Senior Admissions Specialist - Utah State University

Overview:

The Senior Admissions Specialist (Program Coordinator II) has the primary responsibility to lead the recruiting efforts of the campus, under the direct supervision of the Director of Statewide Recruitment & Engagement. Additionally, this individual will oversee the Concurrent Enrollment efforts of the campus, and coordinate and expand the scholarship programs and alumni outreach, working directly with the Director of Statewide Recruitment & Engagement, the Director of Student Services and in collaboration with the campus Associate Vice President. The position requires excellent interpersonal skills along with strong coordination, planning and organizational skills. The individual must have the ability to work independently and collaboratively with others or as part of a team, effectively supervise student services staff, and build good rapport with a variety of constituents. The individual must be flexible, patient, and creative along with having a service-oriented attitude. This person must commit to integrity; perform duties with diligence in accordance with professional standards and enforce University policies and procedures; use relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. This person will need the ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.

 

The chosen candidate will be a key member of the USU Wasatch leadership team.

 

This position is located in the Wasatch Region at the USU Salt Lake Center.

Responsibilities:

LEAD RECRUITING (60%)

• Employ visionary thinking and innovation to design and coordinate the recruiting strategies for the USU Wasatch Region with the aim of increasing enrollment in alignment with the Aggie Action 2028 Strategic Plan
  • Coordinate recruiting strategies to meet strategic goals including increasing campus diversity
  • Identify and implement yield strategies to recruit, enroll, and retain vulnerable students
  • Continually assess the needs and interests of prospective students and workforce needs and strategically develop a plan to increase enrollment
• Work closely with the Associate Vice President, Director of Students, and Director of Statewide Recruitment and Engagement to strategize growth of the campus, who provide important perspective and expertise.
• Work closely with the Director of Students and Advisors to strategize the return recruitment and eventual graduation of students who have dropped out before completing a degree
• In coordination with Director of Students and Advisors, design data-driven enrollment, decision-making, and accountability measures; Work with the AAA Office to pull necessary data to assess the effectiveness of recruiting and marketing strategies; submit reports on enrollment patterns each trimester to the Associate Vice President
  • Analyze and evaluate data to set goals, plan efforts, and track data to determine impact over a large geographic and densely populated area; use the data and information to direct recruiting efforts. In addition, through analysis, anticipate areas of growth and make a case for additional resources (funding and positions) to meet bigger goals.
• Supervise Wasatch Region Admissions Specialist, including planning, assigning, scheduling, and reviewing work, ensuring quality standards. Responsible for hiring, terminating, training, developing, reviewing performance, and administering corrective action for Admissions Specialist. Plans organizational structure and job content. Conducts performance check-ins for direct report(s)
  • As a leader, communicate a vision for recruiting that meets current goals and is future-oriented; inspire the team to do something that has not been done before.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders professionally and effectively while assuming stewardship for recruitment and admissions relationships for Utah State University in the Wasatch Region
• Serve on Statewide Campus system/university recruiting committees as appropriate
• Serve on the Statewide Campus systems Marketing Huddle and work closely with the Strategic Enrollment Marketing Manager to ensure campaigns are meeting recruitment needs, strategize recruiting campaigns for the Wasatch Region, and collaborate on social media efforts
• Plan recruiting events in the communities supported by the Wasatch Region and surrounding areas, create appropriate outreach programs for recruiting non-traditional students; provide outreach to local high schools, junior highs, and elementary schools to contact, educate, and follow-up with potential students about attending college; plan degree open houses, high school education fairs, and other events; work with individual potential students
• Manage prospective and incoming student information through Ellucian CRM Recruit
  • Identify prospective students and track progress through recruitment funnel
  • Create automated admissions/recruitment communication based on understanding of campus's student demographic & needs
  • Utilize software platforms (Recruit CRM, Banner, setting up events in CRM etc.) in daily work
  • Collaborate on and develop yield strategies and communication specific to the Wasatch Region
• In conjunction with the Business Assistant and the Associate Vice President, work within and track the campus’s recruiting budget
• Select student ambassadors; advise and coordinate student ambassador responsibilities
• Work occasional evening and weekends
• Occasional travel as needed

SCHOLARSHIPS, ADVANCEMENT AND ALUMNI OUTREACH (20%)

• Work with campus administration and the USU Development Office to establish new scholarships, expand current scholarships and effectively track, award, and distribute scholarships to students
• Work with the Director of Students on scholarships to strategize awards that reach out to targeted potential student demographic categories
• The person in this position will assist the Associate Vice President, the Associate Director/Director of Student Services and the Vice President for University Advancement in their fundraising and development responsibilities by:
  • Planning, developing, and executing strategies for obtaining contributions from individuals and organizations in the gifting ranges up to $25,000
  • Prospect coordination to avoid conflicts and overlaps in approaching donors and potential donors
  • Coordinating and managing relationships between the campus and individual donors and prospective future donors
  • Representing the campus effectively in all interactions with internal and external partners and groups, including individuals, donors, faculty, advisory groups, various USU Advancement personnel, the VP for University Advancement, alumni groups, state and national foundations, corporations, etc.
  • Serving as the coordinator for alumni functions in Wasatch Region in coordination with other staff members; help all local alumni develop a connection to and an affinity for the Wasatch Region, whether they attended USU in the Wasatch Region or elsewhere.
  • Helping plan, organize, and execute advancement and alumni events and activities that further the relationship with donors, prospects, and alumni
  • Receiving ongoing professional development in fundraising and institutional development
• Other duties as assigned

 

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT (CE) (20%)

• Travel to off-campus sites to assist with enrollment services, course material, course evaluation and university studies advisement processes
• Provide promotional materials and coordinate presentations to schools, students, and parents about the Concurrent Enrollment Program
• Responsible for advising and building relationships of Concurrent Enrollment and managing relationships with administration and CE facilitators
• Meet with educational partners and serve on school district committees as a representative for the USU Wasatch Region
• Promote a positive CE experience to encourage yield conversion to undergraduate admission
• Find and coordinate the process for certification of additional CE instructors to help high schools develop course offerings based on their needs
• Coordinate CE delivery for USU Wasatch Region via the statewide system and high school course offerings
• Meet and coordinate regularly with USU Concurrent Enrollment Director

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field plus two years of relevant work experience; or a master’s degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education plus experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in university admissions and/or recruitment or related student services role.
  
• Strong understanding of the challenges and needs of diverse student populations.
  
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across multiple campuses.
  
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
  
• Demonstrated proficiency in data analysis and reporting.
  
• Flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
  
• Effective presentation and speaking skills, especially with presenting a positive message to groups and one-on-one.
  
• Familiarity with Customer Relations Management Software (Recruit, Salesforce), Banner, and other university software systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles and practices related to specific program.
• Knowledge of research and information gathering methods and procedures.
• If applicable, knowledge of grant development, implementation, budgeting, fiscal control, and reporting.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Ability to coordinate and organize meetings and/or special events.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Skilled in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Skilled at records maintenance.
• Ability to lead and train staff and/or students.
• Ability to interact with students, faculty and/or staff in a team environment.
• Knowledge of communication principles, media, and marketing techniques.
• Ability to gather and analyze statistical data and generate reports.
• Program specific knowledge, skills, and abilities as described in recruitment notices.
• Ability to exercise a high level of creativity, decision making, problem solving, and discretion as work is varied and may be undefined.

Required Documents:

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary:Minimum $48,000; Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefitsADA:

Employees typically work in an office environment and are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes. However, in certain instances employees may work outdoors and may not be protected from weather conditions. Employees could be exposed to hazardous chemicals.  Employees nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).  Bending and stooping is occasionally required. Employees nearly continuously listen, hear, and talk.

University Highlights:

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 04/2024

 

Notice of Non-discrimination:

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023