FirstGen College Success Fellow

Note: This is a full-time ACC AmeriCorps position with Corazón Healdsburg

About the American Connection Corps:

The American Connection Corps (ACC), an AmeriCorps program of Lead For America (LFA), is a service fellowship program aimed at helping communities build the digital connectivity necessary to expand opportunity and economic mobility, ranging from healthcare access to quality employment.

ACC Members serve with locally-rooted organizations, helping address the digital divide and strengthen access to opportunity. Through their service, they gain hands-on experience, build in-demand skills, and explore career pathways while making a tangible impact in their communities.

About Corazón Healdsburg

Mission: To build a compassionate and just community by empowering and dignifying individuals and families, advocating against injustices, and uniting people to celebrate diversity.

Corazón Healdsburg lives this mission every day by standing alongside working families and ensuring they are seen, heard, and supported. Through our bilingual Family Resource Center, we provide holistic, family-centered case management, direct assistance for basic needs, and trusted guidance during moments of crisis and transition. We also work to address the root causes of financial instability through programs such as computer literacy and financial literacy classes, helping families gain the skills and confidence to navigate systems, access resources, and plan for long-term stability.

Position Overview

The AmeriCorps Member will support the First Gen Early College Counseling program by assisting with college readiness workshops, helping students build digital literacy skills, and providing individualized and small-group assistance to students navigating key steps such as FAFSA completion, scholarship applications, and summer program opportunities. Under the guidance and supervision of program staff, the Member's support helps ensure first-generation students have the tools, resources, and confidence to successfully navigate the college preparation process.

Key Responsibilities

The ACC Member will:

1. Summer Journals Project:

• Work with students participating in the summer program to complete their Summer Journals, providing guidance, feedback, and support to help students reflect on their learning and growth.
• Track student participation and progress, maintaining service-related documentation for staff review and approved program reporting purposes.
• Assist in reviewing journals for content, organization, and readiness for college-related reflections.

2. Onboarding Handbook for New Students:

• Assist staff with developing, organizing, and updating a comprehensive onboarding handbook for incoming students, including program expectations, key resources, and step-by-step guidance on navigating the First Gen Early College Counseling program.
• Collaborate with staff and current students to ensure content is clear, user-friendly, and culturally relevant.
• Support completion and distribution of the handbook within the first quarter of service to ensure it is ready for new student orientation.

3. Student Participation Agreements for Returning Students:

• Support the contract (student participation agreements) renewal process for returning students, including outreach, follow-up, and collection of necessary documentation under staff direction.
• Maintain organized records of student contracts in accordance with established program procedures and under staff supervision and ensure all renewals are completed by specified deadlines.
• Support timely completion of returning student contract renewals.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assist with college readiness workshops, digital literacy training, FAFSA guidance, scholarship applications, and summer program opportunities.
• Maintain accurate service-related student records, track participation metrics, and contribute to program reporting.
• Collaborate with program staff, mentors, and volunteers to ensure effective implementation of approved service activities and support student success.
• Participate in required AmeriCorps trainings and approved service activities.

Performance Goals:

• Support high levels of student engagement with Summer Journals.
• Complete and implement the onboarding handbook within the first quarter of service.
• Support timely completion of returning student contract renewals.
• Support at least 80% of workshops.

All activities performed by the AmeriCorps Member will occur under staff supervision and within the approved AmeriCorps position description and program scope. The Member serves in a direct service and capacity-building role and may not independently determine student eligibility, provide financial aid counseling beyond approved navigation assistance, supervise staff or volunteers, engage in fundraising or grant writing, or perform duties that duplicate, displace, or supplant employees or contractors.

Learning & Development Opportunities

As an ACC Member, you will receive structured training and support throughout your service year, including: 

• A two-week-long virtual orientation with the national cohort to kick off the service year.
• A week-long, in-person national Winter Institute convening with your ACC cohort — travel, lodging, and a per diem stipend are fully covered.
• Twice-monthly virtual training on skills for service, including project management, asset-based community development, grant writing, and serving vulnerable populations, plus self-paced curricula with opportunities to earn badges and credentials.
• A structured community listening tour at the start of service to understand local needs, assets, and opportunities.
• Dedicated 1:1 support from a Lead For America Program Coordinator and twice-monthly peer pod meetings for networking and professional development.
• Access to a national network of ACC Members, alumni, and community partners.

Requirements

• Passion for community service and connecting your neighbors to the digital tools, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Interest in gaining experience in community development or digital inclusion.

Eligibility:

• Be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Be 17 years of age or older by the start of service.
• Have not already served four (4) or more AmeriCorps State/National terms. 

Timeline:

We are currently recruiting Members to serve from December 7th, 2026 - August 13th, 2027. Members will serve full-time (approximately 40 hours per week), completing 1200 hours of service over the course of the term.

Application Process:

1. Submit Your Application: Complete the application on the next page to join our general talent pool.
2. Host Site Review: Our host site organization will review your application, and invite those moving forward to interview.
3. Lead For America Interview: Finalist candidates will be invited to interview with the Lead For America team.

Benefits

Full-time ACC Members receive: 

• A $23,300 living stipend (dispersed bi-weekly over the course of the service term)
• A $5,220 Segal Education Award through AmeriCorps, which can be applied to education-related expenses after the program concludes (including repayment of qualifying student loans).
• Healthcare coverage (if applicable).
• Access to childcare benefits.
• Student loan forbearance during your year of service.
• Fully-funded ACC Winter Institute druing the year.

**Non-Discrimination

**This institution operates in accordance with Federal and AmeriCorps civil rights and non-discrimination requirements. This program is available to all. All program documents, including compliance history information, may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact us at ACCinfo@leadforamerica.org

Note: The ACC program does not offer part-time or remote member positions at this time.