Central Oregon Community College – First-Year Experience Internship
The First-Year Experience department at Central Oregon Community College (COCC) welcomes applications for a graduate student intern to assist with our Early Assist Referral System. COCC is Oregon’s oldest community college, with campuses in Madras, Prineville, and Redmond in addition to the main campus in Bend. COCC enrolls about 6,700 students in for-credit courses, about half of whom anticipate going on to a four-year institution and earning a bachelor’s degree.
Early Assist (often called Early Alert) programs support students who have been referred by a faculty or staff member for support in meeting their educational goals. COCC’s Early Assist program was first piloted in Spring 2022. In Fall 2024, Early Assist supported 225 course sections with combined enrollment of 4,000 students.
Position Description
After several training meetings, First-Year Experience interns assist with individual outreach to students who have received an Early Assist referral; log notes and updates for referrals using the Early Assist software; review synchronous and asynchronous student support programs and resources; practice using non-deficient language in student communication; and learn about design and assessment of Early Assist/student success programs, including ways in which assessment data furthers our program priorities of equity and justice. The internship concludes with an individualized workshop on how to incorporate the experience into the intern’s resume, cover letters, and job interviews.
The intern will be trained, supported, and mentored by Dr. Buffy Stoll Turton, COCC’s Director of First-Year Experience. Buffy has worked in first-year experience, orientation, and student success programs for nearly 25 years. She created COCC’s Early Assist program in collaboration with faculty and staff colleagues, and works alongside the FYE Coordinator and a graduate intern to contact students who receive Early Assist referrals.
All internship hours, including training, can be flexible and shaped around the schedule of the successful applicant. All internship hours will be completed remotely.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in any field.
- A demonstrable commitment to supporting the success of diverse college students.
- Ability to build rapport with students through positive, compassionate communication.
- Ability to learn about existing COCC resources and identify or develop new sources of student support.
- An understanding of and ability to abide by FERPA and student privacy protocols.
- An understanding of and agreement to abide by COCC’s acceptable use technology policy.
Scope
- 1 credit of Internship = 30 hours per term (typically)
- 1-3 credits per term
- The opportunity to intern for a second term may be available
To Apply – or to reach out with questions
Email a resume (cover letter optional) and the name and contact information for 1-2 references to Dr. Buffy Stoll Turton, Director of First-Year Experience at COCC: bstoll@cocc.edu.
Timing
For the Fall term 2025 internship, resumes received by June 1 will receive preferred consideration; if the internship is not filled by June 15, all resumes received will be considered until the internship is filled. Training will begin in late August or early September 2025.