Admissions Representative and Coordinator for Diversity, Outreach and Recruitment

Bemidji State University (BSU) invites applicants to join our team as the Admissions Representative and Coordinator for Diversity, Outreach and Recruitment.  BSU’s vision is to educate people to lead inspired lives. To accomplish BSU’s vision, the University prioritizes creating a culture in which diversity is embraced and all people are safe, welcome, and validated. Centered between the three largest Tribal nations in Minnesota – Leech Lake, Red Lake, and White Earth – BSU also prioritizes increasing engagement with American Indian communities to become a destination university.

Enrolling more than 5,000 students, BSU offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. BSU’s Shared Fundamental Values include civic engagement and leadership, international and multicultural understanding, belief in the power of the liberal arts, and environmental stewardship. BSU is located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota and occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji.  BSU balances rigorous academia with the opportunity to enjoy a fun, robust, outdoor culture.  The proximity to the lake and the surrounding north woods allows easy access to an assortment of recreation.

The Admissions Representative and Coordinator for Diversity, Outreach and Recruitment has two primary objectives. The first is developing and implementing recruitment strategies for underrepresented students. This position will be making strategic decisions regarding the diversity recruitment efforts related to the University’s strategic enrollment management plan. The second is recruiting and conducting outreach as the primary admissions representative within a territory.  This position represents BSU at college fairs and high school/community college recruitment visits and counsels prospective students and their parents regarding admission requirements, academic programs, financial aid and scholarships, residence halls, student organizations and activities.

Candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a driving history background check.

Responsibilities of the Admissions Representative and Coordinator for Diversity, Outreach and Recruitment include:

• Developing and implementing recruitment strategies for underrepresented students. (40%)
  • Developing and implementing recruitment and communication strategies for underrepresented students that integrate with the overall recruitment plan for the University and guides the recruitment team to help create a brand that encourages diverse prospects to apply and removes bias. Identifying diversity, equity, and inclusion and objectives. Identifying opportunities to assess the impact of recruitment and communication strategies. 
  • Coordinating and partnering with the American Indian Resource Center staff to create, plan and implement recruitment opportunities for American Indian students. Partnering will include both off-campus and on-campus outreach initiatives, as well as communication strategies.
  • Partnering with the Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to identify external trends, internal opportunities, and best practices to enhance opportunities to increase diversity throughout the Admissions funnel. 
• Recruiting and conducting outreach as the primary admissions representative within a territory. (40%) ​​​​​​​
  • Contributing to the achievement of University enrollment and recruitment goals and objectives by representing Bemidji State University at college fairs and high school/community college recruitment visits; advising prospective students and their parents regarding admission requirements, academic programs, financial aid and scholarships, residence halls, student organizations, and activities; assisting with the development of marketing materials used for admissions and recruitment; responding to written, phone, email, and in-person inquiries; meeting with visiting students and parents; making formal presentations and planning activities and events, both on and off-campus, for prospective students/families and high school counselors. 
  • Developing and implementing recruitment and communication strategies designed to increase the number of students enrolling from an assigned territory, planning and implementing successful recruitment events and high school visits, analyzing the recruitment plan for the assigned territory, and exercising fiscal responsibility in using budget resources related to travel expenses. 
  • Developing project timelines and utilizing customer relationship management (CRM) software to track outcomes of assigned programs of interest and events, compiling reports based on established targets for the assigned recruitment territory and key programs of interest and analyzing institutional recruitment data as well as data from testing services to target recruitment efforts for successful enrollment outcomes. 
• Supporting Admissions recruitment events and coordinating/partnering with campus partners. (10%) ​​​​​​​
  • Coordinating/supporting on and off campus special events: Campus Preview Days, Academic Open House, Academic Advising and Registration, Saturday and Summer Events, tele-counseling campaigns, and other special events.  
  • Serving as the point of contact for the Admissions office within a variety of campus committees. Participating in regular staff meetings with the Office of Admissions. Participating in work group discussions for mapping business processes and measuring improvement. Actively developing partnerships and participating in work groups. Participating in decision making process for process improvement. Contributing to annual Admissions planning and goal setting: enrollment review/analysis, effectiveness.  
  • Remaining competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Director of Admissions. 
  • Identifying diversity, equity, and inclusion training opportunities for the Admissions team. 
• Other duties as assigned. (10%)

Minimum qualifications for this position include:

• Master’s Degree plus one year of professional experience OR Bachelor’s degree plus two years of professional experience OR equivalent combination of post-secondary training, education, and/or professional experience. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience recruiting and supporting underrepresented populations.
• Admissions and/or student affairs experience while pursuing bachelor’s degree or post-bachelor’s degree.
• Experience with cultivating and maintaining collaborative relationships.
• Experience analyzing data and using results to inform/create strategy.

Apply online:    https://bemidjistate.peopleadmin.com/

Inquiries about the position:

Carola Thorson, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Phone: (218) 755-2063

Email: carola.thorson@bemidjistate.edu

If you have general questions about this posting or submitting an application, contact Melanie Pakonen at melanie.pakonen@bemidjistate.edu​​​​​​​

UNIVERSITY / COMMUNITY

WHY BEMIDJI:

The greater Bemidji community has a population of 25,000 and serves as a regional center for education, commerce, recreation, health care, and the arts.

In this Northwoods setting, students, staff and faculty have a variety of activities at their fingertips. Possessing all the charm and character of a college town, Bemidji remains a tight-knit community of good neighbors and engaged citizens who always come out to cheer for the Bemidji State Beavers. While the city of Bemidji — named after the Ojibwe Chief Shaynowishkung (nicknamed Bemidji) — is home to a diverse population of more than 15,000 people, it serves a regional population of more than 100,000.

Located between three American Indian reservations – Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth, students at Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College have the opportunity to experience a dynamic local culture and history. Bemidji also sits at the center of the legends of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. The famous statues of Paul and Babe greet students as they drive in from the south along Lake Bemidji.

Though quaint and historic, the city offers the urban conveniences upon which college students rely. Bemidji State and Northwest Tech are both conveniently located minutes away from affordable restaurants, cozy coffee shops, grocery stores, city parks and more. Small, locally owned shops and art sculptures line the streets of downtown Bemidji, while national chains can be found in and around the Bemidji area, including an uptown selection of department stores and restaurants.

The thriving downtown community presents ample opportunities for engagement off-campus. Among other things, there are fine-dining restaurants, cafes, and a natural foods co-op in downtown Bemidji. The historic Paul Bunyan Playhouse has a calendar of classic shows; restaurants and lounges offer weekly live music performances; the First Friday Art Walk provides a tour of new monthly art exhibits; and annual events such as the Loop the Lake Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Blue Ox Marathon, Bemidji Winterfest, and The Minnesota Finlandia bring the community together.

For those who love the outdoors, there are wooded, multi-use trail systems within minutes of campus and community parks with walking trails, playgrounds and a skate park. Lake Bemidji State Park and its miles of navigable trails is located directly across the lake from BSU, and the Buena Vista Ski Area — just 12 miles north of campus — offers downhill skiing and campus-sponsored student transportation in the winter months. Further, the Mississippi River Headwaters is a mere 45 minutes from Bemidji.

For further information, visit our website at: http://www.bemidjistate.edu

Review a "special report on how this former lumber town has rebuilt itself as a high-speed, regional center of enterprise" at Bemidji 2.0

Other Resources:

• Visit Bemidji – https://www.visitbemidji.com/
• 218 Relocate / Greater Bemidji – https://www.218relocate.com/
• Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce – https://www.bemidji.org/ 
• Explore Minnesota – https://www.exploreminnesota.com/article/top-things-to-do-bemidji

Statement of Notice

Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College prohibit discrimination and sexual violence of any kind. Contact the Center for Civil Rights Investigation Office if you have concerns regarding discrimination and/or sexual violence. Per Minnesota State System Procedure 1B.3.1, all universities and colleges must provide contact information of their Title IX Coordinator.

Steven D. Parker, Campus Diversity Officer & Title IX Coordinator

Email: TitleIX@bemidjistate.edu

Phone: (218) 755-4121

1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Deputy Hall, Room 211, Bemidji, MN 56601