Director of Admissions

The UWC-USA program a two-year experience that integrates our Academic Co-curricular and Residential curricula prepares students to serve as catalysts for greater unity peace and sustainability in the world. We support students in the practice of our mission during their two years on campus and challenge them to live our mission for a lifetime.

The Director of Admission serves as the senior enrollment officer for UWC-USA bringing in a quality class of deserving students while managing the budget demands of admissions. Close collaboration with the President Associate Head for Finance and Operations and Controller are required. The Director brings in annually a highly diverse class of 100-125 students including 25 U.S. Davis Scholars scholarship students sourced from NCs across the globe and a set number of GSP and other full-pay students determined in light of diversity and budgetary considerations as well as UWC International guidelines.

Recruitment occurs through a process involving the U.S. national committee national committees abroad and the UWC International Office to achieve enrollment goals making strong relationships and stewardship skills key to the role. The Director is responsible for the oversight and management of the U.S. national committee leading the design and implementation of recruitment and marketing strategies to achieve the goals for that program. The Director is the face of UWC for all admissions efforts deploying the President and other SLT members as necessary to fulfill the schools recruiting objectives. The Director is often the first interaction that prospective families have with UWC-USA making their role critical for the schools broader engagement with external audiences. As such the role is a central lynchpin to the successful operation of UWC-USA.

• Leadership

• Supervises mentors and motivates professional volunteer support and student staff to meet and exceed enrollment and budget goals
• Leads as school liaison to the admissions function of the UWC International Office U.S. national committee and global national committees
• Serves as UWC-USAs Primary Designated School Official to Homeland Security; responsible for international student visas and U.S. government regulations compliance
• Serves on the schools Educational Leadership Team providing perspective and guidance on decisions that affect external (national committees families) as well as internal (faculty students) constituencies
• All UWC-USA employees are expected to provide varying levels of leadership in order to support the UWC mission. Examples include but are not limited to:
• Actively participating in and contributing to committee or task force assignments campus-wide events or initiatives strategic planning efforts experiential education program expeditions and dormitory dining hall and/or physical plant initiatives.
• Initiating strategic discussions and sharing thoughtful and innovative ideas with co-workers for carrying out the UWC mission and successfully completing day to day work assignments.
• Demonstrating a growth mindset by believing and acknowledging that intelligence skills learning and creativity can all grow with time and experience.

• Administration

• Manages admissions program to maintain deliberate diversity (gender socio-economic national racial ethnic religious) and bring students who exhibit promise and potential to fulfill the UWC mission and programming
• Develops and upholds admissions policy and process both in compliance with the International Offices guidance and USA campus needs
• Plans develops implements markets and evaluates recruitment efforts for prospective students and parents
• Coordinates the admissions and funding offers in collaboration with the president and SLT
• Collaborates with Dean of Student Life and Dean of Teaching and Learning on admissions decisions to ensure that all nominated students are a good fit for UWC-USA
• Renders final decisions on nominations from national committees
• Directs the giving of notice as to acceptance or non-acceptance
• Oversees the financial needs assessment of Davis Scholarship families in order to determine placement at various campuses matches to scholarship offers and contributions to a UWC education
• Reviews appeals for additional financial support as families circumstances shift leading the financial aid committee to approve or deny recommended increases to scholarships
• Other related duties as needed
• Manages admissions program with all goals stated above in balance with budgetary goals as set by the Strategic Leadership Team and Board using the endowment and other available resources in strategic ways. As such the position requires strong quantitative capabilities.
• Prepares and maintains data regarding inquiries enrollment geographical distribution and attrition of students
• Reports to the President SLT school community and board on all matters related to admissions and student funding

• Management

• Supervises admissions team
• Manages student and other contract employees and volunteers engaged in admissions efforts

• Applicant Experience

• Provides welcoming services (tours customized meetings) to potential students and families who wish to learn more about the campus
• Provides assistance to prospective students and families as well as agencies interested in our admissions program
• Informs and participates in student orientation

• Outreach and Development

• Develops deep and collaborative relationships with internal constituents and external partners
• Expands market outreach and diversifies applicant pool ensuring steady enrollment goals and outstanding academic standards
• Travels to UWC International meetings and possibly to recruitment events around the world
• Prepares and distributes admissions marketing materials in collaboration with the Advancement Communications and Marketing Department

• Collaboration

• Works with all worldwide selection committees and UWC International Office negotiating offers for students
• Works with the Advancement Business Registrar and Student Life Offices to assure seamless transition for newly admitted students
• Works closely with SLT Education Leadership Team and faculty in order to keep the admissions office apprised of current course offerings average IB results changes in timetable and other operational and procedural shifts in the school that affect student experience and must be communicated to families and national committees.
• Communicates the complexities of each incoming class to help faculty and staff best prepare for educating within this type of environment

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Proactive visionary leader with the willingness to explore best practices for the Admissions Office and the ability to navigate competing demands in a complex organization
• High level of initiative and motivation to achieve enrollment and budget goals
• Ability to work independently exercising judgment that has significant impact on the school
• Excels at interpersonal written and oral communications and teamwork skills
• Demonstrates excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize work
• Understanding of enrollment management admissions trends and best practices among secondary boarding schools and scholarship programs domestically and internationally
• Ability to work individually and collectively with students and parents
• Exceptional interpersonal skills including timely and clear electronic communication
• Technical skills pertaining to the application and financial aid process
• Advanced facility with Google Workspace especially GoogleSheets
• Attendance at Faculty Meetings. Available for periodic SLT meetings and Board of Trustees Meetings as required
• Budgeting and management

Required License- Valid NM Drivers License and must be insurable by the schools insurance carrier.

Required Experience-

• At least 5 years experience in higher or secondary education.
• At least 3 years experience in admissions.

Required Education-Bachelors Degree

Desired Qualifications-

• Masters Degree
• Knowledge of best practices in higher education or boarding school admissions (both in the U.S. and elsewhere)
• Knowledge of the UWC movement and understanding of/commitment to achieving UWC-USAs mission and goals

Required Experience:

Director