THE ORGANIZATION Hartford Promise is a non-profit scholarship organization dedicated to providing college access to high-performing high school students through an Integrated College Success model aimed at increasing the college-going culture within the city of Hartford. There are currently 480 Hartford Promise Scholars attending 90 colleges throughout the country; they all lived in Hartford and came from Hartford high schools. Our small but mighty team is comprised of multi-passionate creators who share their talents and expertise to inspire Hartford students to REACH HIGHER and ACHIEVE COLLEGE SUCCESS. We are looking for candidates who are excited to nurture an inclusive environment and add to our incredible culture. If you are a creative committed person who thrives in a collaborative, yet flexible environment dedicated to serving the Hartford community, Hartford Promise might be the organization for you!
THE PROGRAM – REACHING BACK Through our “Reaching Back” programming, we work directly and continuously with Hartford Public School (HPS) students, counselors, administrators, and teachers to help strengthen the college-going culture in each high school, and to ensure Hartford students are aware of their talents, our scholarship, and the many college opportunities and possibilities available to them. We want Hartford students to become college-aware and college-focused at the outset of their high school years. We meet directly with students – especially On-Track Promise Scholars – throughout the school year to reinforce and advertise the Hartford Promise scholarship, services and support. Other Reaching Back activities include Promise Scholar Day to help Promise Scholars transition to college and connect with key campus contacts, Hartford Promise staff, and other students within the Hartford Promise Community, as well as Promise College Day to provide On Track seniors and juniors with greater exposure to college choices and knowledge of the college admissions process. Additional Reaching Back activities include continuous work in the Hartford high schools to expand the sense of college possibilities for Hartford students and expose Hartford students and counselors to a wide range of colleges and admissions officers. Hartford Promise will ensure students in all Hartford Public Schools are aware of and motivated by the opportunity to receive a Hartford Promise Scholarship by cultivating relationships with students as early as elementary school. We emphasize our awareness efforts throughout the high schools with a focus on the transition between 8th and 9th grade. We will conduct workshops and info sessions (in-person and/or remote) with On-Track and aspiring Scholars to make sure they are aware of their on-track status and persist in their high academic achievement and attendance record.
THE PERSON You believe – and your work has demonstrated your belief – that all students can earn a college degree and the life that comes with it. As the Director of Reaching Back Services, your mission is to lead our Reaching Back programming and collaborate with Hartford Public Schools (HPS) to strengthen the college going culture and close the college divide for Hartford students. You will have an in-person presence in HPS cultivating meaningful relationships with students, school counselors, and HPS leadership and administrative teams. You will also be the point person for Hartford Promise with the many CBO’s who provide college and career services in Hartford schools.
THE ROLE • Primary objective - increases the college going culture in Hartford, serve students, and strengthen relationship with HPS. • Implementing strategies to increase the number of eligible Hartford Promise Scholars. • Supporting HPS in college counseling and increasing the college going culture in Hartford. • Leading your team to design Reaching Back Programming to support students and their families. • Effectively cultivating and growing relationships in the school buildings with students and staff. • Key contact for Hartford Promise with the many CBO’s who provide college and career services in Hartford schools. Though the Hartford Promise Director of Reaching Back Services is likely to see themselves in the following examples, these are not requirements. These examples are designed to help you determine if this opportunity aligns with your own passion and purpose.
You are a puzzle-solver and strategist. • You use data analysis to drive your strategy and action. You consistently have a clear picture of where things are relative to short- and long-term goals. • You can break down a complex vision into clear, tangible, and measurable milestones. You see the big picture, but you thrive in the gradual pursuit. • You like to explore and build innovative approaches and have designed new ways of doing things. You make connections, determine fits, and build plans that are responsive to interlocking and evolving challenges and opportunities. You are a compelling and inspiring communicator, and this talent is rooted in your beliefs. You are a dreamcatcher. • You understand the value of a college education and the power it can have to change lives, not only for an individual, but their family and community at large. You are knowledgeable of the barriers many low-income, first-generation students face and have experience working to dismantle them. You are a continuous learner. • You are constantly learning, adapting, and developing; you constantly create and seize opportunities to refine your knowledge, skills, and mindsets in both your personal and professional life. • You proactively seek feedback, practice active listening, and act on feedback as necessary, all because you seek to be the best version of yourself for Promise Scholars. You are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. • You seek to understand and celebrate the unique identities of the individuals with whom you interact; you advocate for and elevate the voices of marginalized people and communities especially those from which our Promise Scholars come; you integrate your knowledge, skills and mindsets related to diversity and inclusion into every aspect of the work. THE SUPPORT As a mission-based organization, we believe in supporting the needs of our team members so they can ACHIEVE SUCCESS! Hartford Promise provides a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that fosters work-life integration. With access to our benefit plans and perks, you’ll have amazing possibilities at Hartford Promise. • Competitive Salary • Comprehensive Medical, Dental plans • Paid Time Off + Holidays • Paid Family Leave • 401K with an Organization Match • Additional Health Benefits and Reimbursement Accounts Apply now to join our all-star team! All interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume detailing their accomplishments as it relates to the position. For questions, contact nhenry@hartfordpromise.org. Hartford Promise is committed to Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity principles. It is the policy of Hartford Promise not to discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
