This is an in person position working with high school students at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities East Bank campus.  

Description of UMD Upward Bound Vision Quest:
The Upward Bound Vision Quest (UPVQ) program is a federally funded college preparatory program for low-income and first-generation high school students that serves a total of 135 students in four high schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota and one in Duluth, Minnesota. The Upward Bound Vision Quest program works with students, parents, schools and the community to develop partnerships and provide services and support that promote participant success. Services are offered on site in the target schools and are designed to prepare students to succeed in applying for, and finishing postsecondary education.

The summer program is an exciting opportunity for high school students to experience college life by taking classes and living in the residence halls.  Each summer, additional staff are hired to help make the summer experience memorable.  The summer program needs motivated and caring staff to create an unforgettable student experience.

Description of Position: 
Classroom Assistants are mentors who support high school students as they get their first taste of college life while learning on the UMN-Twin Cities East Bank. For some youth, this will be their first time away from home and family. Therefore, Classroom Assistants play an important role in nurturing youth to develop habits of curiosity and commitment that sustain independent scholarship, self-directed learning, future academic pathways, and identifying resources for success. Along with all other staff, Classroom Assistants are essential to cultivating environments of health, safety, and wellbeing of youth and fellow staff. 

Outline of Responsibilities:

• Supervise, chaperone, and mentor high school participants during the daytime hours of summer program including: navigating between campus buildings, monitoring hallways, chaperone field trips, etc. 
• Actively participate in the classroom learning, interact with and redirect student behavior as needed - this is a time to be mentally and physically present
• Occasionally chaperone students on school bus from the Minneapolis high schools (South and Edison) on Monday mornings, and back on Friday afternoons
• Support teaching staff with copying, printing, filing, daily attendance, organization, facilitating small groups, and other tasks as necessary
• Tutor students as needed and within academic capacity
• Assist residence hall check-in Monday mornings and check-out Friday afternoons
• Manage essential data and documents including, but not limited to: student evaluations, attendance, surveys, flyers, schedules, and behavior reports
• Capture the power and magic of UBVQ Summer Program in photo, video, and words 
• Manage and prepare class & activity supplies, including the security of iPads and Chromebooks
• Participate in daily check-ins and weekly meetings with UBVQ Director and staff
• Observe strict data privacy and confidentiality protocols
• Other duties as assigned by Program Director

Staff Schedule:

• Staff Orientation & Training:
  • Monday, June 9 - Friday, June 13, 2025
  • 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated by the Program Director
• Week 1 - 5: Student College Experience in Minneapolis
  • June 16 â“ July 18, 2025
  • 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated by the Program Director
• Week 6: Out-of-State Trip
  • Monday, July 21, 8:30 a.m. - Friday, July 25, 5:00 p.m.
• Week 7: Debrief Week (Debrief week, participation is flexible)
  • Monday, July 28, 8:30 a.m. - Wednesday, July 30, 3:00 p.m.
• Holidays Off: June 19 & 20, June 30 - July 4, 2025

Minimum Qualifications:

• Curious, interested in learning, and willingness to try new things
• Experienced and finds value in working with high school students of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and academic backgrounds
• Experienced and confident role model / leader who can facilitate activities, chaperone field trips, and meaningfully engage students throughout a dayâ™s activities
• Success in post-secondary education environments and/or independent scholarship
• Comfort and ability to fairly intervene, support, and redirect students in moments of conflict resolution
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage and locate things in digital spaces and the physical environment
• Great communication skills, in-person and digitally
• Take initiative, be a team player, and willing to jump in to get things done
• Ability to maintain a positive mindset, sense of possibility, and communicate while problem-solving
• Available during this roleâ™s mandatory staff schedule, including five day out-of-state trip (see schedule below)
• Per University of Minnesota Safety of Minors policy, applicants must be at least 20-years-old upon hiring, and pass a background check

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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