Registrar - #000205

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks a Registrar to safeguard the accuracy of academic records, oversee enrollment activities, and ensure compliance with policies and graduation requirements. The role collaborates across Admissions, Financial Aid, IT, and academic colleges to support enrollment goals and student services.

The position is based on-site in Cullowhee, NC, offering leadership in a dynamic registrar’s office and opportunities for professional development and process improvement within a

Qualifications

• Master’s or terminal degree with at least five years in senior records leadership in higher education.
• Significant experience with an integrated student information system.
• Knowledge of policies, FERPA, and data privacy in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Ensure integrity of academic records and enrollment data.
• Plan and direct registration, transcripts, scheduling, transfer credits, enrollment certification, and graduation requirements.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Financial Aid, IT Services, and academic colleges to support enrollment goals and provide services to students and administrators.

Skills

Records management

Leadership

Data governance

Policy compliance

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

Banner (Ellucian)

Job description

About Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.
• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act ( EHRA ).

The Registrar is responsible for ensuring the integrity of university academic records as well as planning and directing administrative and operational activities in the areas of registration, transcripts, course scheduling, transfer equivalencies, enrollment certification, and graduation requirements. The Registrar works with colleagues in Admissions, Financial Aid, Advising, the Controller’s Office, IT Services, and academic colleges and departments to assist with enrollment goals and provide services to students, faculty, and university administrators.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of academic records administration, registration, degree audit, course scheduling, transfer credit, transcript services, enrollment certification, and graduation-related processes in a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of applicable institutional, system, state, and federal policies, regulations, and reporting requirements related to student records, data privacy, academic policy, and compliance.
• Skill in using integrated student information systems and related technologies to support records management, reporting, process automation, data integrity, and service delivery.
• Ability to provide strategic and operational leadership, supervise staff, collaborate with campus partners, resolve complex administrative issues, and support continuous improvement in a service-oriented office.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and responsible data stewardship.

Minimum Qualifications

• Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.
• A Master’s degree or terminal degree and at least five years of experience in significant levels of leadership in records, registration, and related technology areas. Significant experience with an integrated student information system is also required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience using Banner (Ellucian).
• Five or more years of leadership experience within a Registrar’s Office at an institute of higher education.

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week

40

Number of Months Per Year

12

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Resume
• List of references

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).