North Carolina Central University – Page 3

Job Description – Admissions Counselor

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

Academic Affairs & Enrollment Management

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Job Description

Admissions Counselor

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The Division of Academic Affairs fosters student growth and development. The Division of Student Affairs aids, directs and informs studentsabout services and programs that will expand students’ educational experiences and prepare them for diverse livesin local and global communities. The Division of Student Affairs is responsible for many of the outside the classroom/off campus aspects of student life at NCCU, including scholarship and student aid; student support services; orientation and first year experience; student leadership; residential life; student activities; special programs and services; student health & counseling services and campus ministry.
Our mission is to aid students in developing consistent, logical values and ethical standards. We engage students in vigorous, dynamic learning; formulate educational partnerships that increase student learning; set and communicate high expectations for student learning; communicate high expectations for student learning; use methodical inquiry to improve student and institutional performance; build supportive and inclusive communities; and use resources effectively to achieve institutional missions and goals.

POSITION OVERVIEW AND JUSTIFICATION

The Admissions Counselor reports to the Director of Admissions and will be the initial point of contact within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for parents, students, and counselors. This position will analyze student requests and needs; cultivate prospects, applicants, and admitted students through direct participation in a variety of activities; articulate admissions procedures and requirements to prospective students, parents and counselors; evaluate credentials and make independent decisions regarding individuals' candidacies for admission to the university. The Admissions Counselor is responsible for planning and executing targeted recruitment initiatives to increase enrollment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position serves as a member of the Admissions Team in the department of Undergraduate Admissions. This position is primarily responsible for making independent decisions concerning a student's admissibility to the Universityby identifying, recruiting and enrolling students to achieve enrollment goals.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Serves as a member of the Admissions Team managing a recruitment territory to assist in achieving enrollment objectives for the university;
  • Reviews, authenticates and makes official admissions decisions on behalf of the university;
  • Conducts research on assigned territories and performs analysis of admissions eligibility;
  • Implements recruitment strategies as outlined in the admissions plan in the assigned territory to include high school and community college visits;
  • Encourages students to apply, visit, and enroll at the University;
  • Determines student type and the process that is applicable to each individual circumstance;
  • Advises prospective students, applicants and their families concerning admissions policies and requirements while accentuating the positive aspects of the University's academic programs and resources;
  • Continues to counsel students once a decision has been made on the admissions application;
  • Provides admitted students information on completing the enrollment process and serve as referral agent to help the student locate resources on and off campus that may be needed;
  • Counsels students who are not admissible with information on how to improve their academic record and increase their chance of admission and eventual success at the University;
  • Travels, extensively, in state and out of state, working evenings and weekends representing the university at local and national college fairs, area receptions and events;
  • Works with guidance counselors, students, parents and alumni organizations that assist with the recruitment of students;
  • Reviews and evaluates students’ credentials from international, traditional, non-traditional, community college and military students;
  • Provides admissions presentations to visitors during campus daily tours and at on campus and off campus events;
  • Advises students and families of admission decision requirements, transfer guidelines, general financial aid and scholarship information;
  • Provides follow-up to students and parents via telephone, letters, email, walk-ins and appointments;
  • Completes routine reports related to recruitment, projections, personal schedule, travel, special programs and professional development;
  • Plans and coordinates special recruitment events designed to enhance recruitment;
  • Evaluates program effectiveness, assesses outcomes, and assist with developing improved programming to achieve goals, completes cost analysis, for program/events;
  • Supervises student volunteers and conduct training;
  • Assists in developing marketing materials for the programs and recruitment;
  • Interprets policies and procedural requirements;
  • Utilizes technical systems to effectively perform required admissions operations; and
  • Serves as a collaborative member of the staff and follow all office policies.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Ability to make decisions in compliance with national accrediting standards, the University of North Carolina General Administration’s Minimum Course Requirements (MCR) and Minimum Admissions Requirements (MAR), the current NCCU catalog, as well as with all relevant office procedures and standards;
  • Ability to counsel various classifications of students, including, but not limited to traditional, nontraditional transfer and second degree;
  • Knowledge of the admissions and enrollment process;
  • Ability to serve as referral agent to help the student locate resources on and off campus that may be needed;
  • Ability to supervise student volunteers and conduct training;
  • Capable of projecting a positive and professional image of the university;
  • Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in recruiting environments while representing the university;
  • Ability to accentuate the positive aspects of the university's academic programs and resources;
  • Capable of using discretion to protect the confidentiality of student records when making admissions decisions;
  • Ability to make independent decisions when interpreting policy and to make research based decisions regarding the potential for success of specific recruitment initiatives;
  • Must be able to travel extensively both in-state and out of state, evenings and weekend work required;
  • Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted;
  • Must demonstrate excellent customer service;
  • Must have and demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills

Other Duties

The Admissions Counselor may be assigned other duties by the Senior Associate Director or Director of Admissions as required by the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor's degree, outstanding public speaking, oral and written skills, excellent computer skills, outstanding customer service skills and a valid driver's license

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Previous experience in admissions is strongly preferred.