College Access Initiative Academic Outreach Specialist

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Closing Date:

04/11/2026

Type of Position:

Student Activities and EngagementNo

Job Type:

RegularDay Shift (United States of America)No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas Fayetteville

Founded in 1871 the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nations top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education research and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills fostering a welcoming climate and nurturing creativity discovery and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nations strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health dental life and disability insurance tuition waivers for employees and their families 12 official holidays immediate leave accrual and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

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For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.

Department:

College Access Initiative of Job Duties:The College Access Initiative Academic Outreach Specialist supports the college readiness recruitment and retention efforts of the College Access Initiative (CAI) and the Division of Student Affairs. Reporting to the Director of the CAI the Academic Outreach Specialist will contribute to the design and facilitation of workshops for high school students supporters and educators with respect to college planning admissions financial aid literacy ACT and opportunities at the University of Arkansas. This position will also contribute to program planning and facilitation for academic summer programs for high school students and incoming freshmen. This position also involves professional mentoring and academic coaching of current UA students regarding their academic progress and success as well as supporting student success and cultural programming on campus. This position is housed on campus in the Multicultural Center (MC) but will require frequent overnight travel to communities across the state/region and some on-campus night and weekend events.

Regular reliable and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty as is the ability to create and maintain collegial harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited institution of higher education

• At least two or more years of relevant experience as a student leader or professional in areas such as college access outreach advocacy student mentoring or academic retention programming

• Experience as a student or professional with facilitating co-curricular programming and educational experiences for audiences of 7th-12thgrade students and/or supporters and educators

• An expressedand clearly stated or demonstrated understanding of challenges faced by individuals and groups within the context of secondary and higher education

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual or Multilingual (Spanish or Marshallese preferred)

• Masters degree in Education Higher Education Counseling Communications Community development or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education

• Academic outreach experience and a demonstrated drive to improve the college access and completion of underrepresented students

• At least one or more years of professional experience in facilitating college access outreach and academic retention programming and/or responsive programming providing advocacy for communities

• Experience with college recruiting and/or outreach in school and community settings

• Extensive academic presentation and program facilitation experience

Knowledge Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of educational issues and challenges for first-generation low-income and underrepresented students relating to high school completion and college access and completion

• Knowledge of college planning and admissions processes and ability to help students and families navigate them

• Knowledge of the ACT and ability to help students prepare for it and other college entrance exams and processes

• Strong presentation skillsthe ability to give presentations comfortably and confidently to students parents educators and higher education colleagues

• Strong analytical organizational and time management skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to develop college readiness curricula and workshops and to teach college readiness skills and facilitate related activities in-person and virtually as needed

• Ability to build rapport with high school and college students school and community partners and campus colleagues

• Ability to create environments that foster equitable participation of all groups while seeking to address and acknowledge issues of educational access

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with and gain support from a broad and diverse array of constituents including students staff faculty alumni parents community members and visitors

• Ability to travel to various events and activities as well as work some evenings and weekends based on programming needs

Additional Information:

$43923 (Commensurate with education and experience)Cover Letter/Letter of Application List of three Professional References (name email business title) ResumeProof of Veteran StatusSarah Draine Director of College Access Initiative

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions there may also be a financial (credit) background check a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract develop and retain high quality faculty staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law including age race color national origin disability religion protected veteran status military service genetic information sex sexual orientation or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex may be sent to the Universitys Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes