Employment & Volunteering

Upward Bound employs a diverse staff to provide educational support and guidance and assist in enriching the lives of participants.

Application is available online

Academic Year Positions

  • Tutors Expand dropdown
    EMU college students provide tutoring assistance during the school year at the daily College Club sessions after school. College Club sessions take place at Ypsilanti Community High School from Monday through Thursday.  
  • College Coaches Expand dropdown

    The individual in this role would be mostly responsible for supporting senior high school students navigate the college application process, which may include: 

    • Revising essays
    • Researching scholarships 
    • Building college and scholarship lists
    • Tracking the progress of college application(s)
    • Tracking academic progress
    • Calling admissions departments and financial aid offices 
    • Advising students through college and scholarship applications 
    • Advocating for students needs 
    • Motivating and mentoring students
  • Office Assistants Expand dropdown

    A limited number of college students are employed each year to assist with administrative/office responsibilities.  Preference is given to EMU students who have been awarded College Work/Study as part of their financial aid award.

Summer Academy Positions

Application is available online

  • Peer Advisors
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    The Upward Bound Peer Advisor staff lives in EMU Residence Halls with local high school student participants who desire to go to college. Peer Advisors have the rewarding experience of working closely with students as a mentor to enhance their preparation both within and outside of the classroom. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Currently enrolled student (sophomore class standing or above preferred)
    • Minimum 2.8 GPA
    • Experience living in a residence hall
    • Experience and comfort with culturally diverse high school populations
    • Demonstrated skills in leadership, good judgment, communication, and positive role modeling
    • Commitment to helping students succeed in higher education
    • Willingness to work a summer camp schedule that includes travel, evenings & weekends
    • Applicants are subject to a reference and background check

    Peer Advisors are required to live on campus with participants during the Summer Academy. They provide mentoring, academic assistance and guidance to participants, serve as teaching assistants to the teachers, assist in the planning and implementation of extra-curricular activities; supervise participants in a residential setting; and chaperone on field trips. 

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    The Upward Bound Summer Academy Tutor provides academic assistance to small groups of high school students during the program’s Summer Academy. Tutors sit-in on the students classes in the morning and then provide tutoring to students in the afternoon. Subjects for tutoring include high school:

    • Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
    • English (Reading and Writing)
    • Math 1 (Arithmetic, Algebra 1 and Geometry)
    • Math 2 (Algebra II/Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus and College Math)

    Typically, tutors must be available from 8am-12pm and 1pm to 3pm, Monday through Friday, and Sundays from 8pm-10pm  for a total of 30 hours a week. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Be an undergraduate student at Eastern Michigan University
    • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.8
    • Be in good standing with EMU
    • Students who have work-study awards are strongly preferred
  • Teachers  Expand dropdown

    Certified teachers are employed during the six-week Summer Academy to teach the following courses:

    • Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
    • Math 1: Arithmetic, Algebra 1 and Geometry | Math 2: Algebra II/Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus and College Math
    • Language Arts: English Composition and Literature, Poetry
    • Foreign Language: Spanish I and II, French I and II
  • Jumpstart Program Coordinator Expand dropdown

    Jumpstart is a week-long day-camp style program meant to help new 9th graders successfully transition into the Upward Bound program in the fall. Coordinators would work with approximately 15 local college-bound 9th grader students in a classroom setting. The coordinators would be directly responsible for facilitating a pre-designed high-school & college-prep curriculum. 

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    People with expertise in particular areas are encouraged to consider volunteering during the Summer Academy to facilitate workshops for our students on a variety of interesting topics. Workshops are held in the afternoons, for three to four days. Some past topics have included:

    • Mentoring
    • Technology
    • Photography
    • Character/Personal Development
    • Music
    • Career Exploration
    • Drama
    • Community Service
    • Job Shadowing