Central Washington University is recruiting a Transfer Outreach and Onboarding Counselor to join our Transfer Center team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they assist and support transfer students as they consider, apply to, and then enroll at the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $48,000 - $53,000 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.
Who we are:
We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.
Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.
Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.
Tour our campus in Ellensburg here.
Department Overview:
The Transfer Center helps students make a seamless transition from their previous institution(s) to CWU by providing pre-admission advising, transition support, and assistance stablishing connections to the campus community and its many resources. Our transfer outreach & onboarding counselors work primarily with prospective and newly admitted students, while our peer ambassadors work providing programming, events, and casual hang-out space for transfer students once they enroll at CWU.
What we offer:
Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.
The Role:
Under the leadership and guidance of the Director of the Transfer Center, the Transfer Outreach and Onboarding Counselor will provide pre-admission advice and transition onboarding for prospective and incoming transfer students with the goal of facilitating a successful student transfer to CWU and connecting them to the most appropriate resources and support services. Pre-admission advice will include degree planning support, providing basic information on general education requirements, transferring various associate degrees, and referrals to academic program or exploratory resources. Work includes outreach to community colleges and plays a vital role in preparing students for future success at CWU. In partnership with key constituents across campus and the director of the Transfer Center, the Transfer Counselor will help the university increase the number of incoming transfer students, increase retention and degree completion rates, and improve time-to-degree. All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment.
Pre-Admission Recruitment and Advising:
- In partnership with community colleges, establish a consistent cycle to meet with prospective students at the community college.
- Advise prospective and onboard incoming transfer students referring them to appropriate services (e.g., major advisor). Duties are often conducted while visiting community colleges; the incumbent must exercise independent decision making and excellent judgment.
- Assist prospective students with application to CWU and awarding application fee waivers where appropriate.
- Advise prospective and incoming transfer students about general education and pre-major or major requirements.
- Provide prospective and incoming transfer students with basic information about financial aid, scholarships, and paying for college.
- Advise and help transfer students to make informed academic decisions.
- Explain course articulation and the transfer credit evaluation process to prospective transfer students and recommend appropriate academic course loads and course selections.
- Serve as the primary contact for Ellensburg and online students admitted to the Early Transfer Admission Plus program; publish quarterly newsletter for these students; and coordinate with Career Services and Financial Wellness offices on services provided for them.
- Analyze and interpret student data, transcripts, and placement results, as well as university policy and procedures.
- Design and deliver presentations to various audiences including community college counselors, prospective students, parents, faculty, and professional staff.
- Build relationships with community college counselors and faculty to provide regular updates and a point of contact for transfer questions.
- Help prospective transfer students understand the transferability of various associate degrees from Washington and neighboring states.
Liaison/Communications:
- Establishes and maintains priority relationships across the university community for all issues related to transfer students' preparation and transition to CWU.
- Helps the director of Transfer Center implement a comprehensive communication plan to reach across all modalities and all informational purposes to address pre-admission, transition, and progression goals for transferring students.
- Works in collaboration with the Transfer Center director, relevant faculty and other internal and external partners, to develop, implement, and maintain transfer outreach materials, to include Transfer MAPs, website promotional features, video testimonials, print materials, outreach programming, and other forms of outreach to potential and incoming transfer students.
- Engages with prospective and newly admitted transfer students through consistent, timely, and effective communications utilizing multiple modalities.
- Plan and implement outreach communication to stakeholders at partnering 2-year schools.
Transition (Onboarding) Services:
- In collaboration with Orientations and Transitions Programs, implement effective transfer student orientations to support transfer students' successful transition into the university. Includes assisting with orientations at all CWU locations.
- Develop strong working relationships with academic departments, programs, faculty, and staff across CWU including collaboration with eastern and western Washington Center staff.
- Gain familiarity with university services and resources in order provide transfer students with critical information and referrals for successful onboarding to CWU.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Salary : This position has a minimum annual salary of $45,303 and maximum annual salary of $63,424. The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $48,000 - $53,000. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.
Schedule/Appointment : Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)
Working Conditions : Work is performed in an office and various other locations throughout campus and the state, depending on the function being performed. Travel, evening, and weekend work will be required for this position. Travel to community colleges and CWU Centers will occur on a regular basis.
Benefits : CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave .
An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: .