Graduate Enrollment Counselor

SDBOR; Spearfish (SD); On-site; USD 24,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota Board of Regents is hiring a Graduate Enrollment Counselor at Black Hills State University to manage the full graduate enrollment funnel, from inquiry through census enrollment. The role liaises with graduate programs, reviews applications, and issues decisions in accordance with Graduate Studies policies.

The position supports recruitment and marketing efforts, researches tuition assistance, maintains collateral, and updates web content for prospective adult and online learners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Two years of professional experience in higher education admissions, academic advising, student services, corporate recruiting, or marketing.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full graduate enrollment funnel from inquiry to census enrollment.
• Audit domestic and international portfolios for completeness and prerequisites.
• Coordinate application review workflows with department chairs and coordinators.
• Issue admissions decisions and official offers in line with policy.
• Lead recruitment efforts and research tuition assistance for potential students.
• Advise prospective adult, online, and post-traditional learners on programs and admissions routes.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Initiative

Flexibility

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Ellucian software

Web content management software

Job description

Black Hills State University seeks a motivated, organized, and dynamic individual to serve as the Graduate Enrollment Counselor. This position manages the full graduate student enrollment funnel from initial prospective inquiry through application file review, acceptance decisions, and census enrollment. Serving as the primary admissions liaison across graduate academic departments, the counselor evaluates applicant credentials, facilitates timely file review workflows with graduate program coordinators, and guides candidates through the admission and onboarding processes. In addition, the counselor supports graduate recruitment and marketing initiatives by researching area employer tuition benefits and workforce incentives, maintaining program marketing flyers and collateral, and updating graduate web content. This position requires strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, initiative, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, corporate partners, and adult learners. This is a 12-month, benefit-eligible position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and coordinate the full graduate enrollment funnel from prospective student inquiry through application completion, evaluation, formal admission, and census enrollment.
• Audit domestic and international application portfolios for completeness, evaluate transcripts, and verify prerequisite coursework against program standards.
• Facilitate and monitor application review workflows across academic department chairs and graduate program coordinators to ensure timely review and rapid decision turnaround.
• Formally issue admissions decisions (admit, provisional admit, deferral, denial) and official offer letters in alignment with Graduate Studies policies.
• Execute proactive yield initiatives to convert admitted students into enrolled cohorts, assisting with intent-to-enroll confirmations, registration obstacle resolution, and onboarding to reduce melt.
• Deliver personalized admissions advising to prospective adult, post-traditional, and online learners via telephone, email, and virtual appointments regarding program curricula, delivery formats, and admissions pathways.
• Research regional employers, school districts, healthcare networks, and public agencies to identify tuition assistance and reimbursement policies, establishing contacts to build workforce enrollment pipelines.
• Review, update, and maintain print and digital promotional collateral, including program flyers, one-page informational sheets, brochures, and graduate admissions web pages in collaboration with University Marketing and Communications.
• Administer the recruitment CRM and Student Information System (SIS) to maintain accurate applicant records, configure communication sequences, monitor conversion metrics across each funnel stage, and generate regular pipeline reports for academic leadership.
• Serve as an admissions liaison to campus partner offices, including Financial Aid, the Registrar, Veteran Affairs, and academic advising units, to support student onboarding.
• Represent Graduate Studies at regional career fairs, community gatherings, campus events, and university committee meetings.
• Occasional evening and/or weekend work will be required for recruitment events, webinars, and campus milestone activities.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present effectively to groups and convey academic policies clearly.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines independently.
• Demonstrated proficiency with CRM platforms, student information systems, or standard office productivity software.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse populations, including adult learners, faculty, and external community partners.
• Experience researching corporate tuition assistance policies and conducting B2B or employer outreach.
• Experience navigating decentralized faculty review processes within a college or university setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Two years of professional experience in higher education admissions, academic advising, student services, corporate recruiting, or marketing.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in higher education administration, counseling, business, communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing and updating print and digital promotional materials (e.g., flyers, one-pagers, brochures) using design software.
• Familiarity with Ellucian software and web content management software.
• Direct experience in graduate admissions, academic credential evaluation, or full lifecycle enrollment management.

SPECIAL COMMENTS

Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Black Hills State University is a masters-level state University with 3,600 students. The campus leads the region in sustainability efforts and maintains top academic programs in business ( AACSB ), exercise science, natural sciences, social sciences, the arts, mass communication, health sciences and education. The University, founded in 1883, is located in the northern Black Hills, a region abundant with outdoor activity and culture. Spearfish, S.D., is recognized as one of the top 10 most livable small towns in the USA and has also been recognized nationally for outdoor recreational opportunities. A second location, BHSU -RC, was recently established in Rapid City, the state’s second largest city. BHSU , a member of NCAA Division II athletics, offers 14 sports. BHSU has a legacy of champion rodeo teams.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Black Hills State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black Hills State University and the Board of Regents ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination.

Contact Information

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

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Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Where did you hear about this position?

• SDBOR Employment Site
• BHSU Website
• HigherEdJobs.com
• Chronicle of Higher Education
• SD Department of Labor
• Rapid City Journal
• Black Hills Pioneer
Referral
• Other

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Reference List

Optional Documents

• Other

The South Dakota Board of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Board of Regents will take affirmative action to ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination. In addition, the Board of Regents fully supports incorporation of non-discrimination and affirmative action rules and regulations into all of its employment practices. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by contacting the appropriate Human Resources office. Please see the Contact Us section of this webpage for more information.

Notice to all applicants: If you are selected as a finalist, job references and a background check may be conducted.

South Dakota Board of Regents

306 E. Capital Ave, Suite 200

Pierre, SD 57501

605-773-3455

Posting Date

Posting Date 10/30/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled Yes

First Consideration Date

First Consideration Date 11/05/2026

Advertised Salary

Advertised Salary minimum $21.41/hr commensurate with qualifications plus benefits

Duration of the Term

Duration of the Term 12 months

Appointment Percent

Appointment Percent 100%

Work Hours

8-5pm – M-F

Typical Hours Worked Per Week

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Regular

Scope of Search

Scope of Search External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search

This position requires

This position requires No Requirement

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