PEOPLE College Success Specialist

The Precollege Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence (PEOPLE) is a premier college readiness program sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The PEOPLE Program is seeking an individual to fulfill the role of College Success Specialist. The College Success Specialist plays a critical role in strengthening the PEOPLE program by providing continuous support to students to successfully move from precollege completion through college graduation. This role ensures students receive seamless guidance throughout their academic journey. The College Success Specialist collaborates with staff across all three PEOPLE program units-the Madison precollege team, Milwaukee precollege team, and the College team-aligning precollege and college initiatives, coordinating with campus partners, and contributing to improved retention and graduation outcomes.

The College Success Specialist is responsible for PEOPLE's transitional programming designed to ensure our precollege students are successfully integrated into the PEOPLE College Success Center. The position works with precollege students starting the summer of their junior year to ensure students are prepared for college application season and understand the intricacies of the financial aid process. This position oversees, co-coordinates, and serves as main point of contact for a number of initiatives to prepare students for college enrolment at Universities of Wisconsin system (e.g., participation of PEOPLE students in Summer Collegiate Experience (SCE) and SOAR registration process, creation and delivery of content and pedagogy for PEOPLE College Seminar and College and Career Kickstart program; and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Virtual Writing Center and Math Skills Center). This position reports to the PEOPLE Associate Director - College.

About the Precollege Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence (PEOPLE)
The Precollege Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence (PEOPLE) prepares Wisconsin students to succeed in college with an emphasis on enrollment at UW Madison. Our programming is offered in three distinct units: Madison Precollege, Milwaukee Precollege, and The College Success Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The program recruits students at the precollege level in Madison (8th grade) and Milwaukee School districts (9th grade). During the academic year, our precollege team advises students in Madison and Milwaukee public high schools, creating new pathways to higher education for low-income, and first-generation families. During the summer, our precollege team hosts our high school students in a robust residential program on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, offering students an opportunity to experience college life and build community in their cohorts. Students who are admitted/enrolled at UW-Madison are eligible for a four-year tuition scholarship. Our college team offers one-on-one high-touch advising services, unique programming created specifically for our student population, and other high impact practices to foster student success. PEOPLE provides a support infrastructure dedicated to achieving the goals of college attainment and degree completion. PEOPLE currently serves over 1,100 students (middle school to college) in the state of Wisconsin.

About the Student Engagement and Scholarship Portfolio (SESP)
The Student Engagement and Scholarship Portfolio (SESP) houses four student scholarship programs (PEOPLE Program, Posse Program, Mercile J. Lee, and First Wave/OMAI) with an infrastructure dedicated to support college attainment. Through intentional programming, personalized advising, and scholarship support, the SESP portfolio prioritizes student success, focusing on academic excellence, leadership,community building, and service. SESP prepares students to enact the Wisconsin Idea, growing as ethical and responsible leaders who can thrive in a world that is diverse, global, and interconnected.

Precollege Responsibilities
* Oversees programming initiatives for the senior cohort
* Co-leads the development of transition and college readiness curriculum
* Coordinates operations and supervises undergraduate staff within the PEOPLE Writing Center
* Coordinates operations and supervises undergraduate staff within the PEOPLE Math Success Center
* In conjunction with the Precollege Associate Directors, develops and facilitates summer residential Precollege Summer University 4 Seminar Partnerships
* Directs implementation of Precollege Summer University 4 Programming (Writing Series; College Readiness Programming; and Professional Development Curriculum)

College Responsibilities
* Leads PEOPLE x SCE Welcome
* Leads first year orientation efforts
* Position has college student advising caseload (pre-transfer, transfer, and college scholars)
* Position is directly responsible for the development and delivery of first year seminar curriculum for college freshman
* Leads professional development curriculum
* Support for annual programming of unit

Transition Responsibilities
* Serve as first point of contact for students interested in transferring to UW-Madison
* Leads Power Hour Series for high school seniors
* Serve as the PEOPLE liaison for high school seniors in the Information Technology Academy (ITA) and provides support through workshops and advising at the ITA Fall Conference, Open House, and site visits (Madison, Lac du Flambeau, and Oneida)
* Provides academic support and advising to Madison precollege STEM Academy students
* Leads transition efforts such as PEOPLE Badger Day, PEOPLE x SCE Welcome, and First Year Orientation

FTE: This position is full-time, 100%

Appointment Duration: Ongoing/Renewable

Occasional travel will be required, and some evening/weekend and overnight work will be required. Summer responsibilities leading, coordinating and operating residential program (direct involvement from Mid-June to end of July) will be required.

This position is eligible for partial remote work. Remote work requires an approved remote work agreement (RWA). An RWA requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university provided computer. Per University policy, transportation between home and assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the expense of the employee.

• Assists in defining the objectives of the program and plays a major role in carrying out program duties

• Implements and evaluates best practices in recruitment, retention, and engagement ofstudents, leveraging data, assessment, and technology to drive outcomes

• Serves on institutional and divisional committees as needed

• Works to develop and/or design curriculum and/or techniques for instruction in a disciplinary area and suggests new ways of effective instruction within that discipline

• May supervise the day-to-day activities of work unit employees involved in instructional support

• Meets with students for intake and general assessment and makes referrals to others on campus as appropriate

• Provides supplemental instruction for students enrolled in classroom, online, and/or laboratory courses in a variety of formats such as one-on-one sessions, group sessions, peer mentor sessions, and seminars

• Develops teaching techniques that enhance course effectiveness in alignment with desired outcomes and established strategy and may train other staff in use of said instructional techniques

• May participate in strategic planning and grant proposals for instructional development, new teaching methods, and program direction

• Assesses learner performance and may prepare reports recommending instructional improvements

Division for Teaching and Learning, Precollege Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence (PEOPLE)

The starting salary for the position is $60,000 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.

* At least two years of work experience serving/advising/supporting students with their educational goals; preference on work experience with targeted PEOPLE demographics
* At least two years of work experience with a college access program and/or pre-college students that provides college readiness services
* Strong experience and/or familiarity with curricular and co-curricular programming serving students transitioning from high school to college and/or first-year college students
* Experience leading or supporting programming initiatives that support student retention/persistence

* Familiarity with recruiting, hiring, and onboarding seasonal staff
* Experience planning curricular and/or co-curricular programs for students
* Ability to exercise initiative and creativity to enhance programming for undergraduate students
* Excellent interpersonal, customer service, communication (oral and written) and organizational skills
* Candidates who are bilingual in Spanish or Hmong
* Knowledge of university policies and procedures, electronic advising tools, and campus/community resources
* Knowledge of academic programs and resources at UW-Madison is highly desirable

Bachelor's Degree required

Master's Degree in higher education, student services, youth development or related field preferred

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

-Cover letter and resume

Cover Letter Requirements: In your application materials, please include a cover letter (max. 3 pages) that specifically addresses how as a candidate you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed for this position. Specifically, please briefly describe how your professional/leadership experiences have prepared you to support students (in particular, when transitioning from K12 to post-secondary education).

The deadline for assuring full consideration is December 07, 2025, at 11:59 PM (CST).

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and then every two years.

Emma Voight, emma.sippel@wisc.edu, 608-262-8152

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information

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The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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