Program Overview:
The Missouri College Advising Corps (MCAC) mission is to Empower Missouri Students to Go to College and Succeed. Headquartered at MU and part of a College Advising Corps national network, MCAC recruits, trains, and places recent college graduates as full-time, near-peer college advisers in partner high schools across the state with high percentages of students from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds.
College Adviser Duties:
Each MCAC college adviser is assigned to a partner school to help students and their families identify their “best fit” postsecondary option (e.g., 4- or 2-year institution, career/technical certification program, military or national service, etc.) and navigate admissions, financial aid, and planning processes. General duties include:
- Collaborating with school administration and counselors to foster a college-going culture.
- Meeting one-on-one and in small groups with seniors and juniors to help them identify their ‘best fit” postsecondary option.
- Providing students and their families information about and assistance with college admissions, financial aid and scholarships, and college or career planning processes.
- Planning activities for students in grades 9-12 to help them explore diverse college and career options.
- Delivering presentations and workshops to students and their families on a variety of postsecondary planning topics.
- Executing other activities that ensure students and their families recognize the value of a postsecondary education and can make informed decisions about their next steps after high school.
School Placements:
School placements are available in the Kansas City, Saint Louis, Springfield, South Central, and Bootheel regions of Missouri. Candidates will be asked their region of interest during the interview stage. Successful candidates will be notified of their assigned placement in the offer letter.
Adviser Benefits:
MCAC is an AmeriCorps program and college advisers are eligible for AmeriCorps benefits including a monthly living stipend, healthcare and childcare coverage, loan forbearance and interest accrual repayment, ongoing training and professional development, and an education award upon successful completion of the term of service. MCAC covers lodging, meals, and eligible travel expenses for training and professional development events.
Service Commitment:
Successful candidates can anticipate participating in a required summer pre-service training from July 15 – August 9, 2024 including 2 weeks of corps-wide training at Mizzou, 1 week of virtual training on specific topics including AmeriCorps Orientation, and 1 week of training within cluster regions.
The program requires a minimum one-year commitment and college advisers may serve up to 2 years (or, in special circumstances, 3 years) with the program based on satisfactory performance.
Questions:
Questions may be submitted to mcac@missouri.edu.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
About AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps invites individuals to serve alongside each other for the betterment of every community. The mission of AmeriCorps is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Visit the AmeriCorps website to learn more.