The Assistant Director for Educational Outreach is instrumental in promoting CMU Online programs and engaging prospective transfer students, with a primary focus on fostering relationships and outreach activities within K-12 school districts, ISDs, and community colleges. This role is pivotal in achieving departmental enrollment goals through exceptional customer service to students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. Responsibilities include representing CMU Online at transfer events and fairs, meeting with prospective students to showcase program offerings, and conducting pre-transfer evaluations to facilitate seamless credit transfer. Collaborating closely with community college representatives and program leaders, the Assistant Director develops transfer guides and pathways to streamline the transfer process into both credit and non-credit professional development and training opportunities. Additionally, the role contributes to innovative solutions aimed at enhancing transferability within CMU programs, including certifications, badges, and strategies for student re-engagement. Maintaining a thorough understanding of academic program offerings and career outcomes is essential for providing informed guidance to prospective students. The Assistant Director also participates in local and state initiatives aimed at increasing degree attainment and fostering educational partnerships across various educational institutions and stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Three years of related work experience, preferably in an education or office environment.
Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary.
Ability to travel frequently.
Effective organization and attention to detail skills.
Ability to maintain accurate student records.
Demonstrated computer literacy with knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Positive Interpersonal Skills.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with the administration of academic programs in higher education.
Understanding of the philosophy and objectives of extended learning, off-campus instruction, non-traditional programs, and career training and development programs.
Considerable knowledge of student educational policies and procedures including transfer agreements and policies between two- and four-year higher education institutions.
Understanding of transfer credit policy and requirements.
Duties & Responsibilities
Maintains the integrity of Central Michigan University (CMU) and promotes CMU programs to boost enrollment efforts.
Facilitates in-person and virtual student appointments at transfer locations and community colleges across Michigan.
Coordinates events, workshops, and administrative processes at university centers, serving as a liaison between administrators and CMU stakeholders.
Supports students throughout their exploration, application, preparation, and return phases for CMU Online programs.
Utilizes technology platforms such as Slate, Engage, and others to support student enrollment and success.
Collaborates with the transfer-focused Assistant Directors of Admissions and the other Assistant Directors of Educational Outreach to ensure comprehensive recruitment coverage at Michigan community colleges.
Monitors and supports middle school and high school pathway programs, including early college and dual-enrolled students, to ensure successful transitions.
Collaborates with Academic and Professional Programs to promote Fire Up Forward, a dual enrollment initiative.
Collaborates with community partners at both the local and state level, with a focus on promoting college degree attainment.
Assists with new student orientations and webinars as needed.
Provides guidance on transfer requirements, options, and degree programs for CMU Online.
Hosts recruitment sessions for community college stakeholders to promote CMU Online and on-campus programs.
Attends transfer events such as tabling events, transfer fairs, and virtual fairs across Michigan.
Fosters strong internal relationships with Online Student Services, transfer-focused Admissions Assistant Directors, the Director of Community College Relations and Transfer Outreach, Academic Advising, Registrar’s Office, and various other academic departments.
Serves as a mentor and advocate for students, bridging connections among students, faculty, college departments, and community resources.
Compiles transfer data and completes reports as requested.
Participates in training events, advising, recruitment, admissions updates, and program enhancements.
Understands academic program offerings and career outcomes.
Communicates with continuing education and lifelong learning students.
Assists students in work-based learning opportunities and community-based experiences.
Collaborates with college partners to ensure a positive student experience.
Supports students in transition/bridge programs between credit and non-credit options, guiding them towards certifications or badging experiences.
Refers students to appropriate support services as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision Exercised
None.
Message to Applicants
Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards.
You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.
Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.
This position will be based in the Grand Rapids, Michigan. The office suite is in the planning stages of a renovation project with an unknown occupancy date. In the interim, this role will operate under the university’s Flexible Worksite Policy and may be performed through a temporary flexible or remote work arrangement.
Employee Group
Professional & Administrative -Salary
Pay Range
$49,950 - $61,050 per year
Division
Academic Affairs
Department
Innovation & Online
Employment Status
Full-Time
Weekly Work Schedule
Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
About CMU
Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.
We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.
CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.
Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.
CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.
Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.
CMU Leadership Standards
Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.
We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.
Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.
