College Access Navigator - Kenosha

Gateway Technical College; Village of Somers (WI); On-site; USD 63,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Gateway Technical College is seeking a College Access Navigator to be the primary contact for prospective students, delivering individualized guidance and enrollment support. The role emphasizes proactive outreach, relationship building, and coordinated pathways to Gateway programs, with potential work with high schools and community partners.

The Navigator will manage admissions guidance, career pathway exploration, and dual credit initiatives, ensuring students understand options, overcome

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Two years of relevant experience in higher education or secondary education.
• Experience guiding students through goal setting and planning.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with prospective students and school partners.
• Provide admissions, enrollment, academic and career pathway guidance.
• Monitor student progress and reassess goals.
• Coordinate recruitment events and outreach activities.
• Document interactions using SIS and CRM platforms.
• Collaborate with campus departments and external partners.

Skills

Academic advising

Recruitment

Outreach

Case management

Enrollment support

Student communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM systems

Student Information Systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE

College Access Navigator

Help prospective students find their path to Gateway through personalized guidance, proactive outreach, and enrollment support.

Salary
$63,499–$65,628 annually

Campus
Kenosha, Wisconsin

Compensation grade
H

Reports to
Bao Lee, Director of Recruitment

Priority application deadline
November 10, 2026

Applications open through
November 13, 2026

Student Affairs | Student Support | Full-time | One opening

We will review all applications received by the priority deadline.

The Role in Brief

The College Access Navigator serves as a primary point of contact for prospective high school and adult students, providing individualized guidance, proactive outreach, and enrollment support to help students successfully navigate the admissions process and matriculate into a Gateway Technical College program. Through relationship building, case management, admissions guidance, career pathway exploration, pre-admission course advising, and coordination with college and community partners, the position helps students understand educational options, navigate enrollment processes, overcome barriers, and make informed decisions about academic and career goals. Depending on assigned responsibilities, the Navigator may work directly with high school students and school partners through dual credit and college access initiatives or with prospective students in campus, community, and other outreach settings.

Assignment flexibility: The College Access Navigator may be assigned to support specific student populations, geographic areas, schools, community partners, or recruitment initiatives based on institutional needs. Assignments may include high school and early college populations, adult and returning learners, campus-based prospective students, community outreach, or other prospective student populations.

Why This Role Matters

Connect students with accessible educational opportunities, help them make informed enrollment and career decisions, strengthen school and community partnerships, and provide responsive, student-centered service.

What You Will Actually Do

Service & Relationship Management – 35%

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with prospective and dual credit students, families, school partners, community organizations, employers, and internal stakeholders.
• Support students with individualized admissions, enrollment, academic, career pathway, and educational planning guidance based on student interests, circumstances, and goals.
• Provide ongoing pathway advising by monitoring student progress, reassessing goals, and helping students navigate academic, career, and enrollment decisions.
• Conduct proactive outreach, advising sessions, presentations, information sessions, orientations, recruitment events, and other engagement activities.
• Serve as a responsive point of contact, connecting students and partners with appropriate college resources and coordinating support to address questions and barriers.
• Represent Gateway professionally across campus, high schools, community settings, and other assigned outreach environments.

Operational Execution & Administration – 25%

• Manage assigned prospective student populations, maintaining accurate case notes, enrollment documentation, records, and follow-up activities.
• Guide students through admissions, registration, placement, financial aid processes, program requirements, and other enrollment activities.
• Utilize student information systems, CRM platforms, and other technology to document interactions, monitor engagement, track enrollment milestones, and support outreach.
• Apply institutional policies, FERPA requirements, WTCS guidelines, and applicable program requirements to student and enrollment activities.
• Coordinate appointments, communications, events, and other administrative activities necessary to support effective student engagement and enrollment.

Critical Thinking & Decision-Making – 20%

• Assess student circumstances, interests, and barriers to determine appropriate guidance, resources, interventions, and next steps.
• Interpret institutional policies, program requirements, admissions processes, and available resources to help students make informed decisions.
• Resolve enrollment and student service issues by evaluating options, coordinating with appropriate departments, and recommending solutions.
• Analyze student engagement, participation, and enrollment information to identify prospective students requiring follow-up and opportunities to improve recruitment and enrollment outcomes.
• Exercise sound judgment in balancing student needs, institutional requirements, and enrollment priorities.

Planning, Coordination & Continuous Improvement – 15%

• Coordinate recruitment, enrollment, outreach, student engagement, and dual credit initiatives to increase access, strengthen high school partnerships, and support successful transitions to Gateway Technical College.
• Manage assigned caseloads, outreach activities, events, and enrollment processes to ensure timely follow-through and completion of priorities.
• Collaborate with academic departments, Admissions, Advising, Financial Aid, Career Services, Student Accounts, schools, employers, community organizations, and other partners.
• Support implementation of grant-funded programs and other institutional initiatives related to student access, recruitment, and enrollment.
• Evaluate feedback, participation, and program outcomes and refine strategies and processes to strengthen student engagement and service delivery.

Additional Responsibilities – 5%

• Participate in institutional committees, recruitment events, professional development, and community or school-based activities.
• Support departmental initiatives, special projects, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Maintain current knowledge of Gateway programs, student resources, enrollment processes, and emerging recruitment practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Need to Succeed

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Two (2) years of relevant experience providing academic advising, recruitment, outreach, case management, enrollment support, or student support services in a higher education or secondary education setting.
• Demonstrated experience supporting individuals through goal setting, planning, problem-solving, and connecting individuals to appropriate resources or services.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate documentation, and build effective relationships with diverse populations.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and requirements while exercising sound judgment and providing accurate guidance.
• Ability to establish effective relationships with prospective students, families, school personnel, community partners, employers, and college employees across a variety of settings and communication methods.

Conditions of Employment

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Verification of employment eligibility is required at the time of hire, and visa sponsorship is not available.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
• Flexibility to work day, evening, and weekend hours based on operational and student needs.
• Requires travel across campus locations and to external partner sites such as high schools, community organizations, and business/industry partners.
• Must have reliable transportation.

Questions About the Position?

Bao Lee, Director of Recruitment
Call or text 262-732-5499 | Wisconsin Relay 711

Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Safety

Gateway will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law.

Gateway Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Access Educator/Employer operating under an Affineative Action Plan. Reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. Applicants needing accommodation may contact the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights at [e-mail] or 262-564-3062.

Gateway encourages applicants to review its Annual Security Report, published in compliance with the Clery Act and the Violence Against Women Act. Contact [e-mail] or 262-564-3062 to request a hard copy.

Begin Your Next Chapter at Gateway

Bring your passion for student success, relationship building, and educational access to Gateway Technical College. Help students take their next step toward their academic and career goals.

College Access Navigator | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Full-time | Grade H | $63,499–$65,628 annually