Utah State University’s STARS GEAR UP program is hiring a College Advisor (Program Coordinator II) to support students in three federal GEAR UP grants. As part of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP), the program provides academic preparation services to students and their families in partner school districts serving low-income communities. This position requires regular travel to USU campuses/centers and partner schools across Utah. This position is eligible for hybrid work within the state of Utah.

The College Advisor plays a critical role in the college-going pipeline—helping middle school students explore career pathways, supporting high school students with college preparation, and advising first-year college students as they transition into post-secondary education. The Advisor will also collaborate closely with Site Coordinators, school staff, families, and campus partners to deliver programming, support summer camps, and ensure students are connected to needed resources. This role will work to create professional partnerships with higher educational institutions throughout Utah to help GEAR UP reach grant goals and objectives. 

*Employment contingent upon annual federal funding and needs of the program*

• Provide individualized face-to-face advising to GEAR UP college first-year students, supporting: Academic navigation, class scheduling and major exploration, financial aid and scholarship processes, and accessing campus resources (tutoring, advising, involvement, etc.). Contingent upon continued funding and need, this will continue for the first year of the position before transitioning to focusing on secondary school students.
• Record and track all student interactions and programming data in reporting systems.
• Provide direct advising, college and career exploration, early awareness activities, and ongoing academic/success support as the students progresses through secondary and postsecondary education.
• Assist Site Coordinators with: College visits and campus day trips, FAFSA and financial aid workshops, parent engagement nights, school community events, classroom or advisory lessons and any additional site-level college access programming
• Maintain a regular in-school presence through classroom visits, AVID support, tabling at lunch, and participation in school events, build strong relationships with teachers, counselors, and administrators.
• Promote college and career pathways, including 2-year degrees, 4-year universities, technical colleges, and certificate programs.
• Participate in planning long-term college access strategies, collaboration, and shared programming across the three grants.
• Collaborate with Site coordinators, Program Coordinators and Directors to plan GEAR UP summer camps.
• Participate in ongoing in-person and virtual PD through program partners, contingent on available funding.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, or closely related field; plus, two years of experience working with middle, high school or college freshmen students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Counseling, or closely related field.
• Data entry and analysis.
• Experience with college Financial Aid and student services administration.
• Proficiency in event planning and facilitation.
• Experience with GEAR UP or similar federal grants/student service programs.
• Familiarity with Southern Utah/Sanpete County (e.g., community ties, residence, etc.).

Job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted into at text box at the end of the application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. This position requires regular travel to USU campuses/centers and partner schools across Utah.

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is committed to inclusive excellence in research, teaching, and service activities across a wide array of education and human service fields. The college is home to eight academic departments with approximately 200 faculty who are engaged in innovative research and high-quality graduate and undergraduate education. The college’s programs and outreach missions are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers. Faculty, students, and staff within the college also engage with a broad range of community partners to both provide opportunities for community-engaged research and learning and enhance the quality of education and human service programs throughout the state of Utah.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 12/2025

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 10/2025