Alumni Success Coordinator

Tennessee Higher Education Initiative

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Job Summary

The Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) is a non-profit organization working to disrupt systems of harm and create opportunities for autonomy and success by providing college access to people inside Tennessee prisons, preparing students for skillful re-entry, and reducing barriers to continued education and achievement. THEI is a grassroots, community-based organization committed to principles of harm reduction, healing, and centering the lived experiences of the people we serve. We engage in reimagining and building towards the world we want to see through systems work and direct service.

THEI seeks a full-time Alumni Success Coordinator. Under the direction of the Director of Transitional Programs, this unique role combines essential functions of alumni network coordination, case management, and reentry housing program support. The ideal candidate will excel in multitasking, possess strong organizational skills, and thrive in a collaborative environment. The position is full-time, primarily located in our Nashville Office, with some travel to other regions of Tennessee required.

Job Responsibilities

The Alumni Success Coordinator will work closely with the other members of the THEI Programs team and other partner organizations to support our alumni as they transition to their home communities and, in some cases, to continue college post-release. The Alumni Success Coordinator will provide high-quality reentry advising and planning support to a caseload of our alumni (formerly incarcerated individuals) through monthly meetings in person and virtual throughout Tennessee.

Key Responsibilities:

Case Management 

• Position yourself as an accessible source of support to students in their initial days of reentry by collaborating closely with colleagues who worked with the student pre-release, leading efforts to establish and maintain contact with the transitioning student, investing in building trust, meeting students where they are, and responding proactively to the student’s emerging reentry needs.
• Connect students and alumni with community resources and services, including but not limited to job training programs, educational opportunities, housing assistance, healthcare providers, mental health services, substance abuse treatment programs, and legal aid services.
• Facilitate access to public benefits such as SNAP (EBT).
• Advocate for alumni to ensure they receive the necessary support and services to address their needs.
• Provide ongoing case management support to alumni, monitoring progress towards goals and addressing barriers as they arise.
• Offer workshops and individual coaching sessions to develop essential life skills, such as budgeting, time management, communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
• Provide guidance on navigating daily challenges and making positive choices.
• Providing job search assistance, resume writing, interview preparation, and vocational training referrals.
• Match clients with mentors who have successfully navigated reentry themselves, providing guidance and support based on shared experiences.
• Encourage engagement in pro-social activities as appropriate, promoting a sense of belonging and social connectedness.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, documenting interactions, progress, and referrals.
• Make warm handoffs to college partners to ensure the seamless transition of support for students leaving prison, and help students proactively and soundly pursue post-secondary education opportunities.  
• Guide students through the college application process with the goal of helping students have ample access to information and autonomy.

Partnership

• Build and maintain rapport with the prison administration and staff, particularly re-entry staff (including Re-Entry Counselors, IPOs, and re-entry Navigators) 
• Serve as liaison between students and college partners in preparation for transition. 
• Build and nurture relationships with reentry organizations, state agency partners, and service providers across the state. 
• Build relationships with corporate partners to create a network of employment opportunities for THEI students returning to their communities.
• Maintain updated contacts and resource lists for referrals and warm handoffs.

Alumni Network Coordination

• Develop and grow the THEI alumni network, driving the alumni professional development agenda
• Organize and execute alumni events, workshops, reunions, and networking opportunities
• Maintain our comprehensive database of alumni contacts by updating the Sales Force as needed. 
• Collaborate with THEI’s communications team to promote alumni achievements and success stories 

Reentry Housing Program Support

• Assist with the coordination and implementation of reentry housing programs
• Conduct outreach to existing partners and potential collaborators
• Develop and facilitate workshops centered on reentry preparation and life skills education
• Assist in planning and executing events that promote THEI’s mission and engage the community
• Track, analyze, and report on program-related data to aid in evaluating program success
• Conduct appropriate life safety checks at the assigned housing facility.
• Build rapport with residents and assist them in reaching their permanent housing goals. 

Qualifications

Candidates must have a reliable car, be willing to travel across Tennessee and be comfortable working and collaborating with justice-impacted individuals. We encourage people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system to consider applying. 

THEI is seeking applicants who have transferable experience with case management, career counseling, college access and success, or other relevant one-on-one advising or coaching. Experience working with non-traditional students or disenfranchised or marginalized populations is a benefit. For additional job duties, please see the list below:

Qualifications:

Core Requirements

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree with 1 year’s experience in case management, social work, public health, college counseling, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience, whether professionally or in an informal capacity, with motivational interviewing, one-on-one success coaching, or action-planning and advising
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Drive
• The ability to collect, organize, and manage data
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel to and from prison on a regular basis, and to THEI’s Nashville offices monthly for team collaboration
• Flexible schedule, including the ability to work some evenings (with advanced notice)
• Ability to work remotely with consistent internet access, and willingness to utilize communication tools such as Zoom, Slack, and email to keep in constant touch with colleagues 

Relational Requirements

• A collaborative and communicative approach to working across teams, and a proactive approach to outreach and correspondence with students and partners
• Ability to navigate challenging professional partnership relationships with respect and resourcefulness
• Openness to creative problem-solving
• Commitment to utilize communication tools such as Zoom, Slack, and email to keep in constant touch with colleagues who may be working remotely
• Commitment to self-care and healthy boundary-setting
• Willingness to co-create an “uncommon work culture” through a shared commitment to uphold community agreements   

Social Justice Requirements

• A strong commitment to providing service to at-risk populations and understanding the mission of THEI to be located within a larger social-justice movement
• A strong commitment to breaking cycles of poverty and incarceration 
• A commitment to use Person First and humanizing language

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to work@thei.org with the subject line “Transitions Coordinator” 

Details

• Date Posted: August 30, 2024
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Other
• Service Area: Community Development
• Salary Range: $50,000