Admissions and Operations Coordinator

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking an organized, detail-oriented Student Services Assistant V to manage graduate admissions operations across several master's programs. You will guide applications through review, coordinate interviews, and serve as the main contact for prospective students and inquiries.

The role requires strong communication, project management, and data reporting skills, with a focus on accuracy, collaboration, and delivering an exceptional student experience.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and 4 to 6 years of office administrative experience in college recruitment, admissions, and/or student services, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with prospective students, faculty, alumni, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and customer service skills.
• Strong organizational, project management, and administrative skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain a high degree of accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills while working independently and collaboratively.
• Experience utilizing enterprise systems, databases, and technology platforms; advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications required.
• Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility, with the ability to adjust priorities and respond effectively to changing needs and circumstances.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Responsibilities

• Manage graduate admissions operations across multiple master's programs.
• Guide applications through the admissions review process and ensure timely processing.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective students and admissions inquiries.
• Coordinate admissions interviews and application reviews.
• Maintain admissions, enrollment, and scholarship data with a high degree of accuracy.
• Generate reports and provide data support to faculty directors, administrators, and university partners.
• Support student onboarding, orientation, registration, scholarship administration, and commencement activities.
• Partner with faculty, staff, and university offices to deliver an exceptional student experience.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and service delivery

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Problem solving

Excel proficiency

Office suite

Independent work

Education

Associate’s degree

Tools

CollegeNET CRM

Job description

The Opportunity

Are you exceptionally organized, detail-oriented, and energized by helping prospective students navigate important life-changing decisions and the graduate admissions process?

About The School

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy brings together world-class faculty, students, and practitioners to address society's most pressing public policy challenges. As one of Cornell's newest and fastest-growing schools, Brooks offers innovative undergraduate, professional, and graduate programs and is committed to developing leaders who make an impact locally, nationally, and globally.
You'll join a supportive and highly collaborative team that values partnership, open communication, and helping one another succeed. The school is also preparing to move into newly renovated space in King-Shaw Hall, creating an exciting environment for continued growth and innovation.

What You’ll Do

• Manage graduate admissions operations across multiple master's programs.
• Guide applications through the admissions review process and ensure timely processing.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective students and admissions inquiries.
• Coordinate admissions interviews and application reviews.
• Maintain admissions, enrollment, and scholarship data with a high degree of accuracy.
• Generate reports and provide data support to faculty directors, administrators, and university partners.
• Support student onboarding, orientation, registration, scholarship administration, and commencement activities.
• Partner with faculty, staff, and university offices to deliver an exceptional student experience.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and service delivery

What We Need

• Associate’s degree and 4 to 6 years of office administrative experience in college recruitment, admissions, and/or student services, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with prospective students, faculty, alumni, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and customer service skills.
• Strong organizational, project management, and administrative skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain a high degree of accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills while working independently and collaboratively.
• Experience utilizing enterprise systems, databases, and technology platforms; advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications required.
• Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility, with the ability to adjust priorities and respond effectively to changing needs and circumstances.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Experience working in admissions or student services previously.
• Experience with admissions and CRM platforms such as CollegeNET.

Rewards And Benefits

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 1 day per week and on-campus 4 days per week during the academic year with the ability to perform this role remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 days per week during breaks, including summer. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

University Job Title

Student Services Asst V

Job Family

Student Services

Level

E

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

$29.45 - $31.66

Remote Option Availability

Hybrid

Company

Contract College

Contact Name

Shallena Cunningham

Contact Email

[e-mail]

Job Titles And Pay Ranges

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-09-23