Assistant Dean of Admission (QuestBridge/On-Campus Programming Focus)
Location:
Amherst, MA
Open Date:
Sep 27, 2018
Description:
Special responsibilities of the Assistant Dean of Admission (QuestBridge/On-Campus Programming Focus) include: managing Amherst’s long-standing partnership with the QuestBridge Program, a nationwide initiative to provide expanded educational opportunity to underserved low-income high school students; overseeing our on-campus Spring Open Houses for Admitted Students, in collaboration with our Visitor Relations Teams; assisting with our Fall Diversity Open Houses; and administering the Admitted Student Questionnaire.
General responsibilities of the Assistant Dean include: reading and evaluating applications; participating in committee admission decisions; conducting information sessions with students and families, traveling domestically (and possibly internationally) for recruitment; and engaging effectively with the computerized Admission Office database.
In support of our institutional vision of expanded access and broad diversity across geographic, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic dimensions, Amherst College is committed to need-blind admission and generous need-based, no-loan financial aid for all students, domestic and international. The Assistant Dean of Admission works with the Dean of Admission to achieve an academically talented and diverse student body, whose intellectual, social, racial, ethnic, socio-economic and geographic qualities contribute to the success of the entire campus community, and is expected to contribute to the College’s efforts to create a diverse, respectful, inclusive, cooperative and welcoming work environment.
Key Responsibilities
Programs
- Manage Amherst’s partnership with the QuestBridge Program.
- Oversee Spring Open Houses for admitted students.
- Assist with Fall Diversity Open Houses for prospective students.
- Administer the Admitted Student Questionnaire.
Recruitment and Admission
- Read and evaluate applications for admission.
- Participate as a voting member of the admission committee.
- Conduct on-campus and off-campus information sessions for prospective students and their families.
- Undertake domestic recruitment travel.
- Participate in weekend and evening admission events, as required.
- Cultivate relationships with high-school counselors and educational organizations.
- Serve on committees, as assigned.
- Engage effectively with the computerized Admission Office database.
Qualifications:
Required
- Bachelors degree
- 2 - 3 years of experience in higher education admission or related field
- Ability to articulate the benefits of a liberal arts education to a diverse audience
- Exceptional skills in verbal and written communication with varied constituencies, including prospective applicants, parents, high school counselors, alumni, faculty and other staff
- Enthusiasm for interacting with students and families from diverse backgrounds
- Proficiency in the use of computerized systems and interest in related web analytics
- Excellent time-management and organizational skills
- Close, consistent attention to detail
- Evenings and weekends are often required
- Valid driver’s license
- Travel approximately 15 – 20 days for recruitment (may include international travel) including driving to/from high schools and college fairs for recruitment
Preferred
- Master’s degree
- Experience working with a web content management systems (CMS), Slate, Excel, and ImageNow
Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (email and/or telephone numbers) for three professional references. Applications will be reviewed until position is filled.
ABOUT AMHERST COLLEGE
Amherst College, one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, a town of approximately 35,000 residents in the western part of the state. The college’s community is composed of about 1,800 students from 48 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 54 countries around the world, and about 1,000 staff and faculty. The college’s scenic 1,000-acre campus includes a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary and the Book & Plow Farm; three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum, Beneski Museum of Natural History and Mead Art Museum; and multiple educational and cultural venues and resources through the Five College Consortium. The town of Amherst offers an amazing variety of coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment, and a very active outdoor life. Our vibrant campus, diverse community and beautiful surrounding, makes Amherst College and the Town of Amherst the perfect place to work, learn and live!