Director, Access and Inclusion

LEADERSHIP PROFILE & POSITION SUMMARY

Position Summary: The Director is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic and tactical plans to identify, recruit and enroll academically talented, diverse students for Ohio University’s undergraduate programs. The Director coordinates with other admissions and enrollment management team members to provide subject matter expertise regarding recruitment, admission, and yield efforts for diverse populations. Identifies and nurtures relationships with community-based organizations that promote college access in underserved or underrepresented populations. This position manages professional staff members and provides oversight for associated student organizations in Undergraduate Admissions. Serves as a liaison to ensure strategic and functional alignment of recruitment and admissions processes between Undergraduate Admissions and the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office for Multicultural Success and Retention, academic and administrative units, and regional campuses and centers. Serves as an active member of the Undergraduate Admissions recruitment team and participates in the admission application review process. This position will report to the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions.
 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, Inclusion, and Social Justice: The successful candidate will embrace the division’s commitment to incorporating diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and social justice into decision-making and processes. Through their work in this position, the Director will play a critical role in OHIO’s commitment to reducing barriers to education, supporting diverse students, and building a sense of belonging for all.
 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Senior Leadership: Serves on the Undergraduate Admissions leadership team and collaborates with executive management across the Enrollment Management division in the development and implementation of a comprehensive, data driven, strategic recruitment plan that drives undergraduate enrollment across all of OHIO’s campuses. Leads initiatives essential to achieving University enrollment goals, providing leadership and expertise in the areas of access and diversity. Assesses recruitment and yield activities for effectiveness and provides recommendations for continuation or replacement of those activities. Analyzes landscape to craft narratives and reports that aid in crafting strategic directions.
 

In consultation with the Vice President for Enrollment Management and the AVP/Executive Director, collaborates with designated partners in the division and across the institution on the development and effective utilization of recruitment and yield strategies, resources, and personnel who are focused on the supporting specific enrollment goals. Partners with colleagues within the division and across the University to implement recruitment, admission, and yield plans and assesses the effectiveness of initiatives. Develops and maintains strong relationships with key external counterparts and stakeholders through regular communication and interactions. Partners with the Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships on scholarship and aids initiatives that support access and student success at OHIO.
 

Serves as the primary liaison between Enrollment Management and the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Maintains close collaboration and communication with the Executive Director of DD&I.

Provides ongoing guidance, support, and subject matter expertise for the division-wide Access, Diversity, and Inclusion Work Group.
 

Provides oversight for office activities as necessary. Assists the AVP/Executive Director through the development, training, and management of office personnel. Represents the AVP/Executive Director in their absence as needed.
 

Diversity Initiatives: Responsible for the development and implementation of strategic and tactical plans for the recruitment, admission and yield of students from diverse backgrounds utilizing data to inform this work to support enhancing the educational benefits of diversity at OHIO. Ensures alignment of efforts between Enrollment Management and the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office for Multicultural Success and Retention, academic and administrative units, and regional campuses and centers, as those efforts relate to diversity initiatives. Develops relationships and serves as a liaison to work collaboratively with academic and administrative offices, alumni, school districts, community-based organizations, and external multicultural constituency groups to help in recruitment, admission, and yield of students from diverse backgrounds including but not limited to students from underrepresented, first generation, low income, and LGBTQIA+ so that Ohio University can enroll an increasingly diverse student body.

Develops and implements a series of trainings that educate Enrollment Management staff and University partners about best practices related to the recruitment, admission, and yield of students from diverse backgrounds. Coordinates with Enrollment Management, DD&I, and academic partners to develop and implement on- and off-campus recruiting and yield programs and recruitment campaigns/messages directed towards diverse students. Collaborates with University and external partners to direct the development of college access and pipeline initiatives for middle and high school students . Identifies strategic partnership opportunities and builds relationships with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) within OHIO’s primary and secondary recruiting markets.

 

Management, Supervision and Training. Recruits, selects, trains, manages and supervises the work of admissions professionals and student employees directly and indirectly as needed for diversity initiatives and associated programming in alignment with other recruitment activities. Trains staff on best practices and external regulations related to the field. Guides staff in the development and attainment of enrollment goals utilizing a territory or constituent management model. Oversees staff member’s territory management plans for effective use of resources and data in determining and implementing overall strategies and practices. Prioritizes the fulfillment of student inquiries through leveraging people and technology resources such as the office’s constituent relationship management tool. Forecasts and monitors staff budgetary expenditures. In consultation with the AVP/Executive Director, oversees the hiring and performance management processes for team members. Provides direction and oversight to student organizations associated with enrollment initiatives.
 

Recruitment, Admission, and Yield: Serves as a member of the Undergraduate Admissions recruitment team. Participates in the day-to-day management of Undergraduate Admissions’ engagement with prospective students through monitoring of timely inquiry fulfillment, and customer service. Represents the University both on- and off-campus to a wide variety of constituents, including prospective students and their families, secondary and postsecondary school personnel, community-based organizations, and other individuals or organizations involved in the college selection process. Counsels and advises constituents on a range of admission and enrollment processes.

The Director maintains thorough knowledge of trends in the field of admissions and advises constituents on the breadth and depth of opportunities available at OHIO. Provides exceptional customer service by attending to the needs of internal and external constituents in a timely and accurate manner.

Conducts thorough, holistic, selective review of an applicant’s candidacy for the purposes of making admission decisions. Determines necessary documentation to support an admission decision and recommends appropriate alternative pathways when admission cannot be offered. Plans, implements, and assesses on- and off-campus recruitment and yield activities as needed.

Other duties as assigned.