Admissions Counselor II

Barry University's Recruitment & Admissions department is currently seeking an Admissions Counselor II.

The Admissions Counselor in collaboration with the Associate Director is responsible for the recruitment and enrollment efforts of the University. Counselor will engage with prospective students and influencers via phone, text, email and in person to build relationships to attract and enroll a diverse first year and transfer class for both domestic and international students. The Counselor assists reviewing admission files and participates in on campus events and group visits. This position will require evenings and weekend. Local and domestic travel.

This is an In-Person position

Essential Functions

Facilitate timely and appropriate information delivery to prospective students to move students through the various stages of enrollment – from inquiry to applicant to admitted student:

• Determine the prospective students preferred method of communication incorporating all media types to ensure the transmission of information is complete, succinct, and anticipatory in nature.

• Create and conduct follow-up via phone, text, email, live chat, web, and other methods of communication with prospects and applicants. Utilize appropriate social media channels to communicate directly with prospective students during the recruitment process.

• Provide substantive information on admission requirements and procedures, undergraduate programs and curricula, financial aid and scholarships.  Maintain appropriate follow-up communication with these students regarding the status of their applications for admission and financial aid.

• Counsel prospective students to encourage campus visits and application submission. 

• Advise and guide the prospective student and parents through the decision making and application process providing high-level coaching as well as technical assistance throughout the relationship.

• Promote student engagement with peers, faculty, and staff including department liaisons and academic advisors.

• Develop and maintain expertise in describing the university’s merit scholarships, designated grants, and financial aid awarding policies and practices, and ensure the highest level of service and accuracy with families.

• Document ALL contact with applicants, counselors, parents, etc. in the University’s designated contact relationship management tool and ERP system as directed.

• Reports daily, weekly, monthly activities utilizing CRM and SIS systems.

Act as spokesperson and first line of contact for the University. When in the office, facilitate daily business in the admissions office:

• Incumbent should maintain a professional appearance at all times and conduct themselves in a professional manner while holding true to the core values of Barry University.

• Represent the Barry University brand and serve as a content expert for prospective students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors in their assigned geographic territory.

• Demonstrate and possess strong understanding of cultural competency and how to communicate to different audiences.

• Conduct regular assessments of interactions with prospective student and make recommendations for needed updates of information to improve the customer experience.

• Prepare presentations for prospective student and accepted students audiences both small and large.

• Participate in both on-campus and off-campus recruitment events for prospective students, accepted students, and brand awareness within various communities.

• Act as the in house admission counselor, meeting with prospective students and families.

• Provide admission presentations as well as meet with prospective students individually for interview and follow up.

• Coordinate with call center to address in-bound calls, voicemails, and emails for needed follow-up.

• Ensure cases of in-bound inquiries are addressed within 72 hours.

• Maintain effective communications with the departments of Financial Aid and Admissions Services as necessary to facilitate their efforts in the application process.

• Liaise with the Manager, New Student Recruitment & Events to assist with the planning of on campus events, tours, visits.

• Represent the Undergraduate Admissions Office by serving when needed on university committees, groups, councils, etc.

Assist with the management of a specific recruitment territory of a prospect/applicant pool

• Contribute to the development of the plan to include the organization and implementation of a data driven recruitment strategy for traditional undergraduate students to meet overall university enrollment goals by utilizing available tools.

• Assist with planning the travel to assigned recruitment territories including college fairs at high schools and community colleges, individual high school and community college visits, presentations to student clubs and organizations, related recruitment events.

• Provide support in the creation and implementation of a creative communication strategy for the prospective students and applicants designed to provide the appropriate information to the student based on their movement along the enrollment continuum.

• Tailor messages for prospect/applicant depending on their stage in the recruitment funnel.

• Work autonomously and independently while also participating and working collaboratively with the rest of the undergraduate admissions team to meet enrollment goals.

• Engage with the University community in developing cross-functional partnerships to enhance the prospective student experience.

• Participate in both on-campus and off-campus recruitment events for prospective students, accepted students, and brand awareness within various communities.

• Maintain regular contact with educational partners and counselor colleagues to build viable prospect and applicant pools of undergraduate students.

• Arrange and conduct individual interviews with students, as well as organize regional group information sessions for students, parents, and guidance counselors.

• Establish productive linkages with secondary school counselors, educators and related individuals working with prospective college-bound students.

Review undergraduate domestic and international admission applications

• Ensure applicants are apprised of all necessary steps to complete their application and enroll at Barry University.

• Apprise the applicants of needed credentials to receive an admissions decision

• Evaluate completed applications for university and major/program specific admission criteria as well as potential scholarship opportunities.

• Review student records to determine that all credentials required for admission have been received, authenticated and are official.

• Assess transcript(s) courses for inclusion in GPA and recalculate GPA if necessary for each institution attended.

• Use tools to determine cumulative GPA, Calc Index and merit award.

• Review admissions criteria for determine eligibility for acceptance into intended major.

• Make admission decision based on accurate evaluation of student credentials and admission criteria.

• Update record to reflect admission decision and disseminate decision accordingly.

• Make recommendations for process improvements to improve workflow.

• Use individual judgement for preparing appeals to academic departments.

• Safeguard the confidentiality of student, staff and university information by exercising discretion in managing records and communication with faculty, staff, parents, alumni and current and prospective students.

Serve as backup to Admissions Support Coordinators in performing official and unofficial transcript evaluations and complete Transfer Evaluation Reports

• Ensure institutions are accredited and courses can be transferred.

• Evaluate transfer transcript coursework and foreign transcript evaluations for Barry equivalencies.

• Determine credit system of other institutions and convert to semester hours when needed.

• Use current tools, such as College Board’s Transfer Evaluation system and Transferology to determine course equivalencies.

• Review all articulation agreements and process evaluation accordingly.

• Research course descriptions via institution’s websites, course catalogs, syllabi, American Council on Education publications, etc. as needed to determine course equivalencies.

• Request syllabus when needed to make a transfer credit determination.

• When new equivalencies have been determined, ensure information is provided to update Transferology.

• Collaborate with colleagues, faculty and departments to ensure accurate decisions on equivalencies and processes.

• Enter transferable courses into the degree audit module.

• Complete Transfer Evaluation Report and send to student.

• Communicate with transfer students clarifying next steps in admission process.

• Performs other job related duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in any field required. Master’s Degree Preferred.

• 1-3 years of related experience. A minimum of one (1) year experience required in Admissions/Student recruitment .

• Flexibility to work long hours and weekends during peak travel season: some evenings and weekends are required; some local travel will be expected

• Must have a Valid Driver’s License and personal vehicle. Eligible to rent a car via the university’s account when/as needed.

• Desire to help student achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals; Ability to work independently and as a member of a team; ability to work in a collaborative environment; Ability to articulate our brand promise and the university’s mission and core values; Ability to make difficult decisions on demand while being sensitive to individual circumstances; Ability to use good judgement and make sound decisions; Ability to set priorities and to manage time effectively; Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

• Ability to utilize resources, data, and tools effectively. Should demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret professional journals.

• Manage time, projects, deadlines and delegate when necessary.

• Experience in the implementation of programs, workshops with strong emphasis on details and follow up on assignments.

• Ablility to navigate multiple systems of record for accessing official university records; Salesforce CRM Knowledge. Windows operating systems and software, social media aptitude; Microsoft Office Suite; Familiarity with desktop and web based conferencing tools – Skype, Skype Business, Microsoft Lync, etc.; mobile equipment including smartphones and/or other smart devices.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Effectively present information and respond to questions from prospective students and parents, high school counselors, the university community, and the general public which may include public/group speaking engagements.

• Ability to write reports and business correspondence. 

• Ability to articulate the value and benefits of a liberal arts education to a variety of audiences. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, cross-cultural communication skills, being a good listener.  Sensitivity to others and ability to work well in a team.

• Demonstrated strong skills and a track record for sustained measurement of program outcomes, ability to work independently and with and through others to achieve desired results.

Benefits: Barry University offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, tuition assistance, paid time off and work/life balance initiatives such as wellness programs, spirituality in the workplace, and training and development.

Barry University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.