What are the responsibilities and job description for the Junior Program Director (Volunteer Leadership Opportunity) position at Minds Matter Chicago?
Minds Matter connects driven and determined students from low-income families with the people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college, create their future, and change the world. Minds Matter is a national organization with chapters in 14 cities across the country.
Minds Matter Chicago supports students as they grow both personally and academically, helping them build confidence, strengthen their skills, and explore opportunities beyond their immediate surroundings. We work with highly motivated students who are committed to earning a college degree and believe that financial circumstances should not limit access to higher education.
We partner with schools across Chicago who nominate high-performing sophomores to apply to the program. Interested students complete a selective application process that includes recommendations and an interview. Those accepted are paired with two mentors who support them over a three-year period. These mentors, who are college-educated professionals, serve as consistent guides and role models, often maintaining lasting relationships with students well beyond the program.
Our comprehensive program includes SAT preparation, vocabulary development, writing and critical thinking workshops, and college access support. Students receive support with college applications, scholarships, and financial aid, along with access to career panels, guest speakers, and educational field trips. Each summer, students participate in a college summer program, building exposure to campus life and preparing them for enrollment in a four-year college.
,
Junior Program Director (Volunteer Leadership Opportunity)
Looking to Gain Teaching, School Counseling, or Youth Development Experience?
Lead. Teach. Mentor. Inspire.
Looking for meaningful experience before stepping into your own classroom, counseling office, or leadership role?
Join Minds Matter Chicago as a Junior Program Director and gain hands-on experience leading high school students through engaging academic programming while working alongside experienced educators, counselors, college access professionals, and nonprofit leaders.
This is more than a volunteer opportunity. It's an opportunity to strengthen your teaching and leadership skills, build your professional network, and make a lasting impact on students preparing for college.
We're currently recruiting volunteer leaders for our upcoming program year and would love to welcome passionate educators and future educators to our team.
This Opportunity Is Perfect For
Imagine spending your Saturdays...
What You'll Gain
As a Junior Program Director, you'll strengthen skills in
What You'll Do
As Junior Program Director, you'll
For nearly two decades, Minds Matter Chicago has partnered with ambitious students from low-income families, providing individualized mentoring, academic enrichment, and college advising that helps students earn admission to and succeed at four-year colleges.
By joining our volunteer community, you'll become part of a collaborative network committed to educational equity and student success.
As a volunteer leader, you'll also benefit from
Our volunteers don't just lead programs. They help change trajectories.
Through your leadership, you'll help students build the confidence, academic skills, and college knowledge they need to pursue opportunities that can transform their futures.
Consider adding organization-specific impact metrics here, such as the number of students served annually, volunteer engagement, college enrollment outcomes, or other meaningful organizational accomplishments.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you've been looking for an opportunity to build meaningful teaching, school counseling, or youth development experience while helping ambitious students achieve their college dreams, this is it.
Join Minds Matter Chicago as a Junior Program Director and become part of a community that believes every student deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Apply Today
Ready to get started?
Complete our online volunteer application and select Curriculum, Instruction & Advising as the position you are applying for. Apply here mindsmatter.tfaforms.net/5152541
If you have questions about the role or would like to learn more before applying, we'd love to connect. Email us at volunteers@mindsmatterchicago.org
Minds Matter Chicago supports students as they grow both personally and academically, helping them build confidence, strengthen their skills, and explore opportunities beyond their immediate surroundings. We work with highly motivated students who are committed to earning a college degree and believe that financial circumstances should not limit access to higher education.
We partner with schools across Chicago who nominate high-performing sophomores to apply to the program. Interested students complete a selective application process that includes recommendations and an interview. Those accepted are paired with two mentors who support them over a three-year period. These mentors, who are college-educated professionals, serve as consistent guides and role models, often maintaining lasting relationships with students well beyond the program.
Our comprehensive program includes SAT preparation, vocabulary development, writing and critical thinking workshops, and college access support. Students receive support with college applications, scholarships, and financial aid, along with access to career panels, guest speakers, and educational field trips. Each summer, students participate in a college summer program, building exposure to campus life and preparing them for enrollment in a four-year college.
,
Junior Program Director (Volunteer Leadership Opportunity)
Looking to Gain Teaching, School Counseling, or Youth Development Experience?
Lead. Teach. Mentor. Inspire.
Looking for meaningful experience before stepping into your own classroom, counseling office, or leadership role?
Join Minds Matter Chicago as a Junior Program Director and gain hands-on experience leading high school students through engaging academic programming while working alongside experienced educators, counselors, college access professionals, and nonprofit leaders.
This is more than a volunteer opportunity. It's an opportunity to strengthen your teaching and leadership skills, build your professional network, and make a lasting impact on students preparing for college.
We're currently recruiting volunteer leaders for our upcoming program year and would love to welcome passionate educators and future educators to our team.
This Opportunity Is Perfect For
- Graduate students in Education, School Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Higher Education, or related fields
- Current or aspiring teachers looking to gain classroom leadership experience
- School counselors and counseling interns
- College access and youth development professionals
- Individuals exploring careers in education or nonprofit leadership
- Anyone passionate about helping high school students achieve their college dreams
Imagine spending your Saturdays...
- Leading engaging workshops and discussions with motivated high school students
- Building confidence in classroom facilitation and instructional leadership
- Learning from experienced teachers, school counselors, and youth development professionals
- Adapting and implementing lesson plans while contributing ideas to strengthen curriculum
- Coaching and supporting volunteer mentors
- Coordinating college visits, career exploration opportunities, and educational workshops
- Developing transferable leadership skills that strengthen your résumé and graduate school or professional experience
- Watching students grow in confidence as they prepare for college and beyond
What You'll Gain
As a Junior Program Director, you'll strengthen skills in
- Classroom facilitation
- Student engagement
- Lesson planning and curriculum implementation
- Educational leadership
- Mentoring and coaching
- Project and event management
- Family communication
- Public speaking
- Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams
- Leadership in a mission-driven organization
What You'll Do
As Junior Program Director, you'll
- Lead weekly Saturday programming for a cohort of high school juniors preparing for college.
- Facilitate engaging lessons and activities aligned with grade-level academic and college readiness goals.
- Foster a structured, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment.
- Partner with volunteer mentors to support student growth, engagement, and accountability.
- Communicate regularly with students and families regarding schedules, expectations, and program updates.
- Coordinate college visits, educational workshops, field trips, and special events.
- Collaborate with the Curriculum, Instruction & Advising team and program leadership to deliver high-quality programming.
- Help ensure every student feels supported, challenged, and empowered to reach their goals.
- Time Commitment
- Approximately 6 to 8 hours per week
- Weekly Saturday program sessions
- Occasional evening leadership meetings, planning sessions, and special events throughout the year
For nearly two decades, Minds Matter Chicago has partnered with ambitious students from low-income families, providing individualized mentoring, academic enrichment, and college advising that helps students earn admission to and succeed at four-year colleges.
By joining our volunteer community, you'll become part of a collaborative network committed to educational equity and student success.
As a volunteer leader, you'll also benefit from
- Career Compass Exchange, our professional learning and networking series
- Collaboration with educators, counselors, nonprofit leaders, and professionals across industries
- Ongoing leadership development and volunteer training
- A supportive community committed to learning, collaboration, and service
Our volunteers don't just lead programs. They help change trajectories.
Through your leadership, you'll help students build the confidence, academic skills, and college knowledge they need to pursue opportunities that can transform their futures.
Consider adding organization-specific impact metrics here, such as the number of students served annually, volunteer engagement, college enrollment outcomes, or other meaningful organizational accomplishments.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you've been looking for an opportunity to build meaningful teaching, school counseling, or youth development experience while helping ambitious students achieve their college dreams, this is it.
Join Minds Matter Chicago as a Junior Program Director and become part of a community that believes every student deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Apply Today
Ready to get started?
Complete our online volunteer application and select Curriculum, Instruction & Advising as the position you are applying for. Apply here mindsmatter.tfaforms.net/5152541
If you have questions about the role or would like to learn more before applying, we'd love to connect. Email us at volunteers@mindsmatterchicago.org