Alex Chewning Research Fellowship (Summer 2022)

Funded by Stuart Foundation and Ann Coles

POSITION SUMMARY:

The challenges of college affordability have never been more pronounced, and uAspire’s expertise – built over 30+ years of practice – has never been more needed across our sites and communities nationwide. While half of all students from high-income families earn a bachelor’s degree by age 25, just 1 in 10 students from low-income families do. Cost is the major reason why students fail to complete a degree. In this environment, it is critical that uAspire continues to learn what works and what doesn’t to better serve students.

The Alex Chewning Research Fellow will work on research projects that advance uAspire’s understanding of its impact and inform program improvement. The Summer 2022 Fellow will spend most of their time investigating the experiences of young adults in California who choose alternate pathways after high school aside from postsecondary education. The Fellow will join a study in its early stages, designing and administering a survey, creating a sample to follow longitudinally, conducting an initial round of interviews, assembling and analyzing data, and summarizing findings in both a report and presentation. The Fellow will have additional opportunities to collaborate with staff to identify important programmatic questions and challenges, and then analyze data to develop actionable insights and solutions.

The location of this fellowship is flexible. There is an opportunity to work remotely or from one of uAspire's offices in Boston, NYC, or the Bay Area; however, applicants must be based in the United States. The ability to work in the office is contingent upon office reopening plans amidst the COVID pandemic. The Fellow will report to the Senior Director of Research, Evaluation, and Design. The fellowship is designed for a period of 14-16 weeks, beginning in early-to-mid May and concluding in mid-to-late August.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete all phases of a research project—from design through report delivery
• Develop and refine research questions and analysis plans
• Develop survey questions and interview protocols
• Launch and administer surveys
• Lead semi-structured interviews
• Analyze data from multiple sources
• Prepare analysis summaries, written reports, and data visualizations
• Present research findings to diverse audiences

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

We understand that people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We encourage candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications below. If you believe you have the transferable skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this role, we encourage you to apply.

Education, Experience & Skills:

• Graduate student with experience conducting mixed methods research, combining elements of qualitative and quantitative research approaches
• First-hand experience with qualitative research techniques, including design and implementation of interviews or focus groups
• Experience conducting and drawing insights from exploratory data analysis
• Ability to effectively and clearly communicate research findings, including recommendations for practice and future research
• Passion for informing improvements in social programs through rigorous research

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research experience in higher education, or college access and success topics
• Knowledge and experience in application of statistical methods
• Experience with qualitative coding or data visualization software
• Knowledge of California postsecondary contexts

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Equity and Inclusion
  • Equity Mindset - Identify and examine personal biases, stereotypes, prejudices and cultural norms in ways that consider their impact on persons with marginalized identities.
  • Awareness of Inequity - Recognize the social effects of race, ethnicity, class, gender and other identities and the systems of oppression which perpetuate these inequities.
  • Advance Diversity and Inclusion - Proactively seeks out diverse perspectives and relationships within the workplace and the broader community served.
• uAspire’s Core Competencies
  • Excellence - Steps up and follows through to consistently deliver high-quality work.
  • Equity & Inclusion - Champion the values of diversity and the creation of inclusive spaces.
  • Growth Mindset - Embrace challenges and setbacks as the fuel for learning and development.
  • Teamwork - Contribute actively and collaboratively with colleagues to active shared goals.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: Early-to-mid May 2022

COMPENSATION: The salary for this position is $27.00 hourly wage, for a maximum 28 hours per week, over a period of not more than 16 weeks

LOCATION AND WORK ARRANGEMENT: Position is remote, but candidates be based in the United States, with work authorization for the United States. Preference for candidates based on the west coast. Occasional adjusted hours may be required.

REPORTS TO: Jonathan Lewis, Senior Director of Research, Evaluation, and Design

APPLICATIONS: Applicants should apply through uAspire’s website here.

ABOUT UASPIRE:

Organization Vision: uAspire imagines a day when all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential by graduating from college, regardless of their families’ financial resources or college experiences.

Organization Summary: uAspire is a national leader in providing college affordability services to young people, families, and college access and success practitioners. By 2022, uAspire’s strategic plan aims to impact the lives of 3,000,000 young people through:

• Student Advising: In person and over text, we support students one-on-one to maximize financial aid, minimize loan debt, and make informed financial decisions about the best post-secondary option for them.
• Training: Online and in-person we provide professional development for school counselors and college access providers, sharing our expertise so they can effectively support their students.
• Policy & Systems Change: To level the playing field for young people from all economic backgrounds, we work to improve financial aid systems so everyone has a chance to graduate with a degree they can afford.

uAspire is an equal opportunity employer, fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces and encourages applicants of every background. The company’s policy regarding equal employment opportunity means that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, benefits, wage and salary administration, scheduling, disciplinary action and termination will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to hr@uaspire.org.

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