Freshman Admissions Counselor

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

The Freshman Admission Counselor supports learning by recruiting a diverse student population of full-time freshmen to undergraduate programs. The position also counsels prospective students throughout the admission process.

Core Competencies:

  1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
  2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
  3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
  4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Assists with special programs and research projects; participates in the development and implementation of enrollment strategies.
  2. Identifies, recruits, and enrolls prospective students in an assigned territory; uses past data to plan and arrange all phases of travel.
  3. Researches and provides accurate information about Aurora University's degree programs and admissions procedures.
  4. Evaluates high school transcripts and ACT and SAT board scores. Makes decisions on admission and scholarship levels.
  5. Manages high school visits, attendance at college fairs, home visits, campus visits, telecounseling, written correspondence, and financial aid discussions.
  6. Coordinates open houses and on-campus and off-campus recruitment events.
  7. Provides basic financial aid information to prospective students and families, including an explanation of the financial aid process; works with the family to determine a comprehensive financial plan for attendance at the university.
  8. Manages student interns to assist in fulfilling admission counselor duties.
  9. Recommends and implements strategies to meet enrollment goals for freshmen.
  10. Engages with current CRM, Colleague, and other technology recruitment strategies; actively recommends ideas and process improvements.
  11. Other duties as assigned by the Director of Enrollment.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.

Experience:

  • Experience in higher education is important. Experience in admissions or sales preferred.

Skills:

  • Sensitivity to the needs of and ability to relate well to transfer and adult students is necessary.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills.
  • Customer-service orientation and professional manner.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft software is essential. Knowledge of Colleague/Slate preferred.
  • Ability to handle and act upon confidential information.
  • Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents; and to develop strong working relationships with colleagues, staff, administrators, students, and the general public.
  • Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines are required. Flexibility with an evolving work situation.

Special Requirements:

  • Valid Illinois driver's license. Ability to travel regularly to high schools and career fairs, providing own vehicle. Some evening and weekend hours are required.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to move about campus and other locations.
  • Ability to interact via telephone, in person, and via electronic media.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

If you were referred by a current employee of Aurora University please include the name of the employee in your submission.

Aurora University
Human Resources
347 South Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
jobs@aurora.edu - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.