Admission Counselor

Howard Payne University; New Braunfels (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Howard Payne University in New Braunfels, TX seeks an Admissions Counselor for the New Braunfels Center. This role drives enrollment, guides prospective students through the application process, and coordinates recruitment across on- and off-campus settings.

Frequent travel and collaboration with Admissions, Financial Aid, and Registrar teams are essential. Ideal candidates will demonstrate Christian faith in professional conduct, strong communication, and data-driven enrollment planning to meet

Qualifications

• Commitment to modeling Christian faith in daily work and interactions.
• Strong analytical ability to synthesize data and benchmarks.
• Proven problem solving and project management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication for student outreach.
• Customer service orientation and teamwork in a recruiting context.

Responsibilities

• Represent the University to prospective students, families, and community partners.
• Coordinate recruitment efforts and manage communications for the New Braunfels Center.
• Evaluate applications and assist with transcript and documentation processes.
• Travel regionally to recruit and attend events; maintain engagement plans.

Skills

Modeling Christian Faith

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Project management

Customer service

Oral communication

Written communication

Teamwork

Planning/organizing

Job description

Expectation and Condition of Employment

Howard Payne University, a church-related institution affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, seeks to employ evangelical Christians who are dedicated to teaching and service as they model the principles of the Christian faith and the University’s sincere religious beliefs.

Howard Payne University (hereafter, University) is committed to the integration of learning and Christian faith in the pursuit of truth. Employees are expected to embrace the Christian Mission Statement and Core Values of the University and must support the University’s affirmation of traditional Christian and Baptist beliefs by leading lives of service through active involvement in Christian activities both on campus and through a local church.

Mission Statement

Howard Payne University is a Christ-centered academic community dedicated to excellence by developing and equipping the whole person for intellectual inquiry, personal and professional integrity, and service to God and humanity.

Core Values of Howard Payne University

We believe and affirm that the University as an institution and each individual called to serve the Lord at Howard
Payne should strive to demonstrate a commitment to these five Core Values:

• Centered on Christ (cf. Col. 3:17, Matt. 7:24)
• Focused on Community (cf. Eph. 4:4-6, 1 Pet. 3:8)
• Called to Service (cf. Mark 10:45, Phil. 2:3-5)
• Committed to Excellence (cf. Gen. 1:31, 1 Cor. 9:24)
• Dedicated to Stewardship (cf. Gen. 2:15, 1 Pet. 4:10)

As a condition of employment, employees agree to be paid by Direct Deposit. Applicants offered contingent employment based on the University obtaining a clean background check agree the contingent offer of employment may be revoked based on the information obtained in the background check.

If offered employment, your acceptance will indicate that you have read and agree to the Expectations and Conditions above.

Job Summary

The Admission Counselor for the New Braunfels Center is a vital member of the Enrollment Management team and is responsible for assisting prospective undergraduate and graduate students through the complete admission process, from the point of initial contact to enrolled student status. The Admission Counselor is responsible for implementing the enrollment strategies of the University and for achieving individual enrollment goals. Related Admission Office and New Braunfels Center responsibilities will also be assigned, relative to experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Work proactively with the Assistant Vice President for the New Braunfels Center to:
Provide a positive, professional demeanor with a servant attitude within the New Braunfels Center, Admission Office, and the University; use this same approach when representing the University to all prospective students and families or to any member of the public

• Serve as the New Braunfels Center contact and point person for matters related to Office of Admissions, campus visits, and college readiness assessment
• Coordinate with the University’s Brownwood campus Office of Financial Aid in processing financial aid materials for new and returning students (i.e., FAFSA information, verification worksheets, etc.)
• Communicate the delivery of financial aid packages to prospective students, including notifying members of the Financial Aid staff of local scholarships awarded to prospective students
• Assist with scheduling students for advising and helping to coordinate transcript evaluations, degree audits, and recommended course sequences with the respective departments
• Coordinate recruitment efforts and serve as a key collaborative member of the New Braunfels Center staff, attending all meetings, events, etc.
• Assist in the creation, ordering, and management of promotional materials and office supplies for the New Braunfels Center
• Manage facility use, and host University sponsored events
• Support supervision of student employees, were applicable
• Assist in implementing New Braunfels campus initiatives, as assigned
• Assist with data management, analytics, and reporting
• Provide requested reports and tracking documents related to current admission and enrollment progress and historical data for the extension center
• Develop and implement a plan for building student engagement, and alumni relations (facilitating student organizations, alumni and student events, alumni coffees, etc.)

2. Responsible for implementing institutional enrollment strategies in off-campus and on-campus settings. Responsibilities include recruiting, admission, and enrollment of transfer, former HPU students, transient, non-degree seeking, private, charter, homeschool, first-year students, and graduate students

3. Recommend students for approval or denial of admission to the University, based on a comprehensive assessment of all required application materials submitted by the potential student. Collect documents needed for and collaborate with Office of Admission student applications

4. Assist in the development and implementation of recruitment strategies and New Braunfels recruiting (marketing) campaigns to effectively target prospective undergraduate, graduate, and dual credit students and shape the entering class. Responsibilities include assisting the Assistant Vice President for the New Braunfels Center in developing recruiting information materials and recruiting through electronic mediums (social media, etc.)

5. Read and evaluate admission data including, but not limited to, applications for admission, standardized testing results, secondary school and college transcripts, student-written essays, and letters of reference

6. Coordinate and facilitate communication with prospective and newly admitted students for the New Braunfels Center in standard mail and electronic formats. Expected duties will include:

• Extensive phone work and local day travel are required
• Assist in managing the mass electronic communication and traditional mail communication for the Office of
  Admissions and the New Braunfels Center along with the production of publications related to the communication plan

7. Must be able to travel and be away from home approximately 10% of the year. A typical travel schedule finds the Admission Counselor for the New Braunfels Center traveling weekly in the region throughout the year (fall, spring, and summer); in addition to day/evening travel for local fairs, events, etc. Although uncommon, overnight travel may be needed to cover Office of Admission recruiting events
Note: The Admission Counselor at the New Braunfels Center will spend core travel time focused on the Center’s market area and prospective student profiles

8. Work proactively with the University’s Brownwood campus Offices of Admissions and Registrar to facilitate their receipt of official transcripts for prospective and newly admitted New Braunfels Center students

a. Follow up with Offices of Admission and Registrar on their receipt of prospective and admitted students’ official High School transcripts

b. Follow up with the Office of the Registrar on their receipt of official college/university transcripts. Official transfer transcripts are required for the Office of Registrar for Transfer Evaluations to be completed for newly admitted transfer students. Transfer Evaluations inform and facilitate accurate initial registration

9. Represent the University to and build relationships with prospective students, parents, community groups, high school counselors, church administrators, and University alumni by:

a. Providing group information sessions for students and their families

b. Conducting personal interviews with prospective students

c. Visiting high schools to talk with students and counselors

d. Visiting churches to talk with students and ministers

e. Representing the University at college days and nights, school panel programs, and National College Fairs

f. Visiting businesses to talk with employers and employees about both undergraduate and graduate opportunities

g. Representing the University in the community through business, church, and community events as it relates to prospecting

h. Attend conferences and events, as assigned

10. Develop and implement a personal plan for assigned territory travel:

a. Determine college fairs to attend

b. Determine individual secondary school visits

c. Identify key churches in the primary region and schedule church visits to speak to members of youth groups, youth ministers, and/or senior ministers of the church

d. Assist main campus admission counselors in region travel, as needed

e. Request assistance/assign fellow admission counselors and alumni representatives to recruitment events

f. Responsible for the essential preparation for recruiting events (TACRAO college fairs and other recruiting travel events/activities. Organize and prepare recruitment events for the extension center

11. Develop and implement a personal communication plan involving all constituencies central to recruiting students to the University:

a. Evaluate and update personalized communications flow through the University’s enrollment management system, including hand-written notes and e-mails to prospective students

b. Keep open and log consistent communication with prospective students via phone calls, e-mails, and letters, as noted above

c. Evaluate and regularly update admissions marketing, recruiting materials and communication plan designed to promote the New Braunfels Center, in conjunction with the University’s Brownwood Admissions, and Marketing and Communications teams

d. Assist with social media strategy, recruiting/marketing/fundraising campaigns, and posts as part of the overall communications flow

12. Schedule the Accuplacer for new or dual credit students and assist with course exams and quizzes for students enrolled in online classes, including senior and master-level end-of-program assessments, as needed

13. Coordinate with the University’s Brownwood campus dual credit representative to process early admission paperwork for dual credit students in a timely manner. Be familiar with the dual credit process and work with parents, students, and counselors to facilitate enrollment. Maintain close communication with Assistant Vice President for the New Braunfels Center regarding dual credit course interests, admission processes, and enrollments

14. Coordinate with the Assistant Vice President for the New Braunfels Center and the University’s Brownwood campus graduate program(s) representative(s) to process graduate student paperwork and admission files (official transcripts, etc.). Be familiar with and able to speak knowledgeably about the graduate program(s) processes and work with students to facilitate enrollment

15. Obtain a detailed, working knowledge of the University and its many facets. Stay informed with ongoing updates about what’s happening on all HPU campuses to be able to speak knowledgeably about programs and events taking place – this includes the Brownwood and El Paso campuses

Competencies

1. Modeling Christian Faith - Must be committed to modeling the Christian faith; displays a proven record of modeling the Christian faith in business operations, management roles, customer service functions, and interactions with others; is committed to continuing to model Christian faith in a manner consistent with the University’s mission Statement and core values
2. Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs work flows and procedures
3. Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well problem solving as part of a group; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics
4. Project Management - Develops effective project plans; coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; and manages project team activities effectively
5. Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional situations effectively; solicits feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance promptly and effectively; meets the commitments they make to others
6. Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict without blaming others; consistently maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting them; keeps his or her emotions under control; remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things
7. Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates effective group presentation skills; participates actively in meetings
8. Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits his or her work for correct spelling and grammar; varies his or her writing style as needed; presents numerical data effectively; is able to read and interpret written information effectively
9. Teamwork - Balances the needs of the team and individual responsibilities effectively; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts the success of the team above his or her own interests; is able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed
10. Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; inspires respect and trust and motivates others to perform well; mobilizes others to fulfill the University’s Mission Statement while embracing the University’s Core Values; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates; exhibits self-confidence and confidence in others; influences actions and opinions of others effectively; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others
11. Managing Student Workers - Takes responsibility for student workers' activities; develops their skills and encourages growth
12. Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
13. Cost Consciousness - Works within their approved budget; develops and implements cost-saving measures; conserves University resources
14. Ethics - Treats everyone with respect; keeps commitments; inspires others to trust him or her; works with integrity and ethically; upholds the University's Mission Statement and Core Values
15. University Support - Follows policies and procedures consistently; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports the University’s Mission Statement and Core Values; benefits the University through external community and professional activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity
16. Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve the Institutional Priorities in the University’s Strategic Plan; understands the University’s strengths and weaknesses; analyzes the higher education market and competition effectively; identifies external threats and opportunities and adapts his or her strategy to changing conditions
17. Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in the decision-making process; makes timely decisions
18. Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures himself or herself against a high standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals
19. Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities effectively; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources if necessary; sets goals and objectives; organizes and schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans
20. Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts personal responsibility for his or her own actions; follows through with commitments
21. Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies effective feedback to improve performance; monitors his or her own work to ensure quality
22. Quantity - Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly
23. Safety and Security - Observes University safety and security policies and procedures; determines appropriate actions beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly
24. Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands for one’s time; changes approach or method to fit the situation effectively; is able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events effectively
25. Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time
26. Dependability - Follows instructions; responds effectively to his or her supervisor’s direction; takes responsibility for his or her own actions and keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies the appropriate person with an alternate plan
27. Initiative - Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes appropriate independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities to improve situations; asks for and offers help when needed
28. Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner