Graduate Admission Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

St. Mary's University, as a Catholic Marianist University, fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic excellence.

SUMMARY: The Graduate Admission Counselor will serve as primary contact in recruiting and advising prospective students throughout the admission process, building strong relationships, and providing exceptional customer service to ensure positive engagement with the graduate programs. Under the direction and supervision of department leadership, this position will develop, coordinate and participate in activities, events, and programs that promote the graduate programs. This position is responsible for various recruitment efforts, including prospect management, communication activities, nurturing campaigns, and relationship management necessary to carry out the mission and strategic plan of the school and the University.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively engages in recruitment efforts to attract prospective students to graduate programs.
• Attends recruitment college fairs, conferences, companies, and other outreach events representing St. Mary's.
• Cultivates relationships with undergraduate institutions, professional organizations, and community groups to generate leads and raise awareness of graduate offerings.
• Promotes combined degree programs to currently enrolled undergraduates interested in St. Mary's graduate school.
• Works with (CRM) online application and admission system (Slate) to track inquiries, applications, acceptances, enrollments, etc.
• Provides regular reports and analysis on recruitment activities, application numbers, and conversion rates.
• Tracks and monitors trends in admission, identifying areas for improvement and opportunities for increased student enrollment.
• Assists prospective students with the application process, including providing detailed information on admission standards, academic programs, student life, cost, financial aid, and campus graduate student support services.
• Provides feedback to applicants on their status, required documentation, and next steps.
• Offers personalized guidance to prospective students and applicants throughout the admissions process.
• Conducts informational sessions, webinars, and one-on-one consultations.
• Collaborates with faculty, program directors, and other stakeholders to stay informed on program changes, academic offerings, and updates to application processes.
• Contributes to developing recruitment strategies, including marketing campaigns, digital outreach, and lead generation efforts.
• Assists with developing promotional materials and communication strategies to enhance the visibility of graduate programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university required; Master's degree in higher education, counseling, business, or related field preferred.
• 2-3 years of experience in college admission, student recruitment, or counseling.
• Previous experience in graduate admission or recruitment preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and advise prospective students, using diplomacy and discretion at all times; an ability to work effectively with communities across the university.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to work extended hours or weekends during peak times and for special programs, projects, and events and to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Must be able to present and engage in a stationary position with various constituencies, both in online and physical spaces, for up to three (3) continuous hours.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel; experience with virtual meeting platforms like Zoom. Experience in Technolutions, Slate CRM and Banner software is preferred
• Willingness to understand St. Mary's commitment to excellence in education, student body diversity, social service, and the liberal arts and sciences traditions.
• Knowledge of St. Mary's culture and ability to represent and communicate the university mission to prospective students and families.
• Ability to develop congenial and productive working relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, and students
• Ability to work in a goal-driven and measured performance environment.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong public relations and customer service skills with an ability to implement diplomacy and discretion at all times and work effectively with communities across the university.
• Must have high ethical standards and a strong sense of confidentiality; ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines; thrive in a complex work environment; displays solid problem-solving and interpersonal skills; works well independently and as part of a team.
• Must have strong self-judgment abilities to assist in preparing department policy information. Use discretion to complete work assignments. Initiative is frequently required to complete work assignments.
• Must have great attention to detail and organize workflow, coordinate activities, balance simultaneous projects without losing efficiency in a multi-tasked environment, and manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines.
• Must clear and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance
• Must have a valid driver's license, motor vehicle liability insurance and personal injury insurance; or have a self-reliant source of transportation to conduct business daily
• Bilingual Preferred (English/Spanish with the ability to understand and to make one's self understood to Spanish-speaking individuals)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Working conditions are in an office environment and university campus setting. Must be able to move across the university campus to conduct day to day business.
• Ability to present and engage in a stationary position with various constituencies, both in online and physical spaces, for up to three (3) continuous hours.
• While performing this role, the employee will be regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear, both in person and by telephone; and use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and occasionally required to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently communicates with others using approved technological resources; must be able to exchange accurate information through designated systems within a timely manner.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.

The physical demands described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

St. Mary's University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Equal Opportunity Employer.