Director - Admissions

About Us

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgias Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary

Valdosta State University (VSU) is seeking an innovative, dynamic, and data-driven leader to serve as our next Director of Admissions. This is a transformational opportunity to join a vibrant university of 10,000 students with bold ambitions to grow enrollment through the implementation of a comprehensive Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan.

Located in South Georgia, VSU is a regional public university known for its welcoming campus culture, strong academic programs, and commitment to student success. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a passion for student recruitment and a drive to succeed¿someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, embraces change, and leads with vision and integrity.

The Director of Admissions will play a key role in shaping the future of undergraduate enrollment at VSU, overseeing the recruitment and admission of a diverse population of students including traditional first-year students, transfers, non-traditional learners, fully online students, and dual enrollment participants. As a test-optional institution, VSU offers streamlined admission for students who meet academic GPA requirements and provides in-state tuition to students from contiguous states, making college more accessible to a broader range of learners.

The successful candidate will bring creativity, leadership, and enthusiasm to an admissions team poised for growth and innovation. If you are excited about the opportunity to make a lasting impact at a student-centered institution with strong community ties and a clear vision for the future¿VSU invites you to apply.

This position provides direction and management oversight to one or more departments or units. Plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities.

Responsibilities

Typical Allocation of Duties:

Accomplish department/unit objectives - 25%

Direct the human, financial, and other resources needed to accomplish objectives of the department or unit.

Monitor and establish processes - 20%

Monitor and establish processes to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with University and department goals.

Direct operations - 20%

Direct the operations of the department or unit.

Area Representative - 15%

Represent the department or unit to internal and external groups and individuals.

Manage budget - 10%

Manage the department/unit budget.

Compliance - 10%

Ensure commitment to and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards.

Supervisor Expectations:

• Lead with Vision and Purpose - Provide strategic leadership in shaping and implementing a comprehensive recruitment plan that aligns with university enrollment goals, fostering innovation and creativity in all aspects of the admissions process.
• Coach and Develop Talent - Supervise, mentor, and train a diverse team of admissions professionals by setting clear expectations, supporting professional development, conducting performance evaluations, and fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Drive Data-Informed Decision Making - Utilize data analytics and enrollment trends to assess the effectiveness of recruitment strategies, campus visit programs, virtual events, and yield initiatives, adjusting tactics to optimize performance and achieve enrollment targets.
• Enhance Recruitment and Outreach Strategies - Oversee the implementation of recruitment efforts for first-year, transfer, online, dual enrollment, and special student populations, ensuring equitable access and a differentiated experience for all prospective students and their families.
• Collaborate Across Campus - Build strong, intentional partnerships with academic departments, athletics, financial aid, marketing, student services, and other internal stakeholders to support student enrollment and success.
• Ensure Operational Excellence - Maintain a high standard of operational integrity in all admissions processes, including application review, communication flow, and compliance with state, University System of Georgia, and institutional policies.
• Model Student-Centered Excellence - Set and enforce a culture of exceptional Student-Centered excellence in all communications and interactions with prospective students, parents, school counselors, and community partners.
• Promote Innovation and Continuous Improvement - Encourage a mindset of ongoing improvement through the adoption of new technologies, strategic initiatives, and best practices in recruitment and enrollment management.
• Foster Accountability and Transparency - Establish clear goals and expectations for the admissions team, regularly monitor progress, communicate outcomes with transparency, and hold staff accountable for achieving individual and departmental objectives.
• Manage Resources Effectively - Oversee budgetary responsibilities for recruitment and admissions initiatives, ensuring efficient use of resources to maximize impact while supporting staff and program needs.

Required Qualifications

Required Experience

Bachelors degree in a specified field and five (5) years of related work experience in a related field is required. Terminal degree and/or professional licensure, certification, and/or designation may be required in some areas.

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide:

• professional references with current contact information
• documentation of academic credentials
• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
• view social media outlets, and
• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
• reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check
• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• pre-employment drug testing
• confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation

• VSUs Annual Compliance Training:

• USG Ethics Policy

• Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy

• Drug Free Workplace

• Sexual Misconduct and Title IX

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

• Motor Vehicle Policy

• Workers Compensation (new hires)

• Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)

• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)

• Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Workers Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

• Position of Trust + Credit

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.

Clery Disclosure

The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires institutions of higher education to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR). The ASFSR includes crime statistics for the three previous calendar years of reported crimes that occurred on campus; in or on certain non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our institution; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and statistics. The ASFSR is published annually by October 1 and is available online at: https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/police/documents/2025-asfr-final-draft-aa.docx.pdf. You may request a paper copy of the report by emailing openrecords@valdosta.edu.