Scholarship Director, Program Officer for Education

Scholarship Program Background

Since 1995, the Connelly Foundation has been delivering two signature scholarship programs serving students attending Archdiocese of Philadelphia (AOP) high schools: Neumann Scholars (NS) and Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards (JCCA). Together, the two programs serve approximately 500 high school students in the AOP annually (approximately 5% of all AOP high school students) with a total investment of $2.4 million each year. The key elements of the scholarships are currently tuition support, counseling support, and summer enrichment. Connelly Foundation scholarship counselors provide college guidance support to the 500 NS and JCC award winners.

The key elements of the scholarship program are as follows:

Tuition Support

• By virtue of scoring on a merit-based exam and elementary academic performance, 40 eighth grade students are awarded Neumann Scholarships – 4-year full tuition scholarships to be used at any of the Archdiocesan High Schools.
• By virtue of selection by individual schools within the city of Philadelphia and eighth grade enrollment, approximately 100 eighth grade students are bestowed the Josephine C Connelly Achievement Award (JCC) annually – 4-year scholarships covering 40% of tuition at any of 17 (soon to be 15) Archdiocesan High Schools. 

College Counseling Support

• Three counselors provide college guidance support to the 500 NS and JCC award winners, advising on areas such as high school course selection, summer enrichment, college application preparation, financial aid, high school readiness, and college selection.

 Summer Enrichment

• NS students are provided tuition support during the summer between junior and senior year to attend pre-college summer programs.

In 2021, the Connelly Foundation completed an evaluation of its scholarship programs. The result was a resounding affirmation of continued commitment to the scholarship program, affirming a well-designed and managed program. There is eagerness to undertake the suggested program modifications and launch expanded and enhanced programming and student support.

Position Overview

The Scholarship Program Director, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, will coordinate and implement the Foundation scholarship program and bring innovation, best practices, and evidence-based ideas to continue program excellence, build upon the strong program foundation, and initiate new enhanced programming. Reporting to the Vice President for Grantmaking, the Program Officer portion of the role will advance strategies that promote positive trends for PreK–12 Catholic schools in the Philadelphia area, including enrollment growth; improved academic quality; strong leadership; better financial health and business practices; and solid student outcomes.

Scholarship Program Responsibilities

• Manage and execute the NS and JCC scholarship programs to include but not limited to managing scholarship counselors, delivering summer programs, executing scholarship payments, maintaining scholarship database, producing reports, overseeing events, handling administrative tasks, coordinating communication, and implementing enhancements.
• Innovate and grow the program with the focus of providing scholarship students high quality support through four years of secondary education. Develop regional student leaders of tomorrow through the scholarship program. Offer new ideas and fresh perspectives.
• Lead with enthusiasm and excited engagement with internal and external parties including students, parents, school leaders, universities, and other education partners. Be a present and visible partner with school leaders and visit schools regularly. Serve as liaison with the AOP. Promote the value of the scholarship brand and sense of community.
• Implement the recommendations of the Foundation’s 2021 scholarship evaluation.

• Supervise the work and professional development of the program’s scholarship counselors. Advise scholarship recipients in academic matters to support counselor caseload if needed.

• Maintain responsibility for all aspects of risk and liability considerations, developing a program that serves the best interests of students, families, schools, and the Foundation.
• Create and deliver annual events for scholarship students, families, and school community.

• Develop program outcomes and annual metrics to measure program effectiveness. Maintain accurate and up to date student databases and study and cyclically report on historic trends, opportunities, and performance. Implement a student information system for counselors.

• Actively review student performance, supports, and student, parent, and school satisfaction.

• Develop a mastery of scholarship program delivery and strive for high programmatic scholarship program delivery to create a national model.

Education Responsibilities

• Guided by the Foundation’s new strategic plan, identify and pursue grantmaking initiatives to invigorate Catholic education in the Philadelphia region.
• Develop and maintain education database and materials to inform grantmaking strategy.
• Lean in, contribute, and engage on the wider spectrum of education portfolio work including grantmaking review when needed.
• Contribute to three or more of the Foundation’s existing education initiatives including: Promoting Achievement through Classroom Technology (PACT); Math Matters; and the Connelly Access Program (CAP).
• Lead initiatives, research, and data collection as assigned.

Please send cover letter of interest and resume to hr@connellyfdn.org