Higher Education in Prison College & Career Liaison

Under the general guidance of the Administrative Director, the Higher Education in Prison College and Career liaison will work closely with the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (IL-CHEP) and the Institute on Public Safety and Social Justice (IPSSJ) staff to support the development and implementation of transformative educational initiatives within correctional facilities. This role focuses on liaising and managing student support services and fostering partnerships to enhance educational access and promote successful reintegration post-release. Ideal candidates will bring a passion for educational equity, strong leadership in program management, and a commitment to leveraging higher education for social impact.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree in a related field preferred. 
•  Experience working in higher education, preferably within prison education programs and/or related  
• Minimum five (5) years documented experience coordinating projects and/or in a student facing role required. Experience working with students in a correctional setting, and Spanish-speaking preferred to assist Spanish speaking incarcerated students.
• Strong organizational and communication skills. 
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including incarcerated individuals and stakeholders in the criminal justice system. 
• Passion for social justice, education equity, and reform initiatives. 

K/S/A

• Functional knowledge of project management principles and tools.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• In depth knowledge of various human behavior and motivation theories and approaches.
• Ability to demonstrate independent and responsible judgement and decision making.
• Ability to consistently identify opportunities for improvement and make recommendations based on observations.
• Strong demonstration of alignment with Adler’s social justice mission and vision.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving and visioning acumen.
• Ability to proactively identify challenges and barriers to stated objective and employ assistance in addressing these.
• Strong collaboration acumen and abilities.
• Demonstration of Emotional Intelligence and professional maturity.
• Proficient and functional knowledge of MS Office (Work, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook)
• Strong research acumen and abilities.
• Strong communication acumen including written, oral, and listening.

Supervision (if applicable):  N/A

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Project Support: Support IL-CHEP projects and initiatives aimed at expanding educational opportunities and educating higher education institutions on prison education. 
• Conduct Workshops: Organize and lead IL-CHEP workshops on college preparation, career development, and financial aid resources tailored for incarcerated individuals and those recently released. 
• Student Engagement: Work closely with college students inside prisons and those preparing for release, assisting them in navigating higher education opportunities and engaging them with university partners, practicum programs and initiatives within the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (IL-CHEP). 
• Partnership Development: Increase participation and collaboration with Adler University, IL-CHEP University Partners to expand educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals upon release. 
• Academic Liaison: Serve as a liaison between Adler University's IL-CHEP project, and other Higher Education university members to facilitating interactions such as guest speaking engagements, and academic support initiatives. 
• Communication Facilitation: Maintain ongoing communication with incarcerated students through GTL (Global Tel Link) systems, responding to letters, and distributing regular newsletters and resources to IL-CHEP members in prisons. 
•  Learning Management Systems: Assist in developing and conducting workshops and classes for returning students on using college-level learning management systems (e.g., D2L, Canvas), providing guidance on accessing resources and overcoming educational barriers. 

Work Environment (Physical Demands):  The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Universal Core Behaviors:

Communication:

• Effectively expresses oneself in all oral and written communications.
• Exhibits good listening and comprehension skills.
• Keeps others informed, as well as responds, in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates match between words and actions.
• Responds with tact, diplomacy, respect and composure when dealing with others.
• Promotes the spirit and essence of the School’s Vision, Mission, Values and Key Strategies through both verbal and written communication.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

• Cooperates with others toward the achievement of common goals.
• Seeks consensus and win-win solutions to problems and conflicts.
• Contributes actively and participates fully in team initiatives.
• Puts success of the team above own interests.
• Builds and maintains constructive work relationships.

Responsive to Change:

• Supports changes in the work environment.
• Displays a proactive, problem-solving approach toward work.
• Committed to life-long learning by continuously increasing skills, knowledge and effectiveness.
• Actively seeks and initiates creative and innovative solutions.
• Exercises sound, accurate and informed independent judgment when needed.

Quality-Driven and Accountable:

• Results-oriented and committed to quality through continuous process improvement.
• Eliminates ineffective activities and closes performance gaps.
• Anticipates and responds to customer needs.
• Monitors own performance, accept responsibility for actions and actively seeks feedback.
• Meets deadlines and completes projects and activities in professional, timely manner.
• Seeks opportunities to increase productivity and/or reduce costs while maintaining highest quality standards (fiscally responsible).

Support of Vision, Mission, Values, Key Strategies:

• Supports and models the School’s Values of: social interest, compassion, justice, respect for the individual, honors diversity and difference, intellectual rigor, optimism and collaboration.
• Articulates the School’s Vision, Mission, and Key Strategies in a way to educate others.
• Demonstrates active commitment in advancing the School’s Vision, Mission and Key Strategies.
• Exhibits personal integrity, honesty, zeal and compassion.
• Aligns work processes to advance the School’s strategic plan and key strategies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Adler University that all persons are entitled to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) protection. The University does not discriminate against any individual for employment because of age, religion, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status (including unfavorable discharge from the military), or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

As part of the Adler's equal employment opportunity policy, Adler will also take affirmative action to ensure that minority group individuals, females, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans, Armed Forces service medal veterans, and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.