| Position Title: |
First-Generation Transitions Liaison |
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| Location: |
Big Rapids (Main Campus) |
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| Department: |
43105 - First Gen
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| Advertised Salary: |
$45,000-$50,000; Salary commensurate with education, experience, and other requirements. |
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Benefits:
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Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
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| FLSA: |
Exempt |
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| Temporary/Continuing: |
Temporary |
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| Part-Time/Full-Time: |
Full-Time |
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| Union Group: |
N/A |
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| Term of Position: |
12 Month |
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| At Will/Just Cause: |
At Will |
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| Summary of Position: |
• The Transition Liaison will play a pivotal role in supporting first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students by coordinating programs and services that address financial, career, academic, and wellness-related challenges.
• This position collaborates with various university partners, including Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Career Services, and Student Health and Wellness, to ensure that FGLI students have access to the resources and support necessary for a successful transition to and through college.
• This position will also serve as an outreach liaison to high school counselors, providing guidance on financial aid and college access.
• Additionally, the Transition Liaison will oversee grant-related compliance, budget management, program evaluation, and sustainability planning.
• The liaison will help to oversee and supervise social work interns throughout the academic school year.
• This is a grant-funded position with up to a four-year temporary assignment ending September 30th, 2029, with the possibility of renewal contingent upon continued grant funding and successful performance.
• The anticipated start date for this position is October 2025 at the earliest and January 2026 at the latest. However, these are estimated dates and can be revised if needed. |
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| Position Type: |
Staff |
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| Required Education: |
Bachelor’s degree
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| Required Work Experience: |
• Experience working with first-generation and/or FGLI (First-Generation, Low-Income) students.
• Experience providing support with financial aid, career development, and admissions processes.
• Experience developing or implementing supports for underrepresented student populations, with a focus on addressing barriers to academic success and promoting equitable opportunities.
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| Required Licenses and Certifications: |
Valid driver's license |
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| Physical Demands: |
- Office Environment
- Moving
- Reaching
- Sitting
- Twisting
- Driving
- Repetitive movement
- Standing
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| Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: |
• Experience with budget management.
• Grant writing and/or grant implementation oversight.
• Knowledge of career development resources and advising strategies.
• Familiarity with mental and physical health resources for student support. |
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| Essential Duties/Responsibilities: |
• Work in partnership with Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Career Services, and other university and community partners to develop and implement support programs tailored to FGLI students.
• Coordinate experienceship and internship opportunities in collaboration with Career Services.
• Develop and facilitate programming that supports FGLI students.
• Serve as an outreach contact for high school counselors across the state, providing guidance on FAFSA, financial aid, and college transition resources.
• Support the advocacy, implementation, and delivery of First-Generation and FGLI programming.
• Attend and contribute to quarterly First-Generation Advisory Team meetings.
• Identify performance gaps, troubleshoot challenges, and implement corrective actions to improve student support services.
• Ensure compliance with all grant regulations and align programming with FSU and State of Michigan policies.
• Monitor program participation and engagement, making adjustments as needed to meet defined benchmarks.
• Manage program budgets and fiscal responsibilities to ensure sound financial practices.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive program evaluation strategy and sustainability plan.
• Participate in professional development activities to stay current on best practices in first-generation student support, financial aid, career readiness, and student wellness.
• Provide training sessions and workshops for faculty, staff, and student mentors on best practices for supporting FGLI students.
• Assist with campus-wide initiatives aimed at increasing retention and persistence of first-generation students.
• Participate in off-campus driving for collaborative events and partnerships.
• Participate in recruitment and transition activities, such as Dawg Days, Admitted Student Open Houses, Orientation, and high school outreach.
• Develop and manage the program’s sustainability plan beyond the grant period.
• Participate in professional development activities to stay informed on best practices related to first-generation student success.
• Collaborate with the First-Generation Workgroup, the First-Generation Registered Student Organization, and other campus partners to coordinate programming and resource dissemination.
• Participate in evening & weekend events.
• Operates university motor or personal vehicles safely while carrying out job responsibilities.
•Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.
•Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. |
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| Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: |
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| Skills and Abilities: |
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse student population.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and university data management systems (e.g., Navigate, Banner, Canvas LMS).
• Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. |
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| Required Documents: |
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript 1
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| Optional Documents: |
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| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcript of bachelor's degree. Transcript must include institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript. |
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Initial Application Review Date:
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September 15, 2025 |
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| Open Until Position is Filled?: |
Yes |
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Posting Close Date:
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September 14, 2025 |
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| EEO Statement: |
Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement. |
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Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD. |
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