To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.
 
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: 
This is a temporary part-time position effective from October 2024 until May 2025.  Under limited supervision, the Mentor Alumni supports Program Coordinator and Study Abroad Advisor with study abroad programming, recruitment activities in person around Kirkwood’s campuses as well as virtually utilizing social media, contacting potential study abroad applicants, hosting short-term program groups, and program coordination. This position requires cross-cultural awareness, excellent customer service skills, independent judgment, problem-solving and decision-making skills, strong organizational skills, excellent communication skills, computer skills, project management skills, and professionalism.  The Alumni Mentor position will be temporary, but imperative in starting up a new initiative, particularly the Study Abroad Mentor Program, Let’s Go to Africa campaign, and increasing Black students’ participation in Kirkwood study abroad programs. The Alumni Mentor will help the Program Coordinator and Study Abroad Advisor recruit Kirkwood students to join the Ghana Study Abroad Program. Alumni Mentors will help and advise the recruited students, offering support as Study Abroad Alumni, and have focused conversations on academics and travel. Alumni Mentors must attend the initial orientation in October, monthly events promoting study abroad programs, and pre-departure meetings.

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES: 

• Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together as a team with a willingness to take ownership and account for their actions. 
• Champion Service- anticipating needs and creating a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment. 
• Perseverance- commitment to excellence, even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success. 
• Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence. 

• Assist Program Coordinator and Study Abroad Advisor from October 2024 until May 2025 with logistics, including planning events and the overall Alumni Mentor Program.
• Recruit 10 underrepresented students for the Ghana Study Abroad Program.
• Meet monthly with recruited Study Abroad students, to help and support them with the study abroad process.
• Help and advise the recruited students, offering support as Study Abroad Alumni, and have focused conversations on academics and travel.
• Support mentees of the Alumni Mentor Program with the application process.
• Support the “Let’s Go to Africa” initiative and related events.
• Attend all pre-departure meetings, the initial orientation, monthly events, and mandatory pre-departure meeting on April 5th. 
• Collaborate with Kirkwood Black Student Union, TRIO, and Global Voices to recruit underrepresented students for study abroad.
• Perform other related work duties as assigned.

• Strong customer service attitude.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Work effectively in both an individual role involving independent judgment, as well as in a team role.
• Support Program Coordinator, Study Abroad Advisor, and the Alumni Mentor Team.
• Excellent human relation, communications, and problem solving skills.  
• Ability to get along with diverse populations and personalities.
• Strong computer skills.

Position involves working in an office setting. Constant (67-100%) standing conducting presentations or standing at tables, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.  

• Completed a study abroad experience (short term or semester) at Kirkwood Community College or other.
• Must be able to work and attend all monthly meetings from October 2024 until May 2025.

• Willingness to work evening and weekend hours as requested (rarely).
• Public presentation skills or experience.
• Recommended by a Kirkwood study abroad leader and/or Kirkwood faculty member.
• Foreign language proficiency and/or international living experience 

EEO AA/STATEMENT:

It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-398-5572, equity@kirkwood.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, Telephone: (312) 730-1560 Facsimile: (312) 730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.
 
 WHY KIRKWOOD:
 Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.
 
 Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.