What are the responsibilities and job description for the Admissions Counselor position at Stephens College?
Description
The college Admissions Counselor plays a critical role in attracting, recruiting, and enrolling diverse and qualified students to the institution. Serving as a primary ambassador for the college, the counselor guides prospective students, family members, and high school counseling teams through every stage of the admissions journey—from initial inquiry through enrollment. This role combines strategic recruitment outreach, relationship management, and data-driven application review to support the university's enrollment goals.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Respond promptly to inquiries from prospective students and families.
- Recruit students through travel, relationship development, and prospect cultivation.
- Organize and execute recruitment programming on and off campus, including open houses, campus visits, information sessions, and virtual visit days.
- Guide prospective students through the admissions process, including application and enrollment steps.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with prospective students and families about tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and overall cost of attendance.
- Serve as a resource for students, families, school counselors, and community-based organizations.
- Represent the institution at recruitment events, college fairs, high school visits, and community meetings.
- Collaborate with academic departments and campus partners to support program-specific recruitment and enrollment goals.
- Review applications and make admissions recommendations.
- Support recruiting and enrollment programs, projects, and initiatives as assigned.
- Conduct all activities within the established guidelines of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Requirements
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Google, and the ability to quickly master new platforms, applications, and programs.
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication skills; can easily build rapport
- Customer service driven
- Patient, with a high tolerance for ambiguity and indecision
- Utilizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Highly organized and able to work independently
- Goal-oriented and attentive to detail
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel as needed. Travel is estimated at 20%.
- Valid driver's license and ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Slate, Salesforce, Ellucian, or another CRM.
- Experience talking with families about financial aid and cost of attendance.
- Experience in one or more of the following: first-time student admissions, transfer admissions, graduate admissions, or international admissions.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Minimum of one (1) year of experience in admissions, student recruitment, higher education, sales, or related field preferred.
Founded in 1833, Stephens College is the second-oldest women's college in the United States, dedicated to providing innovative, experiential, and career-focused education across various disciplines. Located in Columbia, Missouri, Stephens College continues to be a leader in women's education, fostering a community where students are empowered to lead, innovate, and excel. The college also provides flexible, co-educational master’s degrees and certificates for working professionals, and is home to the co-educational Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College.
Ranked (over and over again) as one of the best college towns in America, Columbia, Missouri, is home to 36,000+ college students and 118,000 residents. Columbia — conveniently located approximately 100 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis — has it all: big-time college sports, film, music and arts festivals, a high-energy arts community, amazing recreation, and a great downtown with lots of places to eat, shop, snack and check out the latest bands. The Columbia community offers outstanding health care options, as well as excellent educational opportunities for every level of student (including our own Children’s School).