Description
Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA)
College Guidance Counselor
Organizational Overview:
LEDA is a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing opportunities for exceptional students from
under-resourced backgrounds. Through our various programs, including the LEDA Scholars Program,
Career Fellows and others, we strive to develop the next generation of leaders by providing support,
education, and resources needed to excel in higher education and beyond.
Position Overview:
LEDA’s College Guidance Department provides expert college advising for a cohort of 100+
high-achieving high school students who are recruited as juniors from across the nation to become
LEDA Scholars. Specializing in selective college admissions for first-generation and/or low-income
(FLI) students, the College Guidance team emphasizes fit, individualized support, and student agency
throughout the college process. All team members model LEDA’s core values of excellence, integrity,
compassion, and community.
LEDA Scholars participate in a five-week Summer Institute hosted at Princeton and Yale and receive
intensive, remote support throughout their senior year of high school on all aspects of the college
application process.
The College Guidance Counselor is a full-time, remote staff member who lives on campus during the
Summer Institute (with room, board, and travel provided by LEDA). During the summer, Counselors
implement our college guidance curriculum and conduct 1:1 meetings with a caseload of
approximately 50 Scholars in the evenings. Throughout the academic year, Counselors maintain
regular communication with Scholars, offering proactive guidance via Zoom, phone, and text. They
provide multiple rounds of comprehensive feedback on application forms and financial aid materials,
writing detailed recommendations for each Scholar, and tracking Scholar outcomes.
Anticipated Start Date: April 2026 (exact date to be determined)
Key Responsibilities:
Advise Scholars and families through all stages of the college process — from building balanced
lists to enrolling in college.
Plan and facilitate bi-weekly LEDA College Guidance classes during the LEDA Summer Institute
Supervise and mentor a College Guidance Coordinator (seasonal intern) during the Summer
Institute
Assist with the planning and supervision of college trips during the Summer Institute
Write compelling, individualized recommendation letters
Communicate and coordinate with parents/guardians, high school counselors, and college
admissions officers
Track application, financial aid, and scholarship data in Salesforce.
Work with the College Guidance team and other LEDA staff to provide holistic student support
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required
Professional experience providing college advising to FLI students
Demonstrated professional knowledge of the college application process, financial aid, and
college scholarship opportunities
Familiarity with admission requirements of selective colleges
Experience developing and facilitating student workshops and/or classroom teaching
Willingness to reside at the Summer Institute full-time and to maintain a flexible work schedule
throughout the year, working occasional evenings and/or weekends as needed in order to
accommodate the scheduling needs of students
Superior ability to connect and communicate with youth, parents, and college admissions
officers
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Strong organizational skills, careful attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, and proven
success within a work setting that requires collaboration, cooperation, and collegiality
Demonstrated commitment to LEDA’s Mission and Core Values
Compensation:
This is a full-time remote position with full-time residential requirements during summer
programming.
Salary range: $60,000–$65,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
Benefits include:
Medical and dental insurance, premiums fully covered
Vision insurance
Generous Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
401(k) with employer contributions after 1 year
All full-time staff start with three weeks of paid vacation. Counselors receive an additional week of
comp time after the Summer Institute.
Room, board, and travel are provided during the Summer Institute.
Apply:
To be considered for this opportunity, please send an email with a cover letter and résumé to
employment@ledascholars.org with “College Guidance Counselor” in the subject line.
LEDA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
