Employment

Program Associate/Program Officer, Educator Outreach

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities. Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives a philosophically rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

The Program Associate/Officer for Educator Outreach works closely with the Associate Director for Curricular Improvement and Vice President of Academic Affairs to advance ACTA’s mission of higher education reform by leading efforts to raise high school educators’ awareness of our What Will They Learn?™ (WWTL) project. The Program Associate/Officer focuses primarily, but not exclusively, on building relationships with high school counselors and principals, professional associations of educators, communities of charter school and home school parents, organizations that bring together academically serious high school students, and aligned online communities.  The purpose of that outreach is to raise awareness of ACTA’s college-guide website, WhatWillTheyLearn.com, along with associated materials and resources.

The Program Associate/Officer receives day-to-day supervision and periodic performance reviews from the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Candidates should have very strong social media and digital communications abilities, outstanding interpersonal skills, strong enthusiasm for liberal arts education, and a good understanding of the college admissions process and timeline.  This position will require frequent travel when COVID-19 restrictions and public health guidance permit the resumption of association meetings.  In the meantime, the position will require expert-level familiarity with Zoom and a creative approach to designing and conducting engaging webinars for high school educators.

Responsibilities include the following:

• Work closely with the Associate Director aggressively to build on outreach efforts to high school counselors
• Refine and conduct regular webinars and focus groups for high school counselors
• Travel regularly to state and national meetings of professional associations of high school educators (COVID-19 permitting)
• Lead efforts to identify new ways to raise awareness about WWTL and associated resources
• Contribute to the development of new resources for counselors and educators
• Lead efforts to expand digital outreach to counselors, educators, high school students, and online communities of charter school and home school families
• Help to manage and grow the High School counselor database
• Advance ACTA’s mission of higher education reform through op-eds, blogs, and feature pieces
• Contribute to other research projects as appropriate
• Assist in the day-to-day management of “What Will They Learn?” as appropriate

The Program Associate/Officer must approach these tasks as an entrepreneurial enterprise, requiring an understanding of and proactive approach to ACTA’s program activities. He or she is expected to be personable, dynamic, well organized, highly motivated, and principled. The highest degree of personal responsibility, accountability, and honesty is expected.

Interested candidates should send an email to info@goacta.org with “Educator Outreach Application” listed in the subject line. Applicants should include their resume, cover letter, and a writing sample.