Admissions Counselor/Assistant Director of Admissions

Job Description

Job Description

This position serves as the direct link between the College and prospective undergraduate

students. This position will be a part of a student-centered Undergraduate Admissions Office,

focused on serving students and families in the recruitment process. The Admissions Counselor

will represent the College in articulating academic programs and the enrollment process,

including admission and financial aid procedures, with all classifications of students served by the

Admissions Office. Admissions recruitment, counseling, outreach and application review are all

significant functions of this position. This opening also includes taking the lead on international

student recruitment which includes roughly ¼ of the counseling responsibilities.

Essential Functions:

● Generates prospects, develops applications enrollment from an assigned territory through

various recruitment strategies. This includes evening and weekend hours.

● Plans and organizes assigned territory for optimal recruitment through a variety of

outreach and correspondence methods, individual appointments, alumni utilization &

faculty/staff support.

● Serves as an admissions liaison between the Undergraduate Admissions Office and other

campus departments as needed.

● Reviews and evaluates applications for completion, admission and scholarship decisions.

● Schedules and facilitates high school visits and attends college fairs in assigned territory,

which may include major metropolitan areas.

● Completes travel itinerary (over an average ten-week period) within assigned territory.

Monitors and submits travel and expense reports on a weekly basis.

● Demonstrates knowledge and expertise in all services available to students, including the

admissions process, financial aid and scholarships, academic programs, athletic

eligibility, campus life etc.

● Educates prospective students, families, educational groups etc. during on campus

individual appointments as well as on and off campus group presentations.

● Attends all on-campus recruitment events including Information Sessions, Open Houses,

Spectrum of Scholarship Competitions, special group visit initiatives, counselor outreach

events, summer registration programs and parent programs.

● Attends off campus recruitment related events on an as needed basis. This includes

senior awards nights, college decision making presentations and panel discussions on

admissions related topics.

● Aids in the successful execution of auxiliary admission functions as needed

● Assists staff in the recruitment of nursing, dual enrollment and transfer students.

● Works assigned Saturdays to serve students unable to visit during the week.

● Maintains documentation and analytical tracking of territory through CRM tool.

● Follows-up on all written and verbal correspondence including voicemail, e-mail, social

media, texts and notice board contacts.

● Attends all admission staff meetings and is responsible for reporting on assigned projects

and territory.

● Keeps current on trends in higher education.

● Keeps current on college wide developments and new program opportunities.

● International focused counselor will take the lead on the following in regards to

international admissions and will work closely with the Office of International Programs:

● Responds to inquiries about programs, admission requirements, initial visa

process, etc

● Review international students’ applications

○ Ensure English proficiency

○ Check transcript evaluation

○ Evaluate proof of finances

● Serve as DHS/ICE Designated School Official (DSO)

○ Create the initial I-20 for deposited students

■ Follow up on Request for I-20 forms if proof of funding does not

adequately cover costs

○ Facilitate SEVIS record transfer for transfer students coming from a

SEVP-certified school and create new I-20

○ Be prepared to handle additional DSO duties (mostly travel

endorsements, maybe CPT/OPT authorization) if OIP DSO(s)

unavailable

○ Prepare (hard copy) records, transfer to OIP for orientation

● Send the student the initial I-20, Welcome Guide, and move-in/orientation dates

● Answer any questions about I-20, I-901 SEVIS fee, and visa process; handle any

initial I-20 correction requests

● Be knowledgeable/able to answer questions about navigating US systems (cell

service, opening bank account, obtaining an SSN, etc)

● Complete any documentation requests needed for student/family to come to the

US, either for a campus visit or initial arrival and move-in (for example:

government loan forms, invitation to visit letters, confirmation of

acceptance/enrollment, etc)

● Coordinate move-in/early arrival process

○ Check on early arrival process with Res Life, communicate process to

students (if needed)

○ Send students Global Orientation Details and Arrival Information form;

ensure appropriate arrival times

○ Create, share, and update spreadsheet of incoming international students

with Res Life, SAO, OIP, and Campus Safety

● Enroll students in Aquinas health insurance policy and/or share waiver process;

ensure all incoming students are adequately covered

● Handle the majority of communication to the student before arrival

● Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

● Must have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college/university OR two years of

college and two years of direct admissions experience.

● Must have prior experience demonstrating ability to plan, be organized, and interact

effectively with students and their families. Experience as a student ambassador, student

tour guide, or leading student activities is a plus.

● Must have experience working with diverse populations

● Must have demonstrated ability to self-motivate

● Must have strong oral and written communication skills, including public speaking

● Must be able to communicate effectively with varied constituencies such as high school

counselors, teachers and principals, faculty, coaches and a variety of other college staff as

well as alumni

● Must be able to use databases including tracking, reporting, and analyzing data.

Experience working with CRM and SIS systems preferred (in particular Slate and

Colleague experience).

● Must have knowledge of marketing principles and/or experience with social media.

● Must be willing to step beyond prescribed role as needed to support the efforts of the

admissions team in pursuit of its goals.

● Must demonstrate commitment to collaboration and creative problem solving.

● Must demonstrate commitment to Aquinas’s mission.

● Must have a valid Driver’s License.

● Must be able to travel within MI, IN, OH and IL.

● Must be able to work unconventional hours, including weekend and night hours as needed.

● Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced team environment.

● Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Aquinas College, an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic and Dominican traditions, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and service to others, and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good.

Aquinas College is recognized as the exceptional Catholic liberal arts college that prepares individuals for careers of leadership and service in developing a sustainable and just global community. Aquinas College is recognized by its values: Faith, Service, Learning and Community.

Aquinas College prides itself as a leader in sustainability, and this requires the participation of every member of the college community. In this regard, employees and their supervisors are expected to engage in the process of “appreciative inquiry” to identify ways that each position can advance sustainability in the employment experience.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties, all employees are expected to conform to the Aquinas College Service Statement:

The College serves our community with excellence and respect through an institutional commitment to quality, accountability, cooperation, professionalism and responsiveness.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Aquinas College is an equal opportunity employer and an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition. Aquinas College provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and service to others, and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good. Aquinas College values: Faith, Learning, Service and Community.

Aquinas College offers an excellent benefits package that includes affordable medical, dental, and vision plans, generous paid vacation each year, 16 paid holidays, paid sick time and short-term disability, and college-paid life and AD&D insurance. Additionally, Aquinas employees and their dependents are eligible for free tuition at Aquinas after one year of full-time employment.