families/schools regarding academic and career degrees/certificates, and job training programs at GRCC.
• Develop, coordinate, and maintain a comprehensive schedule of all Promise Zone events for prospective and transitioning students, tracking participation and analyzing outcomes to inform program improvements.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of new Promise Zone and college success presentations, customized as needed for various programs and audiences.

Data Assessment and Communication

• Establish and monitor access/enrollment goals for Promise Zone students and utilize technology, data, predictive analytics, and reporting tools to identify student needs and target student services in order to provide services, resources, and coaching that improves student access and enrollment.
• Establish and monitor equity goals for new student access, engagement, and first year success. Collaborate with various departments to implement corresponding programs, communication efforts, and interventions to reach these goals.
• Collect, analyze, and report student enrollment, FAFSA completion, and milestone achievement data related to the department.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across the Promise Zone team to ensure continuity of student support, alignment of services, and coordinated communication that enhances student success.
• Collaborate with GRCC faculty and staff in monitoring student enrollment progress through the various college systems (e.g., data warehouse, SIS, texting platform).
• Work with the K-12 team to provide effective communication to prospective students, student supporters, and partner high schools.
• Oversee the development and deployment of content and resources for the department's social media accounts in collaboration with the Promise Zone marketing firm.
• Provide updates to the Promise Zone Board of Directors as requested by the Promise Zone Executive Director
• Oversee the data collection by the K-12l team. Ensure accurate notes of student interactions, referrals and resources are indicated in systems as appropriate.

Department/Institutional Responsibility

• Support other college-wide activities such as orientation, Open Houses, Student Block Party, and community events.
• Serve on college-wide committees, teams, and projects as appropriate and requested.
• Regular attendance during normal scheduled hours is required. Being present is essential for serving customers and performing the essential functions of this position.
• Provide direct support to and serve as a backup to the Executive Director, ensuring continuity of operations as needed.
• Persons in this role are identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSA's will be trained and responsible for reporting Clery Reportable Crimes to Campus Police as required by the Act.
• Other duties as assigned

JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Education Credentials

• Bachelor's degree required
• Master's degree preferred (or 2-4 years of relevant equivalent experience)
• Degree in Higher Education, Social Work, or related field preferred

Work Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in higher education leadership, administration, or post-secondary planning required. Experience can include graduate assistantship, internship or practicum experience.
• Knowledge of best practices in academic support programs particularly at-risk populations preferred.
• Experience in student counseling, advising, and/or teaching in a college/university preferred.
• Experience with data reporting systems, data tracking, and preparing reports required.
• Proven experience in working with diverse and at-risk student populations both with individuals and groups.
• Bilingual, English-Spanish, preferred

Skills

• Demonstrated extensive software application experience, specifically Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Canvas, student information systems (preferably PeopleSoft Campus Wide Information System), EAB Navigate, and texting platforms.
• Extensive experience planning and executing events with a high degree of organization, coordination, and attention to detail.
• High level verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Exceptional written communication skills with experience crafting clear, concise, and comprehensive messaging for diverse audiences, including students, staff, and external partners.
• Excellent presentation skills for individual and group audiences.
• Proficient in utilizing spreadsheets, word processing, and database management software.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
• Understanding of confidentiality as related to FERPA guidelines.
• Understanding of the mission of community colleges.

Physical Demands

• This position requires long periods of sitting, standing, reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds

Mental Demands

• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently both in writing and verbally to individuals and large groups.
• Must be able to effectively manage high stress student issues and concerns.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain positive interpersonal relationships, motivate others, and work effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to delegate work appropriately, set clear directions and goals, and manage staffing.
• Ability to organize work, handle multiple tasks, and meet timelines.
• Ability to work collaboratively.

Working Conditions

• GRCC will comply with any mandated health and safety requirements. Compliance information is available on our policies website.
• Most work occurs in office environments
• Must be able to work flexible hours (i.e. evenings) including occasional weekends.
• Must be able to travel locally to participate in activities at area high schools or community events.

METHOD OF APPLICATION
GRCC is only accepting online applications for this position at . Submit a cover letter and resume. The opportunity to apply for this position will close at the end of the day on the close date referenced at the top of this job posting. Individuals with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Grand Rapids Community College is an equal opportunity employer. Visa sponsorship is not available.

HIRING PROCESS
GRCC uses an Evidence Based Selection Process, where we make data driven hiring decisions to help mitigate bias throughout the hiring process. As part of this process, candidates will participate in assessments (cognitive and behavioral), reference checks and interviews.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Grand Rapids Community College creates an inclusive learning and working environment that recognizes the value and dignity of each person. It is the policy and practice of GRCC to provide equal educational and employment opportunities regardless of age, race, color, religion, marital status, sex/gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, height, weight, national origin, disability, political affiliation, familial status, veteran status or genetics in all programs, activities, services, employment and advancement including admissions to, access to, treatment in, or compensation in employment as required by state and federal law. GRCC is committed to reviewing all aspects of GRCC programs, activities, services and employment, including recruitment, selection, retention and promotion to identify and eliminate barriers in order to prevent discrimination on the basis of the listed protected characteristics. The college will not tolerate any form of retaliation against any person for bringing charges of discrimination or participating in an investigation. Further information may be obtained from the EEO Office or the Office of General Counsel, 143 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295.

To apply, visit