Part-Time Admissions Specialist

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking a Part-Time Admissions Specialist to help coordinate recruitment activities, support admissions events, and communicate with prospective students and families. You will assist with on-campus and virtual events, manage registrations, provide timely responses, and collaborate with admissions officers and campus partners.

This role requires strong organization, excellent communication, and the ability to work evenings or weekends as events occur.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate on-campus and virtual admissions events, including Open Houses and ASEs; reserve spaces and manage setup.
• Create event registrations and track attendance; assist with post-event follow-up communications.
• Collaborate with faculty and advisers to secure coverage for events and coordinate schedules.
• Provide timely email support to prospective students and families; address questions during events.
• Attend staff and college meetings to stay informed on recruitment strategies and priorities.
• Organize recruitment data and materials to support future planning and outreach.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, higher education, or related field

Job description

The Part-Time Admissions Specialist helps coordinate recruitment activities, support admissions events, and communicate with prospective students and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Event Support & Coordination Support the full-time Admissions Officers with planning on-campus and virtual admissions events, including Open Houses, Admitted Student Events (ASE), Spend A Summer Day (SASD), and ad hoc visit days. Reserve event spaces, including atrium and lobby areas, and coordinate furniture and setup needs. Create event registration in Slate and track attendance. Assist with pre- and post-event communications, including follow-up surveys and feedback collection.
• Faculty & Adviser Coordination Work with the Admissions Officers to secure faculty and adviser coverage for recruitment events. Confirm participation, send reminders, and help resolve last-minute changes or issues. Help coordinate adviser schedules for virtual and in-person events.
• Communication & Event Presence Attend virtual or in-person admissions events to monitor chats, assist participants, and address technical or logistical needs. Provide timely, friendly email support to prospective students and visitors. Represent the University at select recruitment events, such as college fairs, as needed and directed by the full-time Admissions Officers.
• Administrative & Recruitment Support Attend admissions staff and college representative meetings to stay informed about recruitment strategies and priorities. Prepare materials for upcoming programs and events. Maintain and order print materials and other recruitment resources. Organize recruitment, attendance, and outreach data to support future planning.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration Coordinate with other departments and University units on shared initiatives and events. Support targeted outreach to prospective students, families, and school counselors during campus visits and special programs.

Required/Preferred Qualifications

• Strong organizational and time-management skills. Bachelor’s degree in business, higher education, or a related field required. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom - it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters - more than half a million strong - driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.