Executive Director of Admissions

The Executive Director of Admissions provides strategic and operational leadership for all undergraduate admissions functions at Delaware State University, including recruitment, application processing, admission decisions, yield, and new-student (1st Year and Transfer) enrollment initiatives. This individual is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously refining a comprehensive recruitment and enrollment strategy that supports the University's enrollment goals, academic profile, and net tuition revenue targets. The Executive Director works closely with academic and administrative leadership, faculty, and external constituents to build partnerships and pipelines that support student access and success. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management and International Affairs.

The Executive Director of Admissions provides strategic and operational leadership across the full undergraduate admissions cycle, overseeing comprehensive recruitment and enrollment strategies for first-time and transfer students, both domestically and internationally. The Executive Director leads the Office of Admissions, Visitor Center and Campus Tours, Recruitment and Scholarships, with responsibility for coordinating recruitment and outreach, application review and processing, recruitment travel and territory management, campus visit and event strategy, and enrollment operations. The position also oversees the effective use of student information systems, including Ellucian Banner, and application portals to support efficient and student-centered admissions processes. As a member of the Enrollment Management leadership team, the Executive Director supervises and develops admissions counselors - coordinators, visitor and events personnel, and operations staff while fostering a positive, collaborative, service-oriented, and high-performing team culture focused on achieving the University's enrollment goals. The Executive Director also serves as a key University spokesperson to prospective students, families, school counselors, and community partners and works collaboratively with Financial Aid, Student Accounts, the Registrar, Institutional and Enrollment Marketing, Academic Affairs, and other University stakeholders to support recruitment, yield, and new-student enrollment objectives. The following are the functions essential to performing this job:

1. Develops, implements, and annual updates a comprehensive strategic recruitment and enrollment plan aligned with university enrollment goals, including targets for headcount, academic profile, geographic diversity, and net tuition revenue.
2. Oversee the full admissions cycle, including application review, evaluation, and decision-making for first-year, transfer, international, and readmitted students.
3. Ensures timely, accurate, and equitable processing of applications in compliance with university policy, state and federal regulations, and accreditation standards.
4. Establishes and monitors admissions policies, procedures, and standards in collaboration with the Faculty Senate, academic deans, and the Registrar.
5. Works in tandem with the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management and International Affairs to develop and execute CRM-driven marketing, communication, and outreach initiatives designed to maximize engagement, improve application, admission, and enrollment conversion throughout the enrollment funnel.
6. Manages the annual admissions operating budget, including recruitment travel, events, publications, and staffing resources.
7. Designs and leads recruitment travel, high school and community college outreach, college fairs, and on campus visit programs, including Open Houses and Preview Days.
8. Builds and sustains relationships with high school counselors, principals, community-based organizations, community colleges, and other feeder institutions; regularly conducts field visits to assess and strengthen recruitment effectiveness.
9. Develops targeted recruitment strategies for priority populations, including first-generation, transfer, international, and out-of-state students.
10. Partners with Athletics, Honors, academic colleges, and student organizations on specialized recruitment initiatives.
11. Oversees the hiring and training process for admissions counselors, coordinators, and support staff; fosters a high-performing, service-oriented team culture.
12. Sets individual and team recruitment goals, monitors performance against enrollment targets, and provides ongoing professional development.
13. Serves as a primary spokesperson for the University on admissions matters with prospective students, families, school counselors, and the media.
14. Collaborates with Institutional and Enrollment Marketing and Communications on recruitment publications, digital campaigns, and the admissions website.
15. Responds to sensitive or escalated admissions issues involving students and parents.
16. Implements the use of data, predictive modeling, and enrollment analytics to aid in decision-making and goal setting.
17. Ensures the office's compliance with NCAA (where applicable), Title IX, FERPA, and other federal, state, and accreditation requirements.
18. Prepares regular enrollment reports, dashboards, and projections for University leadership and the Board of Trustees.
19. Regularly reports to the Enrollment Management Council on the status of recruitment plans and goals.
20. Advises executive leadership on admissions policies, processes, and procedures; ensures compliance with approved policies University-wide.

Other Functions

Individuals in this job may be assigned to one or more of the following tasks on a rotating or as-needed basis:

1. Assists the Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management and International Affairs in the development of the University Strategic Plan.
2. Develops, implements, and executes elements of the Strategic Enrollment Plan.
3. Represents the University at forums and events as requested.
4. Assists in the development strategy of Open House, New Student Orientation, Admitted Student Day and Welcome Days for the effective transition of admitted students into the University.
5. Serves on division and University-wide committees as requested.
6. Keeps abreast of best practices in the field of admissions and enrollment management.
7. Performs other related duties as requested.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The individual in this job must possess these skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities:

1. Proven successful experience in admissions and enrollment management.
2. Ability to organize and manage teams and individuals in order to meet goals.
3. Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, including public presentation to diverse audiences.
4. Proven ability to lead by example, inspire employees, and model best practices in the field.
5. Ability to meet goals and accomplish assignments on time with success.
6. Willingness to travel Domestic and International (valid motor vehicle license and Passport required); some weekend work and evening hours required.
7. Experience with budgeting and fiscal management.
8. Proven ability to evaluate and utilize data in goal setting and in meeting goals.
9. Possesses a collegial personal style and highly developed organizational and planning skills.

1. Education: Bachelor's degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
2. Successful experience: Seven or more years working in higher education admissions or enrollment management, including at least three years in a supervisory or leadership capacity, with progressive experience showing increased responsibilities and proven successes.
3. Other preferences: Proven managerial experience; experience in enrollment management at an HBCU, land-grant, or public regional institution.

The criteria for evaluation in this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of DSU Fundamentals.
2. Achievement of enrollment and recruitment goals.
3. Deliverables pertaining to the essential functions of the job description.