Office of Higher Education in Prison Academic Re-entry Navigation Coordinator- Capital Region

Location: Albany, NY Category: System Administration Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Thu Aug 13 2026 Job Description:

Position Overview:

SUNY's Office of Higher Education in Prison's (OHEP) goal is to provide currently and formerly incarcerated students resources and support they need to achieve their academic goals. OHEP researched the academic success of their students and learned that formerly incarcerated students are more likely to complete their degrees during their incarceration than in the community. In addition, due to new Pell grant mandates, incarcerated students awarded Pell are entitled to academic advising and reentry support.

To intentionally support students' academic goals in reentry, OHEP implemented a statewide equitable Academic Reentry Program which will be administered by Academic Re-entry Navigation Coordinators statewide. Navigators are full-time grant-funded positions that further SUNY's goal of achieving fair and inclusive access to quality higher education for people who are currently incarcerated and formerly incarcerated. The Navigator works directly with currently incarcerated students to develop an Academic Reentry Plan. While planning, the Navigator and student will determine which academic programs are most appropriate and what resources are needed to reach their academic and professional goals. As students transition into the community, the Navigator will continue to engage and support formerly incarcerated students through degree completion.

The Navigators will work in coordination with each other around the state to ensure students are supported no matter where they are incarcerated or return home.

Counties Served:

• Albany

• Schenectady

• Rensselaer

• Saratoga

• Washington

• Warren

• Fulton

• Montgomery

• Columbia

• Greene

• Delaware

• Sullivan

• Ulster

• Dutchess

• Orange

• Putnam

• Rockland

• Westchester

The Academic Re-entry Navigation Coordinator develops and maintains regional partnerships with colleges, universities, community-based organizations, workforce development providers, housing agencies, and other community resources throughout the assigned region to support successful academic reentry and degree completion.

Responsibilities:

Student Engagement and Partnership

• Provide incarcerated and formerly incarcerated New Yorkers with academic advising and planning specific to their unique needs to increase completion post release.

• Provide a trauma-informed, human-centered, strength-based approach to working with students.

• Coordinate localized navigation models, referral platforms, intervention efforts, and relationships with community-based organizations.

• Serve as an advisor, liaison, and advocate for incarcerated people seeking to attend a SUNY institution.

• Work collaboratively with NYS DOCCS facility staff to coordinate meetings and messaging to the incarcerated population.

• Work with campuses to provide outreach to students regarding OHEP's Academic Reentry Program and identify incarcerated people interested in post-release education.

• Onboard directly impacted students into the Academic Reentry Program and continue to work with them through degree completion.

• Identify staff at SUNY institutions who will help formerly incarcerated people access and fully participate in SUNY programs, either on campus or online.

• Meet and coordinate with regional organizations that assist formerly incarcerated people with housing, financial needs, healthcare, employment, and other basic services.

• Partner with like-minded programs in New York State to develop regional reentry workshops.

Communication and Program Development:

• Work in consultation with the Re-entry Success Manager to implement sustainable, system-wide programming.

• Network with other college navigators to share best practices and facilitate connecting students with community resources.

• Manage student referrals and transfers between SUNY colleges for students preparing for release.

• Create and maintain student-specific data for process, program, and outcome evaluation.

• Confer regularly with representatives from off-campus organizations and agencies regarding the interpretation and implementation of program and institutional policies.

• Actively participate in meetings and attend related state and local conferences.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Required Education/Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree.

• 3+ years of experience within higher education in prison, reentry, social services, or related fields.

• Must possess the ability to travel independently throughout the assigned region, including correctional facilities, SUNY campuses, partner organizations, and community-based service providers.

Preferred Education/Qualifications:

• A demonstrated ability to work with and gain the cooperation of people in a variety of organizations and positions, including academic institutions and human service organizations.

• Broad knowledge about human service and academic institutions that are relevant to the needs and aspirations of reentering people.

• Significant experience working with human service agencies, community-based organizations, and/or academic institutions.

• Familiarity with trauma-informed approaches to working with communities.

• Lived experience with incarceration, reentry, or navigating higher education as a justice-impacted individual is valued and encouraged.

Work Environment:

This position requires regular travel to correctional facilities, SUNY campuses, community organizations, and attendance at statewide meetings and training events. This position will be 50% hybrid, based out of SUNY System Administration in Albany, NY

Salary: $68,000 - $72,000 annually.

Additional Information:

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated state funding.