Admission Counselor (Undergraduate)

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

The Admission Counselor is located in Hickory and supports recruitment and admission for Lenoir-Rhyne undergraduate programs. Responsibilities include relationship building, student recruiting, admissions, retention efforts and collaboration with all divisions through Lenoir-Rhyne University. The position receives supervision and direction from the Lenoir-Rhyne University Admission Office and works closely with Financial Aid, Student Life, Academic Affairs and external school partners to achieve undergraduate enrollment goals.

• Assist with daily operations related to all aspects of the admission strategy, including communication and marketing plan, travel planning and campus visitation and events.
• Manage recruitment territory including first-year and transfer students in partnership with the undergraduate admission team.
  • Partner in the establishment of application and enrollment goals by territory
  • Develop a formal plan of territorial recruitment strategies for recruitment territory
  • Build relationships with students, parents, counselors and other stakeholders
• Manage special projects and/or ongoing activities as assigned by any leader.
• Help coordinate short- and long-range planning of office function and flow.
• Review applications and make recommendations for admissions decisions.
• Respond with a "sense of urgency" to all questions and/or concerns.
• Foster and maintain a positive atmosphere to ensure all interactions are handled with the highest level of professionalism and customer service.
• Proficient in all standard procedures of enrollment management.
• Develop an advanced work ethic and demonstrate the ability to prioritize and pay attention to detail.
• Serve on University and Division committees as appropriate.

Essential Accountabilities

• Create and build relationships with local and professional organizations, high schools, colleges and universities to identify qualified applicants.
• Researches, identifies, schedules and conducts in-person and virtual recruitment visits to high schools, college and university fairs, community events, etc. Creates, transports, sets up, and strikes displays that promote Lenoir-Rhyne undergraduate programs and engage prospective students in conversation.
• Builds and maintains ongoing contact with prospective students from application to matriculation.
• Collaborates with the Office of Financial Aid in administering federal, institutional, and other forms of financial aid.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Understands and supports the Lenoir-Rhyne mission and vision and how student recruitment, admissions, and retention align with that mission.
• Exhibits cross-cultural competence and empathy in building relationships. Understands and supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in recruiting students into undergraduate education.
• Can gather and organize resources and people to meet goals. Is action-oriented and energetic in setting and achieving appropriate goals. Can orchestrate multiple activities while staying on task to achieve and assess desired outcomes.
• Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills across various platforms and in different situations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy and work with individuals at all levels of the university
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with heightened attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving/conflict resolutions skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and related software.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

Education and Experience

• A bachelor's degree is required.
• At least two years of experience in admissions is preferred.
• Previous experience with Slate or other student information systems is preferred.
• Extensive knowledge about LR, its faculty, and its student population is a plus.
• Knowledge of or experience with Lutheran higher education, theology, and/or church life is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Overnight and day travel for recruitment is required.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Ability to attend and preside over meetings, events, etc., in person and online.
• Ability to travel with students, faculty, and staff throughout campus.

Work Schedule

• Standard office hours M-F 8a-5p, subject to change based on LR needs.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Behavioral Expectations

• Maintain high integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
• Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable and inclusive environment
• Treat other individuals with dignity, respect and kindness.
• Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards, and values, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Position requirements in the role mentioned in the above description indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove or waive the position's responsibilities, duties and skills required.

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