Associate Dean of Admissions for Access and Outreach

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Position type:full-time
Location:Lewisburg, PA
Categories:Other, Enrollment - Admissions & Financial Aid

The Associate Dean of Admissions for Access and Outreach is a member of the staff of the Office of Admissions and contributes to the overall recruitment and selection efforts of Bucknell University. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to overseeing all aspects of access and outreach work, managing the recruitment side of the University’s partnership programs, representing Bucknell to a wide and diverse audience on and off campus, traveling several weeks each year, corresponding with prospective students and their families. The Associate Dean reports to the AVP & Dean of Admissions, and works in collaboration with other Admissions team members.

This position works on issues that directly impact current and future University success. Creates formal networks with key decision makers and serves as external spokesperson for the organization.

All Admissions team members are expected to contribute to Bucknell’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Job Duties:
Recruitment & Territory Management
Manage territory, including all recruiting and yield activities, within a designated geographic area(s). This entails admissions travel to participate in college fairs and high school visits, correspondence with a wide spectrum of constituencies including but not limited to students, parents, guidance counselors, and community-based organizations.
Build, maintain, and strengthen a support network consisting of alumni, parents, and friends of the University within designated territories.
Manage special interest group(s) to enhance the scope of recruitment to enroll and shape a diverse first-year class.
Collaborate and partner with faculty, staff, and current students to recruit and yield prospective students.
Contribute to the dialogue with secondary school officials on behalf of the University.
Correspond with prospective students and their families. Involve alumni in the recruiting process.
Conduct on-going prospect management with potential Bucknell applicants.

Application Review and Selection:
Review and evaluate applications from a highly competitive applicant pool.
Monitor closely the applications from prospective students who are historically underrepresented at Bucknell, advocating to the Dean and Vertical Managers (coordinators of application review in four broad academic areas) for students who are competitive for admission. This includes serving as a secondary or tertiary reader on applications to the assigned division and making final decisions or recommending further review to the Dean of Admissions.

Program and Project Oversight:
Design and implement the overall recruitment efforts of the Office of Admissions for students historically underrepresented at Bucknell (students of color, first-generation, LGBTQ+, rural and respective faith communities). In conjunction with the Dean of Admissions, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and travel coordinator, develop strategies for off-campus recruitment in areas where Bucknell will be able to reach diverse candidates. (African-American, Native American, Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Asian-American students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.)
Lead multi-departmental effort in executing recruitment and yield programs. These programs are done in conjunction with the Office of Multicultural Student Services (MSS), the Center for Access and Success, Admissions' campus visitation/events team, faculty, and other University staff.
Serve as a resource to other staff members to identify and cultivate recruitment opportunities in their territories for students of color, first-generation, LGBTQ+, rural students and students from respective faith communities.
Research, design and implement best practices to develop programs for The Office of Admissions that strengthens and creates a welcoming and inclusive community for access, diversity, and outreach competencies.
Serve on the Enrollment Management Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council or identify a designee.
Investigate potential future partnerships that enhance campus diversity and academic enrichment. Serve as contact, in conjunction with territory manager, for contracted partner organizations.
Maintain current relational communications with partner community-based organizations (CBOs) and schools.
Liaise with campus departments to answer questions and respond to needs of contracted partnership organizations.
In collaboration with the Center for Access and Success, engage in assessment of on-going partnership programs and model them to evaluate enrollment and retention of partnership students as it pertains to productive financial streams of support.
Serve as the Coalition for College’s Access and Outreach contact and lead all related activities.
Manage program and project assessment, goals, recommendations and reporting.
Create strategic initiatives within programmatic assigned areas.

Office Leadership and Management
Serve on the admissions office leadership group. Participate in policy decisions impacting the office. Contribute to personnel management decisions.
Participate in the daily operation of the office and serve as a Counselor of the Day, conducting group presentations and meeting individuals and families as needed.
Remain knowledgeable, current, and responsive to changes in office protocol and procedure.
Attend Admissions staff meetings and retreats as requested.
Participate in professional development opportunities, conferences, and other activities, as requested and approved.
Serve on other University committees, task forces, and advisory boards, as requested.
Assume other duties as requested by the supervisor or AVP & Dean of Admissions.
Coaches and mentors others, including employees who do not directly report to them. Responsible for hiring senior talent and reducing the occurrence of single sources of knowledge within the team. Guides individual goal-setting aligned to team objectives. Manages hiring and performance of direct reports. Develops a high-functioning and successful team.
Oversee hiring, training, supervision and evaluation of staff. Monitor and review performance, identify learning and development needs, and keep them informed with organizational information.
Develop recruiting and hiring strategies to attract employees from diverse backgrounds

Other Professional Responsibilities
Works on complex issues that require an in-depth knowledge of the University. Participates in University creation of methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people. Ensures budgets and schedules meet University requirements.
Participates with other senior managers to establish strategic plans and objectives. Makes final decisions on administrative or operational matters and ensures effective achievement of objectives.
Actively contribute to bucknell's efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive campus community.
Support and promote the University's sustainability efforts to protect, maintain and increase the long-term viability and resilience of the University's environmental, social, and economic support systems.
Assume other duties as requested by the supervisor or Dean of Admissions.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree
Six (6) years of relevant experience, including at least five years of progressively responsible experience working in college admissions and/or with high school students from multicultural backgrounds
Knowledge of and appreciation for highly selective liberal arts institutions
Valid US driver’s license
Prior experience managing staff, students, or volunteers
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, work with sensitive issues, and exercise good judgment under pressure
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and tasks in an organized and efficient manner in an environment that requires one to be able to work effectively both independently and as a team member
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and computer skills
Strong presentation skills
Willingness to take initiative and be creative

Some evening and weekend work will be required, so the Senior Associate Dean must be committed to working flexible hours to meet office needs.

Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree
Experience with selective admissions at a liberal arts college or college counseling of high-ability students
Bilingual/Multilingual

Physical Demands:
The ability to lift boxes weighing up to 30 lbs. is required.

Work Type:
This is full-time, staff exempt, benefits eligible position.    

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Salary Range:
This is a Staff Exempt position with a hiring range of $70,800 - 88,125 (E11). The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy.

Benefits: 

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):
- flexible scheduling options determined by role;
- medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
- an outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
- generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
- full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
- a comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
- a myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card 

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here ! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

Founded in 1846 and located along the banks of the Susquehanna River in historic Lewisburg, Pa., Bucknell University is an undergraduate-focused institution that stands uniquely at the intersection of top-ranked liberal arts, engineering and management programs. Our students choose from more than 60 majors and 70 minors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and natural and social sciences, as well as extensive global study, service-learning and research opportunities. Bucknell’s 3,700 undergraduate and 30 graduate students enjoy a low 9:1 student-faculty ratio and exceptional opportunities to collaborate with faculty mentors on scholarly and artistic projects.

Bucknell’s beautiful 450-acre campus includes first-rate facilities and is home to more than 90 percent of its undergraduate students. Student life is vibrant with about 200 student-run organizations, 27 NCAA Division I athletics teams, a robust arts culture, and a commitment among many of the students to community and global service work.

Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and we seek candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community. The University provides equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status or disability in admissions, employment and in all of its educational programs and activities. We encourage individuals from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

Lewisburg (pop. 5,700) is located in central Pennsylvania and features beautiful Victorian homes, the restored art deco Campus Theatre (owned by the University), a variety of restaurants, shops and boutiques, and the Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University Bookstore. It is the seat of Union County, which has about 44,000 residents.

The city of Williamsport is about a 30-minute drive from campus, and Penn State University’s main campus is about an hour away, as is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s state capital. Bucknell is within a three-hour drive of New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

The cost of living is low compared to that of major U.S. cities and suburbs. Bucknell’s surroundings yield fresh produce, cultural activities and events, and outstanding opportunities for outdoor activity on the Susquehanna River and in the nearby state parks and forests. The Lewisburg Area School District receives excellent reviews for its schools at all grade levels. Lewisburg Area High School consistently ranks among the top 50 high schools in Pennsylvania for SAT scores and statewide exams.