Application Guide
How to Apply for Assistant Director of Programs
at Minds Matter National, Inc.
🏢 About Minds Matter National, Inc.
Minds Matter is a national nonprofit with 14 chapters dedicated to connecting low-income high school students to college success through mentoring, coursework, and advising. Working here means joining a mission-driven network that directly impacts students' futures and values data-informed program improvement. The remote-first culture with travel to chapter sites offers a unique blend of flexibility and hands-on engagement.
About This Role
As Assistant Director of Programs (High School), you'll lead the national high school program, managing curriculum design, chapter support, and the summer program cycle. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, you'll ensure 10th-12th grade students receive high-quality mentoring and college advising across all chapters. This role is pivotal in scaling impact and ensuring program excellence nationwide.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve virtual meetings with chapter program staff to troubleshoot curriculum implementation, analyzing program data to identify trends, and updating national curriculum materials. You might also prepare for an upcoming site visit or facilitate a training session for volunteers. The role balances strategic planning with hands-on support to ensure chapters deliver high-quality programs.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Minds Matter National, Inc. Is Looking For
- Experience designing or managing high school college access programs, including mentoring and college advising curriculum.
- Proven ability to supervise and coach staff and volunteers across multiple sites, ideally in a multi-chapter or network organization.
- Data-informed mindset with experience evaluating programs, managing data systems, and translating results into clear reports.
- Strong relationship-builder who can collaborate effectively with chapter staff, volunteers, and external partners, and is comfortable with regular travel.
📝 Tips for Applying to Minds Matter National, Inc.
Highlight specific experience with high school college access programs—mention any curriculum you've designed or managed, especially in mentoring or college advising.
Quantify your supervision and coaching impact: how many sites, staff, or volunteers did you support? What outcomes did you achieve?
Show familiarity with Minds Matter's chapter model: research the 14 chapters and reference how you'd support them in your application.
Demonstrate data proficiency by describing a time you used program data to improve outcomes and communicate results to stakeholders.
Address your ability to thrive in a remote role with travel: give examples of how you've managed remote work and built relationships across distances.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your hands-on experience designing or managing high school college access curriculum, particularly mentoring and college advising.', 'Your track record of supervising and coaching staff/volunteers across multiple sites, ideally in a network setting.', "Your data-informed approach: how you've used data systems to evaluate programs and drive improvements.", "Your enthusiasm for Minds Matter's mission and your ability to build strong relationships with chapter staff and volunteers remotely."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Minds Matter's website to understand their 14 chapters, mission, and program model, especially the high school program.
- → Research the Chief Program Officer and other national team members to understand leadership priorities.
- → Look for recent news, reports, or impact data about Minds Matter's outcomes and strategic goals.
- → Investigate common challenges in multi-chapter college access programs to prepare for interview discussions.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to demonstrate specific experience with high school college access programs—generic nonprofit experience isn't enough.
- Neglecting to mention data or evaluation experience, as this role requires a data-informed approach.
- Ignoring the multi-chapter aspect: not showing how you've supported or coached across multiple sites can signal a lack of fit.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Minds Matter National, Inc.!