Strategic Impact Intern (August 2022– May 2023)

Position Title:  Strategic Impact Intern (August 2022– May 2023)
Department:  Strategic Impact and Planning
Reports to:  Strategy Director for Research and Evaluation
Location: Indianapolis
Duration:  2022-2023 Academic Year, August 22, 2022 – May 6, 2023
Compensation: $16-$19 per hour for student enrolled in an undergraduate program
$18-$22 per hour for students enrolled in a graduate program or a recent graduate
Schedule:  15 hours weekly required, maximum of 20 hours weekly. Schedule can be negotiated with supervisor.

Responsibilities

The candidate will be required to provide support, coordination, and assistance on the delivery of specific projects across the Strategic Impact and Planning unit that help to advance racial equity through the attainment of quality credentials that lead to economic mobility. The unit focuses on building data systems and evidence aligned with today’s students and tomorrow’s credentials to make continuous improvement, document effective practices, inform Lumina and the field, and measure progress and success against key metrics.

The candidate will work on projects across the three departments in the unit:

• Research and Evaluation (primary area of focus for the internship) builds the evidence-base for how best to support adult students of color (Black, Hispanic, and Native American) on their pathway to earning a quality credential that leads to employability, informing our internal strategic efforts and the field.
• Data and Measurement includes both an internal-facing role focused on gathering and analyzing data that guide our strategy and an external-facing role focused on ensuring federal, national, and state data systems and measures speak to today’s students and all high-quality credentials.
• Strategic Alignment and Planning creates tools, resources, spaces for conversations, and the overall environment that supports cross-department knowledge sharing and alignment of work.

Data and/or research knowledge of one or more of these areas and their context is ideal (particularly with regards to adults with some college and no degree and students of color).

• Participation: Postsecondary enrollment and re-enrollment
• Student Success: Persistence and completion of a high-quality postsecondary credential
• Employment Aligned Credentials: Improving and expanding the postsecondary capacity to deliver high-quality credentials that lead to well-paying jobs and further pathways.

Responsibilities will include:

• Tracking developments and trends in postsecondary data and research aligned with the content areas above especially for adults of color.
• Managing short projects that leverage data, research, and knowledge from the field to inform internal strategies and implementation of grants.
• Helping to align the work across the foundation noting any trends that may impact current and future work.
• Developing and maintaining databases as needed.
• Supporting structures and opportunities for strategic learning at the Foundation and in the field and support the team to ensure that learning and evaluation results are considered and integrated into ongoing efforts.
• Identifying opportunities to elevate strong ideas from the field through writing, presenting, and assisting with convenings.
• Assisting in the management of grants and contracts, including tracking, and reviewing grant reports.
• Engaging with colleagues across the foundation through internal meetings and contribute to strategizing conversations.
• Working alongside strategy officers and directors to manage project coordinating tasks.
• Other projects or tasks that the candidate and supervisor agree are related to the portfolio.

Education

Enrolled undergraduate or graduate student, or a recent graduate; we will also consider an equivalent combination of work and learning experience.

Qualifications

• Stable access to high-speed internet
• Commitment to advancing racial equity
• Knowledge of community colleges, higher education systems, and their multilayered contexts
• Ability to analyze, synthesize, contextualize, and communicate research and trends as it relates to the goals of Lumina Foundation
• Strong communication and analytical skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Ability to juggle multiple projects at a time
• Ability to work in the Indianapolis area

Applicants should send the following to the e-mail address below:

1. a letter of interest,
2. a resume outlining experience relevant to the position.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis; posting will close on July 15, 2022.

Susan D. Johnson
Director, Operations and Grants Administration
luminaintern@luminafoundation.org