St. Olaf College seeks applications and nominations for the position of Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Multicultural Recruitment. Reporting to the Dean of Admissions, the Associate Dean is a senior-level position in the enrollment operation, created as part of a divisional reorganization and following the enrollment of the most diverse class in the College’s history in Fall 2008. The Associate Dean will lead all initiatives aimed at increasing the enrollment of students from under-represented racial and economic groups. He or she will also fulfill the full range of recruitment and selection activities and manage all aspects of the enrollment division’s diversity plan, including coordinating student outreach, campus programming and recruitment travel related to the college’s diversity goals.
The Position: The Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Multicultural Recruitment is part of the team responsible for all activities related to the active recruitment, admission and enrollment of new students to St. Olaf. Responsibilities include public speaking, visiting high schools and college fairs/programs, application review, conducting on and off campus interviews, hosting on and off campus events, and special projects as assigned. This position has particular responsibility for planning and leading an active multicultural recruitment and enrollment effort, and as such, will advance and coordinate the involvement of other Admissions and Financial Aid office personnel, current students, faculty, staff and alumni in support of the college’s goal to enhance the diversity of the student body. In addition, the Associate Dean will:
-
Provide leadership in developing and implementing a diversity recruitment plan
-
Cultivate and maintain relationships with access-oriented agencies and related external organizations
-
Manage the operating budget for diversity recruitment
-
Serve on the leadership group in the Enrollment division to advise the Vice President and Dean of Enrollment on admission, financial aid and enrollment management philosophy, policies and procedures.
-
Represent St. Olaf College at visits to high schools and college fairs, conducting group presentations at events on and off campus, and interview prospective candidates for admission
-
Generate, review and evaluate applications for admission
-
Conduct financial aid counseling and advising
-
Lead and collaborate with on-campus personnel in the development and execution of on-campus events and projects.
-
Work with student and alumni volunteers
-
Supervise student workers
-
An understanding of admissions and financial aid processes and philosophy
-
Knowledge, understanding and experience working with students and families from racial and economic groups underrepresented in higher education
-
Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills
-
Strong sense of initiative and self-direction.
-
An ability to interact positively with students, parents and alumni in a professional manner
-
A commitment to quality teamwork
-
A high level of motivation
-
A positive attitude, sense of humor, service orientation
-
An awareness of the needs and concerns of a selective, church-related institution
-
The ability to lead by example, especially in planning, organizing and implementing multiple projects and seeing projects through to successful conclusion.
-
The ability to communicate the value of a residential, liberal arts education.
-
An ability to travel regionally and nationally during peak recruitment times (typically October, November, March and April)
The College: Founded in 1874 by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants, St. Olaf is a nationally ranked liberal arts college with 3,000 students representing 43 states and 19 foreign countries. The student-faculty ratio of 12.5:1 encourages individual learning and teaching, while the residential nature of the 300-acre campus helps students become part of an enduring community that takes pride in its traditions and innovations. St. Olaf is set on a hilltop overlooking historic Northfield, Minnesota, a charming, two-college town just 35 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
In addition to world-class programs in music and mathematics, St. Olaf is recognized for its innovative approaches to undergraduate science education, its long-standing engagement in global education and a commitment to environmental sustainability. The college also takes pride in its record of academic excellence. Since 1995 St. Olaf has produced five Rhodes scholars, including two recipients in 2007; 26 Goldwater Scholars; and 60 Fulbright fellows. St. Olaf ranks 8th overall among baccalaureate colleges in the number of graduates who go on to earn doctoral degrees.
St. Olaf earned top 10 rankings in the following fields: mathematics and statistics (1st); education and religion and theology (2nd); art and music and physical sciences (3rd); chemistry, foreign language, and social service professions (4th); engineering and medical sciences (5th); life sciences (6th); biological science and physics (8th). The college is committed to helping students become responsible and knowledgeable citizens of the world. More than two-thirds of St. Olaf students study off campus during part of their four years of study, either domestically or abroad. St. Olaf also strives to be an inclusive community that welcomes people of differing backgrounds and beliefs. As a college of the church, conversations about faith are part of campus life. The college intends that its graduates combine academic excellence and theological literacy with a commitment to lifelong learning. For more information about St. Olaf College, visit www.stolaf.edu.
To Apply: Lahti Search Consultants is assisting St. Olaf College with this search. Resumes will be reviewed beginning in January 2009. Anticipated start date is Spring or Summer 2009. All inquiries and communication regarding this position will remain confidential. Interested candidates should submit a resume and letter of interest by email to:
Terry Lahti
Lahti Search Consultants
4360 France Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55410
terry@lahtisearch.com
814.282.3093
www.lahtisearch.com
A liberal arts college affiliated with the Lutheran Church (ELCA), St. Olaf College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity in its students, faculty and staff. The college is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our community through their teaching, research, and/or service.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Desiree Keenan as Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Multicultural Recruitment at St. Olaf College (MN). Desiree’s experience in college/university admissions at the University of Minnesota includes working with their National Merit Scholarship program and the recruitment and selection of students into the University Honors Program. Desiree has worked in the area of recruitment of, and outreach to, the broadest range of students; she has managed a territory, supervised student workers, and planned events in support of the University’s ambitious enrollment goals.
Desiree has also been active with the Minnesota Association of College Admission Counseling and also the National Association of College Admission Counseling. She brings a unique combination of experience, energy, perspective and outlook to the St.Olaf admissions staff. Desiree will begin her work with St. Olaf on June 1, 2009.