Early Academic Outreach Coordinator

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 56,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University seeks an Early Academic Outreach Coordinator to increase college access for Indiana residents, with emphasis on rural Marion County communities. You will guide students and families through the college search, coordinate with schools, and deliver engaging outreach programs.

The role requires strong organizational and communication skills, independent work, and a passion for helping students see college as achievable. Residency in Marion or a bordering county is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 4+ years in customer service, student services, or recruitment.
• Knowledge of recruitment and orientation processes.
• Valid US or Canadian driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Engage with students and families to guide college search and readiness.
• Develop and deliver outreach presentations and workshops for middle/high school audiences.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, counselors and community partners.
• Travel within Marion County and surrounding areas as needed.

Skills

Relationship-building

Public speaking

Graduation requirements

Independent work

Critical thinking

Cross-cultural communication

Student outreach

Presentation design

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s in education or counseling

Tools

Slate

Job description

Job Summary

The Early Academic Outreach Coordinator plays a vital role in increasing college access and readiness through program outreach efforts for Indiana resident students, with a special emphasis on rural communities in Marion County Indiana. This position engages with students as early as middle school, providing guidance and support to help them and their families understand the college search and selection process.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently, while also demonstrating excellent communication and relationship-building skills and a passion for helping students see college as an achievable goal.

Residency in Marion or a boarding county.

At Purdue, you'll find unrivaled pride and unlimited potential as we persistently pursue the next giant leap together.

Who We Are at Purdue University

We are committed to making Purdue’s world-class education affordable, accessible and valuable to Boilermakers and their families. We know that a college degree is an investment, and many families make this big decision together.

About Us

When you join Purdue University, you join a community that keeps moving forward. For more than 150 years, we’ve been known for not only our groundbreaking work in STEM research, but also for our collective imagination, ingenuity and innovation.

What We Are Looking For

Education and Experience

Qualified candidates will need:

• Bachelor's degree.
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience in customer service, student services, or recruitment.
• A sound grasp and understanding of the recruitment and orientation process.
• A valid US or Canadian driver's license.

Skills needed:

• Demonstrated familiarity with relationship-building, including the ability to establish and maintain trust with students, families, school counselors, and community partners over time.
• Experience presenting to both internal (university leadership, colleagues, campus partners) and external (school administrators, families, community organizations) stakeholders, in both formal and informal settings.
• Working knowledge of Indiana high school graduation requirements and diploma types, and the ability to translate them into guidance families can act on.
• Experience developing presentations and interactive activities or workshops for middle and high school audiences.
• Ability to work independently, remotely and successfully with limited supervision.
• Ability to think critically and use problem-solving and judgment skills to make educated, professional decisions.
• An attitude that values the perspectives of others.
• Develop and deliver engaging presentations to diverse student and family audiences while building meaningful relationships through effective communication, cultural competency, and outreach in both in-person and virtual settings.

What is helpful:

• Master's degree in education or counseling.
• University admissions experience or experience in event planning and management.
• Prior experience working with urban school districts, and knowledge of the Marion County/Indianapolis education and nonprofit landscape.
• Experience with CRM or student data management systems (e.g., Slate).

What We Want You To Know

• Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position.
• A background check will be required for employment in this position.
• FLSA: Exempt (not eligible for over-time).
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period.
• Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days.
• All applications must be held the first 5 business days due to our Equal Opportunity Employment policy.

For internal candidates that will be transferring between pay schedules (biweekly monthly; monthly biweekly), please coordinate your transfer date with your new manager to ensure a smooth transition of pay, benefits, and retirement.

What Sets Us Apart

The Early Outreach Coordinator in Marion County has the exciting opportunity to serve as a bridge between Purdue and the community—building relationships, bringing creative programming to life, and connecting students and families to opportunities they may not yet know exist. At its heart, this role gives students and families an early peek behind the curtain of higher education—the chance to learn what they don’t know, discover possibilities they may have never considered, and begin imagining a future beyond what they can currently see. By reaching students early, this coordinator helps shape the next generation and empowers young people with the knowledge, confidence, and endless possibilities to answer one of life’s biggest questions: “What’s next?”

Career Stream

Career Path: Professional 3

Pay Band S065

Job Code #20002087

The anticipated annual salary for this position is $56,000 - $78,000, commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience. The final salary offer will be determined based on a variety of factors, including equity, available budget, educational background, and relevant experience.

Who We Are

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

EOE

Purdue University is an EOE employer.