"Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions & Advising - Brooks School of Public Policy"

About the Brooks School of Public Policy

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy harnesses the University's broad disciplinary excellence in public policy, along with its innovative teaching, research, and engagement programs, to solve pressing global challenges. The school's prestigious faculty apply an interdisciplinary and problem-oriented focus to wide-ranging public policy issues as they explore how government choices intersect with people's lives. The school's initial areas of focus are in data science and technology policy; environmental and sustainability policy; health policy; human security; inequality and social policy; the politics and economics of development; and race, racism, and public policy.

The Opportunity

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy is seeking a dynamic, student-centered, and strategic leader to serve as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Advising. This pivotal role offers the chance to shape the future of the Brooks School's undergraduate experience by designing and advancing an integrated approach to student recruitment, admissions, and advising. The Associate Director will champion innovative strategies to attract, engage, and support a diverse student body, foster meaningful connections between students and the School, and ensure that every student has the resources and guidance they need to thrive academically and personally.

As a key member of the Student Services leadership team, the Associate Director will collaborate closely with colleagues across the School and University to build a cohesive and supportive ecosystem that elevates the undergraduate experience. This is an exciting opportunity for a mission-driven professional to leave a lasting impact on the growth, culture, and success of the Brooks School's undergraduate programs while advancing Cornell's broader commitment to excellence, inclusion, and student success.

Position Overview

The Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Advising for the Brooks School of Public Policy will lead and oversee outreach to and advising of prospective undergraduate students and their families/supporters on matters of admission, and with their team will support current students with academic advising services and resources. This role will:

• Develop and deliver the strategic vision for undergraduate admissions and advising for the Brooks School.
• Oversee a holistic approach to advising and student support for all Brooks undergraduates, including the design and delivery of orientation and other supportive student programming.
• Manage the Undergraduate Admissions and Advising team to communicate with prospective and current students and their families/supporters.
• Oversee academic review of undergraduate students and respond to students of concern in collaboration with campus colleagues.
• Partner with peers in Brooks Student Services including registrar, career management, and masters programs to enhance the Brooks student experience and student outcomes.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position that is based in Ithaca, NY. This position follows a 4:1 campus-to-home hybrid work schedule. This hybrid work arrangement is subject to change at any time.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Enrollment representatives within Cornell's colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate and partner with the Enrollment Division to accomplish the University's enrollment goals.

Position Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Recruitment, Admissions & Yielding 50%

• In coordination with the Brooks School Assistant Dean for Enrollment and Student Services and Undergraduate Admissions Office, provide leadership across the life cycle (recruitment, selection and yield) of the undergraduate admission process, including long-term planning and strategy development for which will result in operations and processes that identify and recruit competitive and compelling students to the Brooks School, while giving consideration to the Brooks School and university priorities.
• Develop and implement successful undergraduate marketing and recruitment plans and yield strategies that meet School priorities. Assist in developing long-range planning and admission strategies and operations to identify and recruit high-quality candidates.
• Oversee and participate in information sessions, student visits, strategic recruitment travel (in collaboration with the Undergraduate Admissions Office), hosted events, high school/CBO/community college and other pertinent partnerships. Responsible for the effectiveness of recruitment and yield activities.
• Work collaboratively with the Brooks School Student and Career Services teams (admissions, advising, career, registrar) to transition newly enrolling undergraduate students seamlessly and efficiently to Cornell's Brooks School.
• In coordination with the Brooks School Assistant Dean for Enrollment and Student Services, Office of the Vice Provost for Enrollment and Undergraduate Admissions Office, partner to analyze data and develop realistic Brooks School-specific undergraduate admissions/enrollment goals to align college and university recruitment and admissions policies and practices.
• Represent the Brooks School and advocate for its interests in undergraduate admissions and enrollment functions across campus by serving on university task forces and working groups relating to undergraduate admissions and recruitment (e.g., transfer working group, admissions communications group, prospective students' recruitment group, etc.)

Academic Advising, Student Support, and Programming 20%

• Provide guidance to undergraduate team and/or collaborate with staff and faculty from across the University to provide support and academic advising for complicated/sensitive situations involving students in distress or crisis. Situations may require communicating with parents.
• Develop and implement new, creative advising services that address the dynamic needs of students.
• Oversee team and meet one-on-one as well as in group settings with students to provide advice and counsel on curriculum-specific matters, major exploration issues, affiliation, School and University policy and procedure, and non-academic factors affecting academic performance; meet with students to discuss long-range academic plans and career goals.
• Provide oversight of robust summer onboarding and fall orientation new student matriculation process for undergraduate students including virtual sessions, canvas course, and required individualized advising.
• Review students' academic records, initiate contact with these students, provide follow-up advising interactions.
• Serve as lead and escalation point for advising team and faculty in supporting students in crisis situations within the Brooks community. This can include managing complex and sensitive information and collaborating with discretion.
• Communicate, coordinate and collaborate as needed with Cornell Health, CAPS, Crisis Managers, Brooks Assistant Dean of Enrollment and Student Services, Dean of Students, VP for Student Affairs, Residential Programs, CU Police, Judicial Affairs, faculty, staff and families

Undergraduate Admissions and Advising Leadership & Management 15%

• Design and maintain team set-up/organization that effectively coordinates work, supports students, and implements school and university policies
• Lead role on undergraduate admissions- recruitment through matriculation including for new DC Start program
• Supervise undergraduate team, including admissions readers.
• Manage budget & school funding for students

Strategic Analysis & Reporting 10%

• Demonstrate understanding and operate in compliance with federal, state and university data privacy and security regulations, policies, and best practices relating to the access and use of student records.
• Analyze and contextualize trends in the local and broader undergraduate admissions communities, Brooks applicant pool and academic major enrollment, and enrollment priorities for the School.
• Analyze and contextualize trends in the local and broader undergraduate advising function (i.e. student meetings, academic concerns, etc.).
• Prepare and present related reports to the Brooks Dean, Associate Deans, Directors of Undergraduate Studies, and colleagues in the Office of Admissions, Student Services, and Career Management annually.
• Maintain integrated student information systems to enable an analytical and data driven approach to student services.

Other position-related responsibilities 5%

• Participate in projects or other duties as assigned with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification.
• Completion of any university required compliance trainings.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience working with undergraduate students. Excellent communication skills: writing (across multiple platforms), speaking (including presentations). Ability to communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, prospective undergraduate applicants, faculty, alumni, administration.
• Aptitude for communications-related technology including CRM, social media, virtual presentation software, etc. Also, strong Excel skills, word processing, databases.
• Analytical thinker; problem solver. Sound judgement, confidentiality, and discretion.
• Collaborative, team oriented.
• Strong interpersonal skills and service orientation.
• High energy, initiative, enthusiasm. Works independently.
• Organized; ability to plan and work per a schedule/calendar, handle multiple tasks, and complete tasks within time constraints.
• Ability to travel occasionally

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.