Assistant Dean, Admissions / Fin Aid

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP) seeks a highly qualified enrollment professional to serve as Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Admissions and Outreach, the successful candidate will provide leadership, strategic direction, management, and oversight for all recruitment, admissions, and financial aid activities for the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP). The Assistant Dean is responsible for developing and implementing a sophisticated strategic enrollment management plan that meets targeted enrollment goals and attracts an exemplary, diverse study body that enhances the reputation of the School. Experienced and data-driven, the Assistant Dean will work closely with the Dean and the Associate Dean of Admissions and Outreach, faculty program directors, and School leadership to establish admissions priorities and to develop processes to achieve established goals.

In addition, the Assistant Dean will assess competitive market conditions, develop strategic recruiting plans, and collaborate with the Office of Communications and Events, Office of Student Affairs, and the Development Office to develop strategic multi-channel communications plans while playing a role in developing program-specific pipelines. The Assistant Dean will perform key enrollment activities such as offering compelling presentations about GSAPP and its academic programs to prospective students and ensuring the highest yield of qualified candidates overall and about specific academic programs. Both compliance and strategic skills in financial aid will be required, as the Assistant Dean will need to understand and adhere to School and Federal Regulations for proper disbursement of financial aid funds, liaise with the University's Central Financial Aid Office, and determine and oversee the packaging and disbursement of scholarship and fellowship funds.

Perform other related duties, assignments, and / or special projects as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Develop an overall strategic enrollment and annual tactical business plan to present to the Dean, Associate Dean of Admissions & Outreach, and the various audiences to achieve enrollment goals.
• Ensure interaction and collaboration with senior leadership, faculty, and administrative units within the School to review and analyze student enrollment and success data to shape strategic direction.
• Oversee recruitment, management, and professional development of Admissions and Financial Aid Office team members. Regularly re-evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of GSAPP's recruitment, admission, and financial aid programs to ensure alignment with the School's strategic goals.
• Identifies and helps implement relevant recommendations from the Provost Office's "Guide to Equity-Based Graduate Admissions," including Implicit Bias Workshops, the development of pipeline programs, and other strategies.
• Supports the transition of admitted students to matriculate status and serves as a point of contact addressing the needs of historically underrepresented students throughout their time at the School.
• Ensure the effective use of the School's digital systems, such as Slate, Student Information System (SIS), PowerFaids, Canvas, and others; create forecasting and projection models for use in enrollment and budget planning. Use data-driven models data mining and predictive models to increase the efficacy and efficiency of recruitment and retention strategies and to evaluate the performance of recruitment and yield activities. To remain in sync with trends, survey, and report on internal stakeholders (current students, faculty, staff, etc.) and the external market (prospective students, alumni, employers, etc.).
• Provide regular reports and efficacy metrics to the Dean and senior stakeholders. Work collaboratively with key stakeholders throughout the School to set and evaluate admissions and financial aid policies and programs.
• Oversee all aspects of financial aid, including knowledge of federal regulations for loan disbursement, liaising with the Central Financial Aid Office, overseeing compliance and audits, and managing prospective and current student packaging.
• Create and implement strategies for intentionally recruiting special populations, such as under-represented minorities, international applicants, and veterans.
• Establish a sustainable, evidence-based financial aid model that utilizes institutional aid to recruit a high-quality and diverse student body.
• In collaboration with the Office of Communications, mobilize a cogent message that leverages GSAPP's unique position within the architecture and design fields and the distinctive value proposition for prospective students; creatively develop and utilize existing and emerging technologies to communicate and build relationships with students and colleagues; ensure that the School's vision is creatively represented on the admissions and financial aid website and in other digital and social media.
• Serve as an ambassador for GSAPP in communicating its message to prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, staff, potential graduate student employers, national / professional associations, and other external constituents. The Assistant Dean will travel with senior leadership to increase visibility and advance recruitment efforts.
• Liaison with the Development Office to raise gifts for endowed scholarships to strengthen GSAPP's prospective student pipeline. Collaborate with the Office of Student Affairs to enhance student success.
• Perform other duties and / or special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required, and an advanced degree is desirable, with 5-7 years of experience required, preferably in undergraduate or graduate school admissions.
• A proven track record of achieving enrollment objectives in a higher education setting. Demonstrated commitment to developing an inclusive and diverse student population. Demonstrated data analytic experience to inform strategic and tactical plans for enrollment management.
• Superior presentation skills, including the ability to engage effectively with academic leaders, faculty, senior administrators, senior executives, alumni, donors, prospects, and volunteers, together with the ability to make the appropriate connections among members of these groups and to nurture strong and long-lasting individual and institutional relationships. A communication style that is open, cordial, and compelling.
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity with the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and alumni from diverse backgrounds; cultural competency for issues such as sexual, racial, cultural, and gender identity.
• Excellent listening skills, taking feedback, and incorporating constructive criticism are critical to success.
• Mature judgment in handling sensitive and confidential information.

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Preferred Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience required, preferably in undergraduate or graduate school admissions.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.