The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is cooperating with the Corporation for National Service to recruit committed individuals looking for an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of students.
Fifteen, full-time volunteers are needed immediately to serve in Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a program designed to help school districts implement new services and access resources to help middle and high school students prepare for college.
Those selected to serve will become a member of AmeriCorps*VISTA - Volunteers in Service To America. Volunteers will be responsible for assisting school personnel and other volunteers in completing need assessments and developing plans to implement GEAR UP projects. In addition, volunteers will be expected to recruit other volunteers, coordinate project activities and collect data.
"We need volunteers who want to help Oklahoma's young people,” said Chancellor Hans Brisch. “Serving as a volunteer for GEAR UP can be a great experience for anyone interested in education. Working at the school district level gives the volunteer the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of students."
Volunteers will receive training, a living allowance of approximately $332 biweekly, health insurance, student loan deferment and an education award of $4,725 for one year of service, which can be used to pay off student loans or to finance college, graduate school or vocational training. Volunteers may also choose to receive a stipend of $1,200 instead of the education award.
To be considered, volunteer applicants must have good oral and written communications skills as well as reliable transportation. In addition, experience in coordinating activities in an educational setting and familiarity with computers as a communications tool are requested. A bachelor’s degree in education, counseling or related field also is desired.
Interested individuals should write the director of Human Resources, P.O. Box 3000, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-3000 or call 405.858.4306 for an AmeriCorps*VISTA application packet.
Oklahoma received a five-year, $20.5 million GEAR UP grant in August 1999 that has been matched by more than $25 million from state and partner resources. With funds totaling $45.5 million, GEAR UP receives 45 percent of total funding from the federal government and 55 percent from other organizations.
