Career Center

Position Overview

The Coordinator of First Year Admissions and Student Engagement position leads the development and manages events related to first year recruitment and admissions, orientation, and student engagement activities for undergraduate students in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) Student Services unit. This includes planning and implementing recruitment events for first year students with the Office of Admissions, coordinating orientation for first year and transfer students, planning and implementing 2nd year experience programming, and other student engagement initiatives targeting specific student populations such as first generation college students, international students, Native American students, etc.

The incumbent in this position acts as a resource for colleagues in the college, independently solves complex problems using creative solutions, has autonomy for event/program development and planning, and has in-depth knowledge and experience with student services. This position aligns programming with our mission as stated below and works toward access, inclusion and equity for a broad and diverse student population.

The budgeted starting salary for this position is $50,000-$54,000, dependent on qualifications.

Job Responsibilities

Orientation (35%)

• Lead the first year orientation planning committee by providing vision, oversight, and support for undergraduate student orientation/registration programs for CEHD that are inclusive and accessible for an estimated 800 new first year and transfer students annually. 
• Develop training for registration and programming/presentations for first year students with diverse learning styles to create equitable, consistent, and seamless transition support services to new students.
• Plan and implement Parent and Family Orientation for approximately 300 families each academic year.
• Train student peer advising staff to support students during orientation and other student engagement programs.
• Ensure preparation of technology needed for orientation.
• Evaluate and report on orientation initiatives.

Student Engagement (35%)

• Develop and implement student engagement programs that enhance CEHD undergraduate students’ sense of belonging in the college community. Assess and develop new programs as opportunities and initiatives arise.
• Oversee Welcome Week planning of CEHD’s College Day, including planning the delivery of Student Services programming with advising and career services staff. Chair College Day planning committee, and work collaboratively with college event planner for Block Party.
• Provide targeted programming for specific student populations, including CEHD international students, first generation college students, PES students, Native American students, etc.
• Manage the Living Learning Community, in collaboration with Residential Life, for CEHD students living in the Residence Halls to create a robust community of support and engagement for CEHD first year students.
• Plan and implement Parent and Family Weekend events specific to the college.
• Develop Second Year Experience programming in conjunction with campus-wide initiatives. Represent CEHD on campus-wide committee.
• Evaluate and report on engagement initiatives.

First Year Recruitment (30%)

• Advise on inclusive recruiting initiatives specific to CEHD majors and in line with CEHD’s mission to recruit a diverse student population. Collaborate closely with the CEHD admissions counselor in order to identify and attract well qualified undergraduate first year students who are a mission match to CEHD programs. Serve as dotted line supervisor to the CEHD Office of Admissions counselor.
• Coordinate major recruitment events for prospective undergrad first year students  including, but not limited to: Open House, Sneak Preview, Dean’s Reception, Experience Minnesota, Future Gopher Fridays, and National College Fair. Assign staffing for these events.
• Oversee first year information sessions. Create communication and visual aids to ensure accurate, intentional and accessible messaging about our college and programs.
• Support the implementation of diversity initiatives for recruiting students of color, first-generation students, and traditionally underserved students through targeted outreach efforts and in collaboration with the Office of Admissions diversity initiatives.
• Track, evaluate and report on recruitment event participation.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree, plus 4 years relevant work experience.
• Experience in an educational or non-profit setting working with prospective student recruitment and admissions and/or student engagement programming.
• Demonstrated success in planning and implementing student engagement programs and events.  Ability to initiate projects and programs and see them through to completion.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including experience leading group presentations.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse student populations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education and student affairs, college student personnel psychology, counseling, social work, or field related to advising.
• Experience in an education setting developing, planning, and implementing recruitment and/or student engagement activities for a diverse student body.
• Demonstrated ability to work flexibly and successfully within a changing environment.
• Commitment to fostering student learning and applying student development to work with a diverse group of students.
• Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills, team-building, and interpersonal skills, including intercultural communication skills.
• Compassion and enthusiasm for the undergraduate experience.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Attentive to detail and project management experience.