STARS College Counselor

Position Summary:
The STARS (Small-Town and Rural Students) College Advisor will advise, remotely and in-person, high school students through the college process at 6 – 8 high schools in Tennessee. Methods of advising include but are not limited to virtual meetings with students and families, presentations on applying to college, and regular in-person site visits to assigned schools. The college advisor will also assist with on-campus programming related to college access for rural and small-town students. The college advisor will report within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The STARS College Advisor will be based in Tennessee and join a team of college advisors based in Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas, supported by other member institutions of the STARS (Small-Town and Rural Students) College Network.
 

About the Work Unit:
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Vanderbilt University is a critical unit within University Enrollment Affairs that contributes greatly to the entire Vanderbilt community. Its mission is to recruit, select, and enroll a varied cohort of degree-seeking first-year and transfer students who are intellectually curious, academically talented, and socially engaged. The Office consists of a team that includes the Director, an experienced group of admissions officers, and a well-seasoned support staff engaged in marketing Vanderbilt globally. To accomplish this, members of the OUA team travel both domestically and abroad to conduct high school visits, attend college fairs, and do speaking engagements. The Office communicates systematically with hundreds of thousands of prospective students through traditional printed publications, the web, and other social media channels, and serves as the first point of contact for members of the public interested in VU.
 

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
• Provides 1:1 college advising in a remote and/or in-person setting with assigned high schools in Tennessee
• Travels to assigned high schools at least once per quarter to lead in-person meetings and presentations with students and school stakeholders
• Hosts virtual events with high schools to promote college-going, assist with application completion, provide essay support, and share information on applying for financial aid
• Is regularly available to, and responds to, students and partner high schools via phone, e-mail, and through virtual platforms (Zoom, Teams)
• Willingness and ability to write counselor letters of recommendation to assist with advisee’s application process
• Weekend and evening availability is expected throughout the year for some aspects of the position including travel to high school sites or STARS member sites.
• Willingness and ability to self-manage travel calendar by determining needs of high schools
• Assist with on-campus programming focused on rural and small-town student outreach
• Liaise with other STARS College Advisors to develop college application curriculum and implement best practices
• Regularly meets with supervisor to check on progress and performance, review relevant metrics, and identify opportunities for improvement
 

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports administratively and functionally to an Assistant or Associate Director of Admissions.
 

Education and Certifications
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record. Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide continuous up-to-date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records.
 

Experience and Skills:
• 2 years of relevant experience with college admissions processes is preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Work will take place in a remote setting, with in person visits to partner schools and occasional in office work
• Travel required for occasional site visits and meetings with advisors and students