POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Admissions Counselor
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1261
GRADE 41
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Associate Director, Admissions
GENERAL FUNCTION The Admissions Counselor serves as a primary representative of Missouri State University and is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating territory-specific recruitment strategies that increase prospective student engagement, applications, and enrollment yield. The position exercises significant ownership of an assigned recruitment territory and organizes all aspects of the student recruitment pipeline, including relationship development, outreach planning, event execution, student counseling, and enrollment conversion efforts.
The Admissions Counselor serves as a knowledgeable and credible advocate for Missouri State University across a variety of internal and external settings, representing the institution to prospective students, families, school counselors, community-based organizations, transfer partners, alumni, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders. Success in this role requires comprehensive knowledge of university academic programs, admissions policies, financial aid processes, and student support services to effectively counsel students with diverse educational backgrounds and enrollment goals.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor's degree is required. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: One year of experience in recruitment or a related field is required. Candidates with a significant, demonstrated history of student leadership involvement will meet this work history requirement.
Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills are required for public speaking. Demonstrated organizational skills are required. Demonstrated experience with or capacity to learn customer relationship management (CRM) tools and experience with general office software such as Microsoft Office is required.
Effort: This position transports and sets up unassisted recruitment and display materials and media equipment. The ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds is required. Data entry and computer work is required.
License: A valid driver's license is required.
Other: The scope of the job requires frequent consecutive overnight and weekend travel, primarily during the fall and spring semesters. Travel expenses are reimbursed, for personal vehicle use, or vehicle rental with pre-authorization from supervisor. .Frequent evening and weekend work will be required as directed by leadership.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Travels independently in a defined geographic territory (or as needed elsewhere) to cultivate new leads for prospective students and to develop relationships with high school counselors and other constituents, staffing college fairs, high school visits, and one-on-one engagement as well as planning and executing admission events as necessary to meet goals.2. Assumes primary role of an assigned geographic recruitment territory and develops, implements, and assesses strategic territory management plans designed to increase student inquiries, applications, admits, enrollment yield, and overall market penetration.
3. Works with multiple student types (e.g., first-time, transfer, non-traditional), ensuring consistent and accurate representation of the institution.
4. Analyzes territory trends, demographic data, recruitment outcomes, and enrollment metrics to identify opportunities and inform recruitment strategies.
5. Develops and maintain strong relationships with high school counselors, community-based organizations (CBOs), educational partners, college access professionals, and other stakeholders critical to the University's recruitment pipeline.
6. Represents Missouri State University through high school visits, college fairs, community events, transfer recruitment activities, virtual engagement opportunities, and individual counseling appointments.
7. Designs, customizes, coordinates, and executes territory-specific recruitment events and programs that align with enrollment objectives and respond to the unique characteristics of assigned markets.
8. Cultivates leads through continuous outreach throughout the recruitment cycle by phone, email, and text message. Ensures leads progress to the next step in the recruitment process from first point of contact to enrollment.
9. Exercises sound resource management when negotiating with restaurants, hotels, or other venue providers for events and travel including for prospective students, admitted students, and high school counselors.
10. Actively recruits students during large campus-based events such as those hosted by Athletics, Academic Affairs, and others as required by the department in addition to admitted student days, open houses, and others.
11. Participates in daily campus visit operations by leading information sessions and fielding questions from visitors throughout their campus visit experience.
12. Provides leadership to student tour guides as needed to ensure visitors’ needs and expectations are met. May be required to lead campus tours in addition to, staffing the Welcome Center, the Admissions Advisor assists with MSU 62 recruitment.
13. Maintains comprehensive and current knowledge of Missouri State University's academic offerings, enrollment policies, co-curricular opportunities, and student success resources to effectively represent the institution.
14. Communicates with prospective students and addressing any questions. . helping them with all matters, addressing their questions directly or researching and providing a referral to another campus office
15. Assists colleagues across campus interpret admissions policies and procedures to troubleshoot issues for students.
16. Collaborates with college-level recruiters and advisors as necessary to facilitate the recruitment of new and returning students to the University, including the transfer of college credits from other institutions to the University. and interpreting university policies
17. Provides operational support to Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration as directed to improve desired outcomes of assigned students.
18. Maintains and coordinates professional competence for self and others through ongoing professional development, which may include attending training, participating in state and national conferences, and staying informed of changes in the small business, economic development, and funding best practices.
19. Leads and manages all aspects of recruitment initiatives and special projects, including planning, implementation, communication, assessment, etc., as well as digital engagement campaigns, student communication platforms, web, or video series, telecounseling teams, and other strategic outreach efforts.
20. Performs all other duties as assigned by the Department and Division of Enrollment Management leadership.
SUPERVISION
The Admissions Counselor has no direct reports or bonified supervisory duties.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JULY 2026
