This position is responsible for the successful management, coordination, and implementation of the 8th Grade Pathways to GVSU program. This position emphasizes building relationships, managing recruitment initiatives, and implementing strategies to achieve enrollment goals. The role involves frequent collaboration with internal departments, external partners, and prospective students and their families, ensuring a positive and inclusive experience for all stakeholders.
Primary Duties
Program Coordination
- Coordinate program activities, including stakeholder meetings, program workshops, and events.
- Work closely with the Admissions Communications & Marketing Manager to facilitate communication and marketing among all Pathways to GVSU participants and involved parties. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date program documentation, including project plans, reports, and records, is a key responsibility.
- Building and sustaining relationships with program stakeholders is essential, as well as identifying opportunities for program improvement and efficiency.
- Coordinate summer experience enrollment initiatives, such as identifying and helping to deliver a more uniform summer experience for prospective learners (e.g., existing summer camps, Leadership Institutes)
- Collaborate with internal departments to streamline processes, create a comprehensive summer programming calendar.
- Assess program effectiveness and recommend enhancements based on data and feedback.
- Coordinate Grand Valley State University’s participation in the Wade H. McCree program.
- Develop and implement evaluation tools to measure program success, ensuring continuous improvements align with institutional enrollment goals.
- Work with faculty, staff, and student ambassadors to create engaging and informative programming that highlights the university experience for middle school students participating in the Pathways program.
- Work closely with the Battle Creek Youth Program in coordination of 8th Grade Pathways initiatives in Battle Creek and surrounding communities.
Recruitment and Outreach
- Represent GVSU both on and off-campus to prospective students, parents, secondary school counselors, and other individuals or organizations involved in the college selection process.
- Advise prospective applicants on the admissions process, academic programs, support resources, and opportunities at the university will take place through in-person and virtual appointments, small group presentations, phone calls, and emails.
- Establish and maintain relationships with K-12 educators and school counselors to ensure GVSU remains a visible and accessible option for students exploring postsecondary opportunities.
- Attend and actively participate in college fairs, community outreach programs, and special recruitment events targeting middle school and high school students to increase awareness of GVSU’s academic offerings and support services.
Admissions
- Counsel prospective students, families, stakeholders, and influencers about the admissions recruitment process, GVSU academic programs, student support, outcomes, and the GVSU brand.
- Review materials submitted by applicants to make admission decisions.
- Track and analyze recruitment and admissions data to identify trends and opportunities for enhancing engagement and conversion strategies.
- Develop targeted messaging and outreach efforts for students within the Pathways program to ensure a seamless transition from middle school engagement to high school college readiness initiatives.
Other Duties
- Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Three to five (3–5) years of experience in customer service, education, sales, admissions, or a related field, with demonstrated success in program coordination or student engagement.
- Proven experience managing programs, including the ability to lead projects, delegate tasks effectively, and assess program outcomes.
- Strong presentation, interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse student populations and external partners.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, prioritize competing responsibilities, and meet deadlines while maintaining high attention to detail.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel, including regional travel for recruitment, outreach, and program implementation.
- Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed, especially during peak recruitment and event seasons.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Master’s degree.
- Higher education experience.
- Experience with Student Information Systems (SIS) such as Ellucian Banner or Workday.
- Experience with customer relationship management systems (CRM).
- Bilingual in Spanish.
Working Conditions
- Normal office environment.
- Some evening and weekend work is required at various times throughout the year.
- Extensive travel is required.
Salary: $60,000 - $70,000, commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources, and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.
Department/Division: Admissions and Recruitment Office / Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach
Campus: Allendale, MI
How to Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers. Attach a cover letter and resume. The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Faye Spears at spearsf@gvsu.edu. If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at hro@gvsu.edu.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the university.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).
Grand Valley State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.