A Strategic Guide to Expanding CCR Capacity and Reach

Career and College Readiness (CCR) programs are most effective when they are embedded throughout the school community, making postsecondary planning a shared responsibility. Expanding your CCR capacity does not require significant new resources—it starts with building partnerships, empowering student leaders, and leveraging existing strengths. This page provides practical strategies to increase your impact, strengthen collaboration, and create a schoolwide culture where career and college planning is accessible, supported, and celebrated.

You Need a Team

Career and College Readiness (CCR) work is bigger than one person. Always more to do and never enough time. Expanding your capacity means building systems and relationships that multiply your impact.

This guide outlines how to:

Build a supportive CCR team across your school and community
Create student-led systems that extend your reach
Partner with educators and organizations to avoid duplication and increase efficiency
Implement sustainable structures that help you do more with the time you have

Start With Clarity: Know Your Priorities

Before expanding your team, have a well-defined picture of your key priorities

Meet with your administrator to align CCR priorities
Identify your top 3 achievable goals for the year
Establish boundaries. Concentrate on what you can do well and maintain over time.

Engage Teachers, Counselors and Staff in CCR Work

When ASPIRE Coordinators are visible, collaborative, and actively engaged in CCR efforts, staff gain a clearer understanding of the coordinator’s role and become more willing to refer students for support. Classroom access increases as teachers see ASPIRE as a valuable partner, and CCR becomes recognized as a true schoolwide priority. These connections help expand CCR opportunities, strengthen program impact, and create a more informed, supportive, and future focused school environment.

See Career & College Week Planner for the activities below.

Be Visible and Involved

Attend staff meetings regularly – Share brief College & Career Readiness (CCR) updates and highlight upcoming ASPIRE events and activities when appropriate.
Maintain strong visibility on campus.
Promote ASPIRE and increase program awareness.
Share ongoing CCR information and opportunities.
Welcome staff into your Career & College/ASPIRE Center – Encourage them to stop by, observe, or collaborate.
Build relationships intentionally – Connect with teachers, counselors, administrators, and classified staff to establish trust and strengthen referral pathways.
Share success stories – Highlight student achievements, scholarship wins, mentorship successes, or positive program impacts (while respecting privacy).

Offer Support & Encourage Participation in CCR Activities

Invite classes to visit and explore the CC/ASPIRE Center.
Provide career exploration presentations.
Collaborate with teachers to support Advisory/Homeroom CCR lessons.
Partner with English teachers on senior-year scholarship essay workshops.
Offer resources and support to Higher Education and Career Path Skills classes.
Coordinate and promote school-wide CCR activities.
Offer CCR-focused professional development or short CCR activities for staff to integrate into their work with students.
Family & community engagement – Host family CCR nights, share ASPIRE opportunities with parents/guardians and bring in community partners or industry speakers.

Student Activities

ASPIRE Question of the Day
ASPIRE/College & Career Coordinator prepares and distributes College/Career Talk “Questions of the Day.” Schoolwide teachers will take 5-10 minutes during each class period to answer their CCR Question of the Day during College and Career Week. By the end of each day students will have heard 6-8 different career/college experiences from their classroom teachers.

Career and College Spirit Dress Up Days
College and Career week should be a lot of fun and having Spirit and Career Dress Up Days give students and staff the opportunity to be connected and involved in the week. It’s not just information or an activity that they receive, instead they get to actively participate. What I love about Spirit Days is that is a celebratory atmosphere, and each day recognizes the diversity found among students interests as they proudly display their college swag, career interests, and more.

Career and College Class/Advisory Homeroom Competitions
Have classes decorate their classroom doors. The most creatively decorated door that best describes the career/college they have researched and explored wins a prize (donut, pizza, school swag, etc.) Be creative!

You may want to extend this activity over multiple class periods. Judges for the door decorating contest can be administrators/counselors/school board/ASPIRE Mentors, Volunteers from the community, etc.

Materials Needed: Art supplies (butcher/construction paper, tape glue, pens/paint, etc.) and print/copy access, etc.

College Doors – Divide students into groups to research the content/information about the college/university they are learning about. Consider: Location, cost, size, type (public/private), academic programs, cost, scholarships available, athletics/extracurricular activities, academic support/career services, average class size, etc.
Career/Trades Doors – Introduce your students to different career options. Create a list of careers (using list below or create your own) and randomly give each class a career to research and explore. Have students consider education required for the job, growth potential, salary/benefits typically offered, job skills needed, etc.).

I Went To… Staff Activity/Scavenger Hunt
This activity helps staff describe their own post-secondary journey by declaring if they went to college, went to trade school, started a career, or served in the military. This activity helps build and develop a career and college going culture by highlighting the real-world journeys that known adults pursued.

Career/Industry “ASPIRE Career Café” Presentations
Work with CTE/Classroom teachers to schedule classrooms to come to the Career Café events (career presenters) in your ASPIRE/College & Career Center throughout the week

Build a Student Team Using Student-led Systems

Student Aides, Interns, Ambassadors, and college student/alumni interns expand ASPIRE’s reach by supporting peers, creating CCR materials, and promoting events. Their leadership strengthens school culture by increasing visibility, building enthusiasm, and helping make CCR a shared, schoolwide priority. Use these applications and position descriptions to recruit for these positions:

Peer Mentors
ASPIRE Ambassadors and Student Aides
Career and College Readiness Internship
- Application
- Position Description

Recruit High School & College Students (Student Aides & Internships/ASPIRE Ambassadors)

Student-led Systems and Contributions and Opportunities to Increase Impact

Welcome students into Career & College/ASPIRE Center
Assist peers with career exploration & financial aid, scholarship, and grant applications
Create Career Pathway displays
Research and maintain scholarship list
Website/social media – content and promotion
Act as Peer Mentors
Assist with CCR events and lunchtime activities
Let them create/develop CCR events (Ownership in CCR work is key)

Student Positions

ASPIRE Ambassadors

ASPIRE ambassadors are students who are unofficial promoters of the ASPIRE Program. They naturally promote and represent the ASPIRE career and college readiness program and are knowledgeable, visible, and well connected among their peers, helping extend ASPIRE’s presence and impact throughout the school community.

These are the students you already interact with frequently in the ASPIRE/College & Career Center, or those you connect with through AVID, Advisory, CTE, or other classes. You notice their genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring college and career options. They ask thoughtful questions, actively engage with others, and often encourage their peers to get involved.

ASPIRE ambassadors help the ASPIRE coordinator strategically increase program capacity and student engagement by:

Extending the program’s visibility beyond the CCC (College & Career Center).
Encouraging peers to explore career and postsecondary options.
Connecting more students to the ASPIRE Coordinator, mentors, workshops, and resources.

Not all identified student ambassadors will become official ASPIRE Student Aides, though many may be strong candidates you choose to recruit.

ASPIRE Student Aides

A student role filled through a recruitment or selection process by the ASPIRE coordinator.

ASPIRE student aides help expand the reach and effectiveness of the College & Career Center (CCC) and ASPIRE program by supporting peers, assisting with events, and helping maintain an accessible, welcoming environment for all students exploring career and college pathways and need assistance in the CCC. Student aides are typically junior or senior students.

Things to consider:

How many student aids can you manage? Consider starting with 1 or 2, but as you find a rhythm you may add 1-2 ASPIRE student aides to each period. Encourage 11/12 grade students to complete ASPIRE Student Aid Application and provide their resume the prior term/semester.
Will you hand pick student aides or publicize need and create a formal recruitment and selection process? Consider using this two-page document that includes:
- Student Aide Position Description - Use this document as a starting point and adapt it to match the responsibilities you want your ASPIRE Student Aide to take on.
- Student Aid Application – Customize this document based on your desired eligibility and application requirements.
- Example: Student Aid Recruitment Flyer

ASPIRE Career Development Internship

In collaboration with a high school administrator, counseling team, and CTE teacher this internship is added as an elective credit to provide hands-on experience for students. The ASPIRE Career Development Internship is co-advised by a licensed teacher (CTE business or marketing teacher, etc.) and the ASPIRE Career & College Coordinator.

Similar to the ASPIRE Student Aide, this position provides an opportunity to junior and senior students who want to gain valuable employability skills and experience. The term/semester long internship is specifically added to a student’s transcript showing internship/work experience on their transcript (rather than just a student aid notation). The school can choose to provide an elective grade that is calculated into their GPA or offer as a Pass/No pass course.

Student Application Process:

Complete ASPIRE Career Development Internship Application
Submit Resume
Selected students will go through an interview process (determined by co-advisors)

Things to consider:

Number of internship positions available each semester/term
To develop an ASPIRE Career Development Internship will take time and collaboration between administration, counselors and any teachers you would like to act in a co-advisor role (a licensed teacher must be involved in order for student to receive credit and have the course be approved for transcript credit.
If you are interested in creating this internship – start by scheduling an appointment to discuss this opportunity with your supervisor/administrator at your school. Bring a clear list of desired outcomes, projects, and your site specific Career and College Center Career Development Intern position description.
Edit the Career Development Intern position description and application to provide specifics related to your site needs.

Utilize Career Technical Education (CTE) & School Clubs

Partnering with CTE programs, Student Government, and school clubs expands the reach and impact of CCR efforts. These collaborations bring in student creativity, teacher expertise, and hands-on skills that strengthen events, enhance promotion, and create richer learning experiences. By working together on workshops, presentations, projects, and schoolwide activities, ASPIRE builds stronger relationships across campus, increases program visibility, and contributes to a more engaged, career/college school culture.

Career Technical Education (CTE) Collaboration

Invite CTE Classes to your space for resume and/or interview workshops
Identify all CTE Programs at your school and assist teachers in finding career presenters for their CTE pathway
Consider ways to support and highlight CTE Programs – Consider utilizing students in these classes to assist with your work. Examples:
- Graphic Design class creates posters for upcoming events, create stickers, ASPIRE T-shirts, etc.
- Culinary Class – provides desserts for Senior Event or mentor appreciation
- Construction Class – Displays or mentor appreciation gift

Student Government & Clubs

Invite Student Leadership to participate in the creating of CCR Activities/Spirit Days
Collaborate with leadership to promote CCR activities/events (posters, push out on Class Social Media platforms, etc.)
Consider ways to collaborate for a CCR themed assembly
Co-host events or work together on service projects (can drive – Example: Half funds raised use to create a senior scholarship)
Find opportunities to present to clubs, school athletic teams (financial aid/scholarships)

ASPIRE Recommendations and Resources

It will be up to you to connect with your unique CTE & School Clubs at your school. Think outside the box.

How can you engage and partner with CTE classes and School Clubs?
Give students the opportunity to provide suggestions/ideas for CCR activities, events, or career presenters – survey student clubs/student government, classrooms for input
What CTE skills are students most excited to develop? How can you provide an opportunity to support their hands-on learning? Examples: Culinary class provides desserts for senior events, etc.
Could clubs and student government collaborate and share your ASPIRE Social media posts?
Providing classroom or club presentations………
What goals does the club/CTE pathway have this year, and how could ASPIRE support those goals?

The more partners you involve in developing your ASPIRE program the stronger it will become.

Partner with Educational and Community Organizations

Collaborating with educational and community partners expands CCR opportunities far beyond what a school can provide on its own. By engaging educational partners—alongside local organizations —schools gain access to diverse expertise, presentations, workshops, resources and service opportunities. These partnerships strengthen events, deepen family engagement, increase student support, and create a more connected, opportunity rich CCR culture throughout the school community.

OSAC/ASPIRE Outreach Presentations
OSAC staff support students, families, and educators statewide with tailored presentations and workshops on career and college readiness.

Request a presentation at your school/site: https://oregonstudentaid.gov/resources/outreach-request/
Request an OSAC/ASPIRE presentation to present and customize to meet your needs: PowerPoint Request Form

Educational Partners

OSAC/ASPIRE Program outreach & support
Collaboration with all CCR partners within your school (AVID, TRIO, etc.) for events and activities
Educational Service District – often provide CCR Support and resources
The College Place – webinars, Opportunities workbooks
Colleges/Universities
- Variety of presentation support for in-school and family engagement events/workshops
- Admissions Visits
Embark (529 Savings)

Partners

Educational Service Districts (ESDs) https://www.oaesd.org/about/esds/

Educational Service Districts (ESDs) provide small and rural district support to maintain equity and opportunities for students across the state of Oregon. ESDs encourage and support college and career education. ESDs provide a range of support - from providing professional development to assisting schools with career/college readiness activities. Coordinators in Educational Service Districts should reach out to find out what career and college readiness support their local ESD provides.

Community Partners

Local Businesses – employment opportunities and career exploration
Chamber of Commerce – partnership may offer list of career presenters
City government & Parks – volunteer/community service opportunities
Local Scholarship Foundations
Non-profits in your city/district area (Examples: Rotary, Goodwill Industries Workforce Development, Elks Club, American Legion, Financial Beginnings, etc.)
Military Recruiting Offices - May offer support for events, provide career presentations, mentor students, provide food for events, give branch stoles to seniors to wear at graduation
Banks and credit unions – may give financial literacy/budgeting presentations
Faith-based organizations – churches, Young Life, etc. – may provide mentors, food for events, scholarships, etc.

Partners

Embark (529 Savings Education Plan) https://embarksavings.com/

Oregon’s official state-sponsored 529 education savings plan. It allows individuals to invest money tax-free for qualified educational expenses, including four-year universities, community colleges, trade schools, apprenticeships, and K-12 tuition.

Embark and BottleDrop Partnership: https://embarksavings.com/bottledrop
Contact: John Valley – Embark Policy and Outreach Director John.Valley@ost.state.or.us for Embark materials (for students/families) or support for events.

The College Place – Oregon

The College Place – Oregon is a free college access center sponsored by ECMC, which offers college and financial aid counseling. The College Place Oregon provides FREE help to students and families applying to colleges and scholarships and provides virtual and in-person presentations about financial aid.

Email Jenn Satalino and request to join the monthly newsletter jsatalino@ecmc.org to receive updates about events an opportunities offered.
Annually order the FREE Opportunities Guide and Workbook: The Opportunities guide helps high school students choose the right college, understand admission requirements, identify types of financial aid and more.

Build a Mentor Program

ASPIRE Mentor Programs expand student support by engaging staff, volunteers, alumni, and community partners who offer one-on-one, group, and career focused guidance. Clear recruitment steps and practical training ensure mentors are prepared to work effectively with students. Ongoing communication and appreciation strengthen mentor commitment, increase ASPIRE’s reach and help make CCR a shared, schoolwide priority.

Mentors help expand an ASPIRE site’s impact, connecting and giving personalized support to a greater number of students. Developing a mentor program requires time and thoughtful effort, but the investment pays off with a strong and effective end result. The ASPIRE Building your Mentor Program webpage is a great source of information.

Types of Mentoring Options

ASPIRE Coordinator – You are a MENTOR (meetings with students, drop-in sessions, etc.)
School Staff Mentor (In classrooms, AVID tutors, etc.)
Community Volunteer Mentor Program
- One-on-one Mentors
- Group Mentoring (grade level, interest group, etc.)
- Expertise Mentors (from a specific career field, scholarship editor, etc.)
Alumni/College Mentors
Military Recruiters

Recruiting, Training, and Supporting a Mentor Program

Mentor Recruiting – consider your needs and the way you want to use mentors
- Initial Interview
- Background Check/ASPIRE Agreement
Mentor Training
- ASPIRE Mentors Webpage
- Onsite Training – school tour, safety procedures, school specifics
- Establish the process for mentor–student meetings
Retention – Regular mentor appreciation is essential to retain mentor commitment and service

Types of Mentors

ASPIRE Coordinator: All ASPIRE coordinators work with students and are mentors.
Traditional Mentor: Community adult volunteers who work with students 1-on-1 or in groups to help with career and college planning
Staff Mentors: ASPIRE Site staff who assist and have ongoing communication with students about their future. These may include counselors, Career and College Readiness teachers (CCR or AVID Classes), coaches, support staff, etc.
Peer Mentors: Peer mentors can be matched 1:1 or in groups for grades 6-12 on topics related to high school success, career and college exploration, or may participate in peer panels in classrooms or at events. Student aides may often be utilized as peer mentors – see Build a Student Team using Student-led Systems section.
Episodic Mentors: Community adult volunteers who occasionally assist with career and college readiness at your ASPIRE site but do not serve on a consistent basis. These mentors may provide educational career or college presentations, participate in industry/business/college panels, and more.
College Student or Alumni Mentors: Consider creating a system to stay connected to recent high school graduates who are staying local and working or attending college. Also, consider reaching out to local community colleges/universities to recruit college students as mentors. Alumni and current college students have recently gone through financial aid and the scholarship process; they understand the steps related to career/college planning and are great mentors for current students.
Project/Event Support/Administration Mentors: Community adult volunteers who assist the ASPIRE Coordinator with projects which may include working through student lists for a particular purpose (example: meeting with senior students who have not completed the FAFSA or ORSAA, Oregon Promise, OSAC Scholarship). These mentors may also be individuals who work on creating a welcoming ASPIRE Center Environment (build displays, organize center resources, etc.) or specifically assist during events or CCR activities (college fairs, family engagement events, Senior Celebration/Decision Day, field trips, etc.).
Team Lead Mentor: Experienced ASPIRE Coordinator that assists the ASPIRE coordinator in recruiting new mentors, matching mentors and students, coordination of mentor/student meetings, and providing resources and information to mentors. Team leads may also help ASPIRE coordinator with other administrative roles.

A Strategic Guide to Expanding CCR Capacity and Reach

You Need a Team

Start With Clarity: Know Your Priorities

Engage Teachers, Counselors and Staff in CCR Work

Build a Student Team Using Student-led Systems

Utilize Career Technical Education (CTE) & School Clubs

Partner with Educational and Community Organizations

Build a Mentor Program

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