Estimated Start Date: Summer 2026

Reports to: Director of Data & Evaluation

Pay: $12.50/hr

EMERGE is conducting an Alumni Outreach Study to learn more about the long-term impact of the EMERGE program and how the EMERGE program promotes economic mobility, career advancement, and life outcomes for alumni who have graduated from college.

We are seeking a full-time Alumni Outreach Lead position for the Summer of 2026 to lead data collection efforts for this comprehensive alumni outcomes study. The Alumni Outreach Lead will drive high response rates and ensure the collection of accurate, high-quality data. The Alumni Outreach Lead will serve as an outreach ambassador and data collector, helping to ensure strong alumni participation and representation across cohorts.

Role Responsibilities

The Alumni Outreach Lead will be responsible for:

1. Alumni Outreach & Communication

• Conduct structured outreach to all EMERGE alumni via text, phone, and email to drive survey completion

• Use consistent messaging to communicate the purpose of the study, including its focus on economic mobility, career outcomes, and life experiences

• Execute multiple follow-up attempts and strategies to maximize response rates toward the 60% goal

• Work with the alumni board and EMERGE staff to leverage existing relationships and networks to increase outreach effectiveness and drive survey completion

• Identify alumni with outdated or missing contact information and pursue alternative outreach strategies, including locating and messaging via platforms such as LinkedIn

• Document updated contact information and outreach pathways to improve the accuracy of alumni records

2. Data Collection Execution

• Administer surveys via phone and SMS for alumni who do not complete independently

• Ensure accurate, complete, and high-quality data entry across all interactions

• Follow scripts and standardized protocols to ensure consistency across all respondents

• Minimize missing data by prompting for complete responses 

3. Cohort Tracking & Representation

• Support outreach across alumni segments to ensure representation across: Graduation cohorts; college selectivity tiers; and demographic groups

• Track which alumni have responded and identify gaps in participation

• Prioritize outreach to underrepresented groups to support study quality

4. Data Quality & Feedback

• Maintain detailed outreach logs, including contact attempts, responses, and notes

• Flag inconsistent, incomplete, or unclear responses for follow-up

• Identify common challenges alumni face in completing the survey

• Provide feedback on scripts, survey flow, and outreach strategies to improve response rates and data quality

This role does not include:

• Designing survey instruments or research methodology

• Conducting formal data analysis or reporting findings

• Making independent decisions about incentives or study design

• Handling escalated or sensitive alumni concerns without staff support

Supervision and Support

• Student will receive clear outreach targets, alumni lists, and timelines

• Training includes study background, key research questions, and outreach best practices

• Ongoing support is provided through regular check-ins, progress tracking, and troubleshooting

Role Requirements

• The Alumni Outreach Lead must:
• Be a current EMERGE college scholar
• Be available full-time (40 hours per week) for 10 weeks in Houston over the summer (specific start and end dates are flexible based on the student’s availability from May to August).
• Have flexibility to complete up to 20% of work hours during the evenings and weekends to maximize response rates.
• Be able to commit to a hybrid schedule – business hour work is expected at the EMERGE office; evening/weekend work can be completed virtually. 
• Be comfortable engaging EMERGE alumni via phone, chat, and email
• Show attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy
• Be reliable and committed to meeting outreach goals

Ideal candidates will have: 

• At least 6 months of prior experience with customer-facing roles, data collection, and stakeholder outreach
• Show an interest in research

Physical and Working Conditions: 

• Open-office environment  
• Sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods of time.  
• Role requires walking, standing, hearing, and talking.  
• Ability to lift/carry and push/pull up to 50 pounds. 

This is a temporary 10-week position and is not eligible for regular employee benefits. The role is only eligible for EMERGE holiday pay during the employment period.