Pre-College Activities Coordinator

2026 Pre-College Activities Coordinator Job Description
Information for 2026 Pre-College Activities Coordinator Applicants
Harvard Summer School (HSS) seeks multiple Activities Coordinators (ACs) for the Student Activities Office (SAO) for the 2026 summer session. Serving a diverse population of students in the Pre-College Program, Activities Coordinators manage and create the signature Passport Program events and staff the Student Activities Office. The Harvard Pre-College Program is a rigorous and enriching summer experience designed for talented high school students. The program offers three non-credit, two-week sessions where students take courses with Harvard-affiliated faculty. In addition to college-level coursework, students participate in the Pre-College Passport, a program designed to ensure a well-rounded experience by engaging in two activities in each of the following categories: academic exploration, college readiness, residential activities, and off-campus excursions.
Position Description (Please see our website for the full job description and all position related details)
Reporting to the Senior Activities Coordinator, the Pre-College Activities Coordinators work in the Student Activities Office alongside the Secondary School and General Program ACs. The office staff plans an extensive series of events under the Pre-College Passport and oversees the logistics of academic field trips. These include guest lectures, social events, campus visits to local universities, and trips to notable destinations throughout New England.

Through valuable project management experience, SAO Activities Coordinators oversee a critical part of Harvard Summer School operations. Upon acceptance of this position, all ACs are expected to complete pre-assigned work, attend online meetings, and participate in training, which may begin in late May. 

Activities Coordinators are required to arrive on campus by 4 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, and remain in residence through mid-afternoon on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Responsibilities
Passport Program
Serve as the primary coordinator and point of contact for Passport programs and academic events.
Coordinate event logistics to deliver a seamless student and facilitator experience. Logistics include registration, speaker preparation, Zoom/classroom setup and hosting, post-event surveys, and related tasks.
Manage communications with Pre-College students using Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Blackthorn.
Partner and manage logistics across multiple university offices, including Dining Services, Media and Technology Services, Outings & Innings, and Transportation.

Gather and maintain information on activities (e.g., event sign-ups, attendance, cost, student feedback) and use this data to write an end-of-summer evaluation.
Oversee and manage Blackthorn (event management tool) and Qualtrics forms.
 

Operations
Assist with check-in, orientation, and check-out, which take place on three Fridays and Sundays.
Participate in an on-call rotation for activities-related emergencies.
Coordinate the daily operations of the Activities Office and keep students and residential staff informed about upcoming events.
Uphold and enforce strict adherence to HSS policies and procedures; report any instances of policy violations.
Participate in weekly meetings with the Senior Activities Coordinator, Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Residential Life, Associate Director of the Pre-College Program, and other members of the Student Activities Office.
Functional Supervision
Serve as a leader and resource to Proctors by providing help, support, and guidance.
Manage Proctors assigned to assist with activity implementation and staffing the Activities Office.
Coordinate with supervisors to provide Proctor feedback in real time and during formal evaluations.

Onboarding and Training
Participate in staff orientations and online and in-person trainings.
Complete all assigned online training modules prior to arrival on campus.
Attend and actively participate in AC training.
Plan and present activities-related training sessions for all Proctors and Resident Directors.
Other responsibilities as assigned.

Commitment
Dates in Residence: ACs must be in residence by 4 p.m. on Monday, June 8 through Saturday, August 1, including all nights and weekends.

All-Staff Orientation: Please mark your calendars for this mandatory pre-summer orientation taking place on Friday, June 6, 2026, 10:30am-12:00pm.

In-Person Training: ACs must participate in occasional virtual orientation meetings in late May and full-day on-campus meetings beginning in early June. Exact dates are TBA.

Outside Commitments: This is a full-time position (~40 hours/week). Pre-College ACs may not work another job or have additional outside commitments during the summer term.
 

Qualifications

Open to recent college graduates and graduate students, as well as undergraduate students, with a demonstrated interest in student engagement. Applicants with relevant leadership experience
supporting an ethnically and culturally diverse population of high school students are strongly preferred.
Interpersonal and communication skills: Must be customer-service oriented with a dedication to providing a high-quality support experience for Pre-College students.
Flexibility: Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and identify creative solutions to problems.
Organization and time management: Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously, with excellent attention to detail and time-management skills in a fast-paced environment.
Technical skills: Proficiency with Google Workspace (Drive, Sheets, Forms), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, SharePoint), and Qualtrics and Zoom. Experience with the OpenScholar website platform and media creation applications (Adobe Spark, Canva) is a plus.
Additional Requirements
As a condition of employment, all ACs must provide immunization records and complete Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background checks to complete the hiring process. ACs must also complete several online training modules prior to assuming duties, including modules on Title IX policy, the safety and protection of minors, mental health, non-discrimination, and anti-bullying policy.
 

Compensation Package
• Room and board for the full summer term
• A stipend of $5,000
 

Application Procedure
Priority Deadline: Submit an application online via the Harvard Summer School Activities Coordinator Jobs Application Form by January 30, 2026 by 11:59pm ET. Applications received after the priority deadline may be considered on an as-needed basis.

Materials: Prepare a brief résumé and cover letter describing relevant education and experience.

Interviews: Interviews with selected candidates will take place in February/ March.