Graduate Admissions Counselor

Whitworth-University; Country Homes (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitworth University seeks a Graduate Admissions Counselor to lead recruitment for designated graduate programs, guiding prospective and admitted students from inquiry to enrollment. You will build program knowledge, coordinate outreach activities, and maintain relationships with applicants, alumni, and partners in a values-driven environment.

This role supports graduate enrollment goals through information sessions, events, and personalized communication, while collaborating with academic

Qualifications

• Associate's degree required; multiple educational backgrounds considered.
• One to three years in admissions, recruitment, higher education, or related fields.
• Commitment to the Christian mission and Whitworth's liberal arts values.
• Excellent service mindset and welcoming applicant experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for assigned graduate programs and admission requirements.
• Engage prospects through email, calls, virtual meetings, and events.
• Coordinate admissions processes, interviews, and communications for applicants.
• Collaborate with advisors, Financial Aid, and registrars to support enrollment.
• Represent Whitworth in a mission-centered, professional manner at events.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Portfolio management

Organization skills

Initiative

Team player

Tech savvy

Data analysis

Discretion

Education

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft 365

Job description

Whitworth University is seeking a Graduate Admissions Counselor to join our team of dedicated admission professionals. Graduate Admissions Counselors are assigned specific graduate programs and serve as a primary point of contact for prospective and admitted students interested in those programs. Graduate Counselors develop strong knowledge of their assigned programs, build relationships with prospective students, coordinate recruitment activities, and support students from initial inquiry through enrollment.

Serving as an Admission Counselor at Whitworth offers a unique opportunity to grow as a professional with a passion for Christian higher education. Successful candidates will be part of the Promotional Pathways for Graduate Enrollment Services (GES). The Promotional Pathways is a program that creates professional development opportunities for Graduate Admission Counselors to develop their skills and abilities in recruitment and receive promotions based on their progress. More details will be shared throughout the search process, and here is a quick outline:

• Graduate Admissions Counselor (by meeting key performance goals over 12-18 months, an admissions counselor can be considered for promotion to Senior Admissions Counselor)
• Senior Graduate Admissions Counselor (by meeting key performance goalsover 12-18 months, a Senior Admissions Counselor can be considered for promotion to Assistant Director)
• Assistant Director, Graduate Enrollment

Graduate Recruitment & Program Outreach | 30%

• Serve as a primary Graduate Enrollment Services contact for assigned graduate programs, developing a strong working knowledge of program requirements, curriculum, delivery formats, schedules, admission requirements, and distinguishing characteristics.
• Engage prospective students through email, phone, virtual meetings, information sessions, events, and other appropriate recruitment activities.
• Implement established recruitment and outreach strategies for assigned graduate programs to support enrollment goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with prospective students, applicants, alumni, community partners, professional organizations, and other appropriate constituents.
• Participate in graduate recruitment activities, including information sessions, graduate fairs, open houses, community outreach, networking events, interview days, and other enrollment events.
• Represent Whitworth and its graduate programs in a professional, welcoming, and mission-centered manner.

Prospective Student Engagement | 30%

• Provide timely, accurate, and personalized communication to prospective and admitted students throughout the recruitment and admissions process.
• Respond to prospective student questions and inquiries regarding graduate programs, admissions requirements, application processes, financial aid, enrollment steps, and other university resources.
• Maintain consistent follow-up with prospective students and applicants to encourage continued engagement and progress toward enrollment.
• Serve as a liaison between prospective students and university offices, faculty, academic programs, and other campus partners.
• Provide prospective students with appropriate information and referrals based on their individual questions and needs.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of student interactions and recruitment activities in Slate and other university systems.

Admissions & Enrollment Support | 30%

• Review graduate admissions applications and supporting materials for assigned programs in accordance with established admissions requirements and processes.
• Coordinate admissions-related activities, including interviews, applicant communications, decision communications, and other steps in the admissions process.
• Monitor prospective student and applicant activity for assigned programs and follow up with students as appropriate.
• Assist with monitoring inquiry, application, admission, deposit, and enrollment activity for assigned programs.
• Identify questions, trends, or barriers affecting prospective students and communicate relevant information to the appropriate Graduate Enrollment Services or academic team member.
• Collaborate with academic advisors, Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Accounts, Information Technology, International Education, and other campus partners to support a smooth transition from admission to enrollment.
• Provide a warm handoff to the appropriate academic advisor or program contact once a student enrolls.

Other | 10%

• Serve as an active member of the Graduate Enrollment Services team, contributing to recruitment and enrollment efforts and a positive student experience.
• Assist with the planning and coordination of graduate admissions events and activities.
• Stay current on graduate programs, admissions policies, university procedures, and enrollment resources in order to provide accurate information to prospective students.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to remain current on best practices in graduate recruitment, admissions, and student engagement.
• Contribute to department projects and process improvements as assigned.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

• Associate's degree. Whitworth considers candidates with a wide range of educational backgrounds. We value the skills and knowledge candidates bring to Whitworth, regardless of the paths they have taken to acquire them.
• One to three years of experience in admissions, recruitment, higher education, student services, customer service, or a related field. Relevant transferable experience from other settings will also be considered.
• Personal commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith and learning.
• Commitment to the educational mission of Whitworth University as a comprehensive Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.
• Commitment to providing excellent service and creating a welcoming experience for prospective and admitted students

Core Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and compassionately with prospective students and a variety of university constituents.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build authentic relationships with prospective students, applicants, colleagues, faculty, and community partners.
• Ability to manage a portfolio of prospective students and assigned graduate programs while balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage follow-up, documentation, scheduling, and multiple enrollment activities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgment, prioritize work, and manage time effectively with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team while also taking ownership of assigned responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and effectively use technology, including Microsoft 365, CRM systems, and other institutional databases.
• Ability to analyze and use basic enrollment data to monitor activity, identify follow-up needs, and support recruitment efforts.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive student information with appropriate discretion.

Preferred

• University experience
• Bachelor's degree

Schedule

Full-time (1.0 FTE) | 12 months | 40 hours per week

Whitworth office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday – Friday. Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends for recruitment events and other enrollment activities.

Whitworth University is a Christian liberal arts university. Our shared mission is to provide our diverse students with an education of mind and heart, equipping them to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. We seek candidates who are willing to engage with the university’s mission and integrate their Christian faith into their work.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, faith statement, and contact information for at least three professional references. A background check and sexual misconduct check will be required of the successful candidate.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of employment, including those on OPT. Whitworth University does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.