Scholarship Program Associate

The Golden LEAF Foundation is seeking a dynamic, organized, and mission-driven Scholarship Program Associate. This role is a critical link between the Golden LEAF Foundation and its Golden LEAF Scholars, with a focus on outreach, digital engagement, and operational excellence. Reporting to the Scholarship Program Manager, the Scholarship Program Associate will execute daily tasks and workflows that foster the scholarship community and support in the administration of program initiatives.

Golden LEAF Scholar Alumni are strongly encouraged to apply. 

This position is based in Rocky Mount, NC, with an anticipated start date of June 1, 2026. 

Primary Functions

Digital Content and Platform Maintenance

• Content Production: Draft, post, and monitor social media content to implement established campaigns across multiple channels, including Instagram, the ScholarsConnect community platform, and the Modern Campus Message texting platform.
• Visual Assets: Create professional graphic elements and visuals to support the scholarship program’s brand and message across multiple platforms.
• Engagement Monitoring: Monitor program social media and shared email inboxes to ensure timely and helpful responses to scholarship inquiries. 
• Reporting and Presentation Support: Pull monthly reports for Modern Campus Message and other digital channels to analyze engagement data and assist in formatting professional presentations (PowerPoint/Google Slides) for scholarship events and meetings. 

Events and Scholar Outreach

• Direct Outreach: Conduct active outreach to scholars via text and phone calls to encourage attendance and participation in scholarship initiatives.
• Event Logistics: Support the External Affairs team by preparing event materials, including briefing sheets, scholar gifts, and on-site displays such as pop-up banners.
• Inventory and Sourcing: Research and source program items (e.g., t-shirts, hats), and maintain an organized inventory checklist and storage area.

Program Operations and Impact Research 

• Data Entry: Perform routine data entry tasks, such as tracking school counselor information and engagement, and updating scholarship records.
• Internship Support: Assist in the implementation of the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative through scholar outreach and operational support.
• Outcomes Research: Support the assessment of program impact by conducting assigned research on scholar outcomes and post-graduation data.

A Day in the Life of the Scholarship Program Associate

The Scholarship Program Associate is a high-activity role that requires balancing between technical tasks and physical operations. A typical day might look like the following:

1. Review and respond to new comments and messages on ScholarsConnect and Instagram to maintain an active presence.
2. Design and create graphics and written content for the next week’s social media posts.
3. Update the inventory tracking sheet after a shipment of new scholar swag arrives and organize the items in the storage area. 
4. Text 15 scholars to confirm their attendance to an upcoming campus event and update the RSVP spreadsheet.
5. Pull the monthly analytics report from Modern Campus Message and analyze the response rates to prepare suggested improvements to increase scholar engagement and review with the Scholarship Program Manager.
6. Update the high school engagement database with contact information for 10 new school counselors.

Preferred Attributes

• A strong work ethic, including the ability to work independently, plan, set goals and objectives, organize, follow through, and meet deadlines
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong research, analytical, investigative, and organizational capabilities as well as the ability to distill ideas and clarify issues
• Capacity to manage multiple responsibilities at once and to prioritize projects to align with organizational needs
• Effective communication skills, including written communications, and the ability to interact with diverse individuals and stakeholders, from current scholars to University officials
• Understanding and appreciation for the economic challenges and opportunities of North Carolina’s rural communities
• Demonstrated interest in the mission of the Golden LEAF Foundation and a desire to be part of a mission-driven team
• Exceptional standards of professionalism, integrity and honesty, and commitment to quality in all aspects of work

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of experience relevant to the Primary Functions of the Scholarship Program Associate position listed above (this may include high-level internships, student leadership roles, or professional experience involving data analysis and project coordination).
• Experience with social media management, graphic design tools (e.g., Canva or similar platforms), and data management systems (e.g., Excel, Sheets, Airtable, or similar platforms).
• A four-year degree (completed by June 1, 2026, start date).

Preferred Qualifications

• Status as a Golden LEAF Scholar alum is preferred. 
• Demonstrated ability to improve personal and team workflows by identifying and implementing practical solutions.

Location and Work Schedule

This position will be based at the Golden LEAF offices at 301 N. Winstead Avenue in Rocky Mount, NC. Golden LEAF staff are required to work from the office on Mondays and Thursdays, with the option to work remotely the remainder of the week.

This is a part-time position anticipated to work an average of 20-25 hours per week. This part-time position may establish a regular work schedule within Golden LEAF’s core business hours of 8:30am and 5pm, subject to supervisor approval. The role requires flexibility to participate in staff meetings and scholarship events, including some in-state and overnight travel, that may fall outside of the regular schedule. 

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The following are physical and mental requirements of the position as typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical and mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, the Foundation may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.

• Operates in a professional office environment and performs primarily sedentary work.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, and phones.
• Sits for prolonged periods at a desk. Frequent standing and walking. Occasional stooping, reaching, bending, climbing, pushing, pulling.
• Repetitive use of fingers and hands for typings and other tasks.
• Frequent listening, speaking, and use of visual acuity.
• Occasional lifting up to 35 lbs.
• Ability to use all senses to safely drive a vehicle, and ability to drive a vehicle.

Timeline

Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Initial reviews of applications is expected to begin in early March. The position will be filled once the successful candidate is identified. Applicants may be asked to complete a short writing assignment or other tasks to demonstrate their ability to meet qualifications. 

Compliance

Golden LEAF will conduct a criminal background check and may conduct additional background checks and drug tests of applicants as a condition of employment.  Golden LEAF uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.