Campus Visit Specialist/Admissions Counselor

SUMMARY:

Under the broad direction of the Director, the Campus Visit Specialist/Admissions Counselor oversees all aspects of the campus visit experience, on-campus admissions events, and social media responses for Highlands closed group for accepted students. This position manages a team of student employees. This person is responsible for staffing the NMHU Welcome Center, Room 110 located in the Student Center to greet all campus visitors. This person is responsible for planning and implementing a robust campus visit experience utilizing the Technolutions Software and is responsible for training student employees to lead campus tours and information sessions with prospective students and their families. This person will take the lead on coordinating open houses, yield events, and enrollment prep events; and handling online interactions with entering students. This position will also serve in the capacity as a student recruiter for local recruitment, as well as out of state recruitment as needed. The effective management of this fast-paced, high volume operation is critical in making a strong impression on prospective students and their families.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

An admissions counselor must be enthusiastic, people-oriented, and enjoy working with high school and college students as well as parents and guidance counselors. He/she must have an ability to communicate effectively (both in oral and written form) to inspire interest in New Mexico Highlands University with prospective students. The successful candidate should have exceptional organizational skills, be willing to work as part of a team in a fast paced, goal driven environment, and maintain a positive attitude. In addition, a qualified candidate will encounter the following duties and responsibilities:

• Oversees and administers all facets of the day-to-day operations of the various programs and activities related to the position;
• Develop a comprehensive campus visit experience that is targeted towards the prospective student and family audience. Employ processes that will enhance the campus visit, including:
• Greet at NMHU Admissions visitors and their first point of contact;
• Oversee reservations for Tours and Information Sessions;
• Update the content of information sessions under the guidance of the Director of Recruitment & Admissions and in collaboration with University Relations;
• Coordinate with admissions office to best serve and guide visitors during their trip to campus. Collaborate with University President, Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management, and Director of Admissions & Recruitment to welcome visitors;
• Respond to phone and in-person inquiries and direct to the appropriate staff member or office; contact other campus department or staff on behalf of the visitor. Recommend tour/info sessions as appropriate and suggest other activities that may improve a campus visit experience;
• Maintain awareness of admissions staff schedules to better serve visitor needs;
• Maintain awareness and general understanding of departments and resources within the college and respond to questions about NMHU and the city of Las Vegas;
• Receive and record incoming admissions documents and ensure they reach the appropriate person for processing.
• Use space and technology efficiently to support the campus visit experience, including:
• Ensure that technology in Welcome Center is maintained and fully operational;
• Ensure that Welcome Center at all times is kept presentable and clean;
• Ensure that Welcome Center materials are stocked, neatly on display, replaced promptly when materials are updated.
• Collect and analyze campus visit feedback and provide regular reporting on campus tour data
• On-campus Recruitment Events
• Coordinate on-campus admissions events, Open Houses, Events, and Enrollment Prep Events for prospective students, admitted students, their families, along with higher education and secondary education professionals.
• Create and maintain overall event schedule;
• Plan and reserve campus facility space;
• Manage RSVP system;
• Create staff assignments in coordination with appropriate managers;
• Coordinate with University Marketing on event-related communication and promotions;
• Employ the assistance of other campus offices and staff persons;
• Collect and analyze data to access effectiveness of events;
• Represent the college in support roles as needed.
• Manage team of 10+ students
• Identify, hire, train, and mentor student employees;
• Monitor and supervise NMHU Welcome Center during regular business hours to ensure that the front desk is properly staffed at all times, and to hold the team accountable for following customer service best practices and appropriate professional conduct;
• Collaborate with other campus offices to improve understanding of college-wide business processes that affect both prospective and current students;
• Schedule student employees for, Campus Tours, Information Sessions, Front Desk Reception Coverage, Special Tour assignments, including group visits
• Develop and maintain a Tour Guide manual;
• Manage student employee responses on a variety of social media platforms
• Manage an assigned local recruitment territory to meet or exceed established goals for students in the following areas: applications received, accepted students, and enrolled students;
• Plan and implement a travel itinerary within an assigned territory approximately 9 weeks in the fall and 3-4 weeks in the spring for recruitment purposes;
• Coordinate local high school visits and community visits;
• Frequent evening hours telephoning students;
• Represent Highlands at college fairs, conferences, and other functions;
• Maintain contact with various university constituencies including prospective students and parents, guidance counselors, alumni, etc.;
• Organize receptions for accepted students;
• Attend professional conferences and sit on national admissions and recruitment college fair planning boards;
• Serve on various university committees;
• Other admissions responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Admissions.
• Creates, produces, and delivers a range of promotional, educational, and informational presentations, and/or resource materials related to program activities and initiatives;
• Oversees and/or coordinates the collection, compilation, and analysis of program activity data; develops, writes, edits, and presents comprehensive statistical and narrative program reports and evaluations;
• Develops operating goals and objectives for the unit; implements and administers methods and procedures to enhance operations, as appropriate to the unit;
• May supervise and/or lead staff and/or student employees, as assigned;
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree (required by time of appointment);
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of social media platforms including (but not limited to) Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram;

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Proficiency using computers and related IT equipment, including, but not limited to: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint); Web browsers (Google Chrome, Internet Explorer);
• Proficient user of laptop computer, projector, and cell phone;
• Proven track record of event management and customer service related skills;
• Ability to multi-task in a highly dynamic admissions environment;
• Must be creative, self-motivated and have the ability to work independently;
• Strong leadership, administrative, and time management skills;
• Proven analytical abilities and sound judgement;
• Ability to train, supervise, and coach student employees;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively;
• Budgetary management skills in regards to event planning and scheduling.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, students and staff;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and make contact with officials, students, organizations, and the general public;
• Ability to present oneself with a professional presence and demeanor;
• Ability to maintain confidential information and inquiries with discretion;
• Ability to display a keen attention to detail and produce desired results;
• Ability to maintain exceptional customer service and people skills;
• Experience coordinating electronic calendar systems for meetings, conferences, and travel;
• Strong organizational skills, and ability to organize workload to ensure deadlines are met; schedule work assignments in order of priority and date received.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross functional, matrix team environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Extensive driving hours;

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs involving recruitment materials

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Las Vegas, NM Campus