Program Specialist Student Support Services - Grand Rapids, United States - Aquinas College (Michigan)

Description

Summary and Purpose:

This position ensures the College is compliant in meeting the requirements of the SSS grant by providing appropriate leadership and performs additional responsibilities for CORE.

Responsibilities/Duties/Tasks/Essential Functions:

• Identifies students eligible for SSS grant aid and scholarships; conducts group sessions with eligible students and determines award amounts, notifying Financial Aid office of awards.
• Ensures federal regulations are met with regard to the number of participants in specific categories.
• Assists in the writing of Student Support Services (SSS) grant proposals.
• Maintains the SSS custom modules in Colleague.
• Creates reports necessary for the operation of CORE.
• Determines the academic needs of SSS eligible students by cross-referencing academic need codes in the grant.
• Works with ITS to ensure accurate data is available and reportable in all areas required by the SSS grant regulations and legislation.
• Collects and reports on data required to comply with federal regulations and reporting in SSS and CORE.
• Reviews admissions and financial aid applications to identify SSS eligibility of incoming freshmen prior to STAR sessions and notifies students of eligibility.
• Maintains policy standards in order to ensure data is valid, complete, and available for institutional reporting and analysis.
• Participates in the development of departmental policies and procedures and ensures compliance with standards.
• Maintains documentation of data handling procedures within CORE.
• Maintains familiarity with records issues, laws, and regulations.
• Maintains familiarity with institution-level data processes.
• Provides statistical data and analysis to staff.
• Reconciles the budgets for CORE and SSS, initiating a monthly drawdown to reimburse Aquinas College for expenses associated with the SSS Grant Program.
• Notifies Student Accounts and/or Financial Aid offices of Service Learning sponsorships, SSS grant aid, and SSS scholarships by providing student information and amount in a timely manner.
• Maintains knowledge of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) law, SSS regulations, Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (EDGAR), and Office of Management and budget (OMB) circulars.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Must have at least three years' experience working with TRIO programs.
• Must demonstrate outstanding communication and organization skills.
• Must be knowledgeable of Colleague or other student database systems.
• Must have intermediate proficiency in Excel.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Must be able to function effectively in a busy environment with interruptions.
• Constant use of computer and telephone.
• Some occasional lifting pounds)

MISSION, VISION, VALUES:

Aquinas College, an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic and Dominican traditions, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and service to others, and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good.

Aquinas College is recognized as the exceptional Catholic liberal arts college that prepares individuals for careers of leadership and service in developing a sustainable and just global community. Aquinas College is recognized by its values: Faith, Service, Learning and Community.

Aquinas College prides itself as a leader in sustainability, and this requires the participation of every member of the college community. In this regard, employees and their supervisors are expected to engage in the process of "appreciative inquiry" to identify ways that each position can advance sustainability in the employment experience.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties, all employees are expected to conform to the Aquinas College Service Statement:

The College serves our community with excellence and respect through an institutional commitment to quality, accountability, cooperation, professionalism and responsiveness.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Aquinas College is an equal opportunity employer and an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition. Aquinas College provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and service to others, and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good. Aquinas College values: Faith, Learning, Service and Community.

Aquinas College offers an excellent benefits package that includes affordable medical, dental, and vision plans, generous paid vacation each year, 16 paid holidays, paid sick time and short-term disability, and college-paid life and AD&D insurance. Additionally, Aquinas employees and their dependents are eligible for free tuition at Aquinas after one year of full-time employment.