Graduate Admission Counselor
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
The Graduate Admission Counselor is housed in Hickory and supports recruitment and admissions for Lenoir-Rhyne graduate programs on all three LR campuses, which a special focus on the health sciences. The position is dedicated at a minimum to 0.5 FTE to the School of Physician Assistant Studies. Responsibilities include relationship building, student recruiting, admissions, retention efforts and collaboration with key Lenoir-Rhyne offices in support of graduate students on all campuses. The position receives supervision and direction from the Lenoir-Rhyne University Admissions office and works closely with LR faculty and partners, Admissions, Financial Aid and others to achieve graduate enrollment goals.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- May supervise a part-time admissions counselor and/or student workers
Essential Accountabilities
- Creates and builds relationships with local and professional organizations, colleges and universities to identify qualified applicants.
- Researches identifies, schedules and conducts in-person and virtual recruitment visits to college and university job fairs, community events, graduate program fairs, etc. Creates, transports, sets up and strikes displays that promote Lenoir-Rhyne graduate programs and engage prospective students in conversation.
- Builds and maintains ongoing contact with prospective students from application to registration, particularly on the LR health sciences graduate programs.
- Participates in program coordinator meetings for health sciences graduate programs to support faculty and college enrollment goals in graduate programs.
- 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 graduate 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 master’s degree is highly preferred, preferably in a field related in some way to the health sciences.
- At least two years of experience in graduate admissions preferred.
- Previous experience with Slate or other student information systems preferred.
- Extensive knowledge about LR, its faculty and its student population is a plus.
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Travel for recruitment 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 8am-5pm, 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 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.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Lenoir-Rhyne University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, political affiliation, age, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, disability status, genetics, pregnancy or veteran status.
Lenoir-Rhyne’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy extends to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, reassignment, demotion, discipline, discharge, performance evaluations, compensation and benefits as well as the education setting. Lenoir-Rhyne is committed to providing an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers and visitors.