Transfer Specialist - Full Time

City Colleges of Chicago’s vision is to be recognized as the City’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity – empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city. The community college system’s more than 3,500 faculty and staff serve more than 60,000 students annually at seven colleges and five satellite sites. Reporting to the Associate Dean – Student Services or an assigned administrator, with a dotted-line report to the District Director-Student Transfer Success, the Transfer Specialist provides comprehensive direct support to students navigating the complex process of transferring from CCC to a four-year baccalaureate institution. The Transfer Specialist is dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition by offering personalized guidance and resources tailored to each student's needs. In this capacity, the Transfer Specialist is instrumental in facilitating the transfer process, assisting students with transfer admissions, scholarship applications, and other critical steps in the student transfer journey. This work supports the goal of enhancing growth and equity in City Colleges of Chicago's student transfer outcomes. Additionally, the Transfer Specialist contributes to the development and implementation of transfer programming that aligns with key indicators of transfer student success. ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Application and Scholarship Assistance Assists students in completing the Transfer Partnership Interest form, including the necessary FERPA release, to inquire about guaranteed admission and articulation agreements. Maintains knowledge of the eligibility criteria for all CCC agreements. Provides hands-on support for the completion of transfer applications, including the Common Application and university-specific applications. Guides students through the application process, including fee waivers and transcript requests, while maintaining communication with university admissions offices to resolve incomplete applications before deadlines. Assists students with RISE Application and CSS profiles for selective universities. Helps students explore alternative financial resources if they are ineligible for traditional aid, offering individualized and group sessions on available financial opportunities. Offers constructive feedback on transfer application and scholarship essays and interview preparation. Coordinates sessions to support students in articulating their experiences and aspirations effectively, in collaboration with Academic Support. Maintains a comprehensive list of internal and external scholarships, detailing eligibility, benefits, requirements, and deadlines. Provides individualized and group support to promote these opportunities. Student Transfer Success Support Supports students in selecting appropriate coursework aligned with CCC academic programs, transfer pathways, and admission requirements, in collaboration with College Advisors and the Transfer Center Director. Connects students to various support services, such as Career Development, TRiO, One Million Degrees, Partners in Education, Wellness Center, and Academic Support. Assists students in navigating the self-guided transfer success activity guide to help them stay organized and track their progress. Educates students on utilizing transfer articulation tools (e.g., Transferology, iTransfer) as well as online resources, including college portals and planning tools to maximize the transferability of their coursework. University Experiences & Transfer Programming Supports the Transfer Center Director in building and nurturing partnerships with four-year institutions to enhance opportunities for student engagement. Organizes impactful campus tours and information sessions to familiarize students with university life, admissions, and available services. Co-develops and co-hosts transfer workshops and information sessions targeting students intending to transfer. Facilitates one-on-one appointments focused on pre- and post-transfer admission processes. Data Informed Strategy Development Analyzes and tracks student transfer success data, creating strategies to improve scholarship and transfer admission application submission rates, transfer degree completion, and overall transfer outcomes related to students transferring out of CCC. Utilizes data to identify trends and opportunities for growth, providing targeted guidance to enhance success as it relates to students transferring out of CCC. Professional Development Attends monthly college advising and transfer services meetings to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. Participates in both on-campus and off-campus training sessions and transfer-related events to enhance skills and build networks with four-year institutions. Provides college staff with transfer center updates to ensure a knowledgeable support system. Performs related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Adult Education, or a related field. Masters degree preferred. Experience supporting students in navigating the college admissions and scholarship application processes required. Experience in working with historically marginalized, racially, and culturally diverse and high-risk student populations required. Experience guiding students in completing financial aid applications, including FAFSA, the RISE Act/Alternative Application, and the CSS Profile preferred. Experience in interpreting university policies regarding appeals of financial aid award letters preferred. Experience in managing projects and coordinating activities. Experience in academic support or tutoring for writing-intensive curricula strongly preferred. Knowledge of various types of financial aid programs available to college students preferred. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills. Ability to provide exemplary customer service. Ability to manage student caseloads and maintain thorough documentation of student interactions. Ability to relate effectively to a diverse student body. Ability to use data-informed assessments and educational technologies to promote and support student access to opportunities. Proficiency in the use of OpenBook, Navigate (EAB), and Brightspace preferred. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). SPECIAL REQUIRMENTS: Availability and willingness to work some evenings and weekends, as needed. Ability and willingness to travel between Kennedy-King College, Dawson Technical Institute, and various (local) off-site locations, as needed. This position is represented by 1600 Professional Union. Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within six (6) months of hire. We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago!

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