MICHIGAN COLLEGE ADVISING CORPS (MCAC)

Our advisers are dynamic members of their partner high schools whose responsibilities may differ from site-to-site to fit the needs of their students and staff. The following list details the duties an adviser might be expected to perform: 

• Provide 1-on-1, near-peer mentoring to seniors and other students to support them in reaching their post-secondary goals. 
• Assist in the completion of college applications and essays, SAT and ACT registration, FAFSA submission, and scholarship applications. 
• Facilitate presentations and workshops on the importance of college, the college-planning timeline, financial aid, SAT preparation, etc. 
• Engage parents and families in the college-going process through events like Senior Parent Night or FAFSA Night, as well as through individual meetings by appointment.
• Host visits from college admissions representatives for presentations or college fairs. 
• Coordinate campus visits to colleges across the state of Michigan and beyond. 
• Execute large-scale events, often tied to statewide initiatives such as Michigan College Month, the College Cash Campaign, and College Decision Day. 
• Connect students with high school and college staff to facilitate their access to resources like academic advising, psychological services, financial aid, etc.
• Strengthen existing relationships with teachers and staff at the partner high school, college representatives, scholarship donors, and other regional college-access advocates or programs. 
• Document and track data on student interactions and deliverables tied to the College Advising Corps key performance indicators in the GRACE case management system.
• Introduce students and staff to new tech tools like ECoach, College Made, and the Wolverine Express 2.0 to increase student access to pre-college information. 

MCAC advisers commit to a year of service beginning early July through June of the following year, throughout which they will work a total of 1,700 hours through service in their partner high school, training, and volunteer opportunities. This year of services includes:

• A mandatory four-week training session on the U-M campus during the summer (with a $1,200 stipend)
• Monthly in-service training at the U-M Center for Educational Outreach
• Professional development opportunities across the state of Michigan—such as Promoting the Publics, the Pre-College and Youth Outreach Conference, and the Michigan College Access Network Conference
• A week-long summit held annually by the College Advising Corps for its advisers from across the nation.
• Weekly remote trainings with their MCAC team

• A Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a graduation date no earlier than May 2020.
• The proven ability to work effectively with youth, including those from diverse backgrounds.
• Previous experience demonstrating strong leadership abilities and collaboration with others to achieve shared goals.
• The ability to work independently and analytically, including exercising discretion and good judgment. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as proficiency in basic computer skills.
• The ability to manage multiple projects using strong planning and organizational skills.
• Prior work entering, manipulating, or analyzing data.
• A high level of energy, creativity, and initiative in developing and executing new programs.
• The ability to assume responsibility for large- and small-scale projects, as in program development or management.
• Successfully pass federal and state background screening.

Advisers are AmeriCorps members: 

• Joining AmeriCorps is a way to put your idealism into action. As an AmeriCorps member, you can help make the world a better place through your work engaging with students, families, and staff at your partner high school.
• AmeriCorps is a real-life education and work experience wrapped into one. As a member, you will learn teamwork, leadership, responsibility and other essential skills that will help you for the rest of your life; you will also gain the personal satisfaction of taking on challenges and seeing results.
• Pending completion of your 1,700 hours of service and completion of your term, you will also receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $6,495 to help pay for college, graduate school, or vocational training, or to repay student loans.

• Health insurance is provided through Relation Insurance at no cost to the adviser if not already covered by an alternative plan.
• Advisers will receive on-going professional development opportunities at the community, state, and national level.
• Advisers will become connected with a multitude of colleges and universities across the state and nation allowing networking opportunities for graduate school admissions.
• Advisers will receive intensive training in all aspects of college access, including admissions, financial aid, housing, academic advising, etc.
• Advisers will gain skills in various areas to build their résumé, including counseling, building professional relationships, networking with various partners, marketing and communication, time management, event planning, data tracking, etc.