At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It’s this courage that enables the Mavily (Maverick Family) to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea.

From this place of humility and courage, we’ve built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement.

Inspired by the soul of the West—the spirit that our region embodies—we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.

COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY CORE VALUES

Love: Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others
Dignity: Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill
Courage: Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
Humility: Suspending one’s ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others
Resiliency: Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing opportunity
Curiosity: Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
Power: The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals

SECTION II – THE SEAT

At CMU, we look at every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships that support the well-being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric organization, a priority is to ensure we have the “right seats” in our organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the seats.

OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS
The Admissions Counselor/Senior Admissions Counselor is regionally based in the Denver-metro area (consideration will be given to locations along the Colorado I-25 corridor) and will represent Colorado Mesa University by providing prospective students and their families with guidance and support throughout the college admissions process. This role involves managing recruitment efforts, cultivating relationships with high schools, community organizations, and prospective students, and assisting in the development of strategies to meet enrollment goals for the region. The Admissions Counselor / Senior Admissions Counselor will also be responsible for evaluating admission applications, conducting outreach, attending events, and representing CMU in a positive and professional manner.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
RECRUITMENT AND OUTREACH
• Actively recruit prospective students from the Front Range Colorado region. Primarily focus is on first-time undergraduate students but can include recruitment of transfer and adult learners.
• Build and maintain relationships with high school counselors, community colleges, local community organizations, and other key stakeholders to encourage students to consider CMU.
• Attend and represent the institution at college fairs, high school visits, community events, and other outreach opportunities within the Front Range region as assigned.
• Work with supervisor to develop and execute regional recruitment strategies to meet enrollment targets and increase awareness of the institution’s programs and offerings.

ADMISSIONS COUNSELING
• Provide one-on-one counseling to prospective students and their families on the admissions process, including academic requirements, application procedures, financial aid, scholarships, and campus life.
• Guide students through the application process, offering advice on application materials, deadlines, and ensuring timely submission of required documents.
• Conduct informational sessions, workshops, and presentations to educate students and families about the benefits of attending the institution, its programs, and opportunities available for students.

APPLICATION REVIEW AND EVALUATION
• Review and evaluate applications for admission, including academic transcripts, test scores, extracurricular involvement, personal essays, and letters of recommendation.
• Apply institutional admission policies and procedures when making admissions decisions, ensuring fair and equitable evaluation of all applicants.
• Participate in the development and updating of admissions criteria and processes, working closely with other members of the admissions team.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
• Provide excellent customer service by responding to inquiries from prospective students, parents, and high school counselors in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain ongoing communication with prospective students throughout the admissions process, ensuring they are informed of their application status, important deadlines, and next steps.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for students in the Front Range Colorado region, offering support through email, phone, and in-person meetings.

DATA TRACKING AND REPORTING
• Track and report on recruitment activities, including outreach efforts, applications, and yield outcomes for the region.
• Maintain accurate records of all interactions with prospective students and ensure that information is entered into the admissions database.
• Establish awareness around cost effective recruitment activities. Submit travel expense reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Provide regular reports to the Director of Admissions and other institutional stakeholders regarding recruitment efforts and regional trends.

COLLABORATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Work collaboratively with colleagues within the Admissions Office and across departments, including academic departments, student services, financial aid, and others, to ensure a smooth admissions process.
• Participate in regular training and professional development to stay current on admissions trends, best practices, and institutional changes.
• Engage in ongoing learning about the Front Range Colorado region, its educational landscape, and the unique needs of prospective students in this area.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE FOR RIGHT FIT
ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• At least 1-2 years of experience in college admissions, recruitment, or student services
• Experience gained as a student will be considered
• Experience in college admissions, recruitment, or student services
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with a broad audience including direct communication and public speaking in front of a large audience
• Strong ability and enthusiasm in promoting and encouraging individuals to further their education
• Proven ability to multi- task with critical deadlines with minimal or no direction
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license by date of employment

PREFERRED
• Completed or currently pursuing a master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field
• Fluent Spanish speaker
• Experience working with diverse student populations
• Experience with outreach efforts and event planning
• Knowledge of the higher education landscape, particularly in Colorado and the Front Range region

SENIOR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• At least 3+ years of experience in college admissions, recruitment, or student services
• For internal candidates – highly successful completion of related roles and responsibilities, with no history of performance related issues
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with a broad audience including direct communication and public speaking in front of a large audience
• Strong ability and enthusiasm in promoting and encouraging individuals to further their education
• Proven ability to multi- task with critical deadlines with minimal or no direction
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license by date of employment

PREFERRED
• Completed or currently pursuing a master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field
• Fluent Spanish speaker
• Experience working with diverse student populations
• Experience with outreach efforts and event planning
• Knowledge of the higher education landscape, particularly in Colorado and the Front Range region

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR / SENIOR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR
SKILLS & ABILITIES
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, families, high school counselors, and other stakeholders
• Excellent public speaking and presentation abilities
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to evaluate academic records and make sound, fair admissions decisions
• Familiarity with admissions software (e.g., Slate, Ellucian, or similar) and CRM tools is desirable
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

SECTION III – OUR DESIRES FOR RIGHT FIT

For the success of our mission and our teams, we desire to have individuals who are a “Right Fit” in our seats. We define “Right Fit” as those who embrace our culture, demonstrate our values, understand the seat and what is required. We seek individuals who want this seat, desire to be a part of a bigger vision and have the capacity to be a successful member of our CMU team.

CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS
Capacity for this seat includes knowledge, skills and emotional intelligence and ability to commit to this seat
• Excellent written and verbal communication and customer service skills
• Ability to establish rapport, foster positive relationships and build trust with students, supporters, counselors and colleagues
• Experience with, or ability to learn, Colorado Mesa University admissions criteria, application procedures, financial aid options, and programs offered
• Efficiently manage a large volume of applications, communications, appointments, data tracking and deadlines
• Ability to handle and navigate a fast-paced work environment with competing priorities
• Understanding and respect diverse backgrounds and perspectives
• Capable of making informed decisions evaluating student applications
• Working knowledge of, or ability to learn, CMU’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, the Student Information System (SIS) and various communication tools to manage outreach and data
• Ability to effectively and engagingly present at college fairs, high school visits, and information sessions
• Willingness to travel frequently within a designated territory and conduct work outside of regular hours
• Ability to present complex information in an understandable manner to team members and leaders
• Able to develop a strategic and budget aware approach to recruitment activities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER
This position description is only a summary of the typical functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and areas of accountability.