Position Title: Upward Bound Student Leader - Residential
Department: Ctr Student Success and Retention
Advertised Pay: 11.00
Campus Location: Washburn University
Position Summary:
Upward Bound is hiring four students to facilitate the academic, social, and cultural enrichment of high school participants during a six-week residential summer camp on the Washburn University campus. Student Leaders serve as mentors, role models, and guides while living on campus and supervising participants during the summer program.
About Washburn University:
Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of just over 7,000 students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.
Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.
Essential Functions:
-Attend paid three-day training prior to camp, live-in residence hall for 6 weeks. Provide supervision to all participants to ensure a safe and positive experience. Optional end-of-year chaperoning for additional pay.
-Student Leaders will be assigned sub-groups of students to supervise during field trips. Student leaders may also be assigned specific supervisory duties, such as supervising students in dining halls, during evening activities, etc.
-Establish and maintain positive, respectful, mentoring relationships with all participants using positive reinforcement. Develop cohesive relationships with the summer instructors and tutors who are also supporting program participants.
-Together with the Student Leader Supervisor and Upward Bound staff, develop, implement, and supervise a six-week schedule of recreational and social activities. Includes afternoon and evening programming such as visiting the Washburn University community garden, leading outside team sports, teaching an are class, etc.
-Clarify, monitor adherence to, and enforce Upward bound and Washburn University program policies and procedures with particular attention to rules governing student conduct. Document any behavioral concerns and inform the relevant Upward Bound staff.
-Conduct fire drills, tornado drills, building and room inspections, and ID checks to ensure the safety of participants. Monitor visitor access to LLC hall as well as participant movement in and out of the building and between floors.
-Attend scheduled meetings with Upward Bound staff to plan activities, discuss concerns, and promote participant safety and engagement.
-Other job-relevant duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
-Sophomore class standing at Washburn University by the end of the Spring 2026 Term with a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
-Desire to work with high school aged youth.
-Experience working both independently and within a team.
-Commitment to helping students succeed in higher education.
-Demonstrated maturity in use of appropriate leadership, communication, social, and role modeling skills.
-English proficiency (verbal, reading, and writing).
-Must be able to traverse university campus leading students from one event to the next, and be able to stay with students during the workday.
-Must be U.S. citizen because Upward Bound is a federally funded program.
-Must be CPR certified by May 28, or willing to go through CPR course paid by Upward Bound for successful applicants.
-Must pass a fingerprint background check, paid for by Upward Bound.
-CPR/First-Aid certified, Washburn Upward Bound will pay for certification to successful applicant.
Physical Requirements:
-Available for Training: May 15-30 (8 hours over 2 weeks); May 26 - July 02 (Summer Academy).
Preferred Qualifications:
-Experience working with high school aged students.
-Experience having lived in a residence hall while attending college.
-A driver's license with a good driving record.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Hourly
Background Check Required