Transfer and Running Start Pathways Advisor [Admissions Counselor 3 - Regional Seattle]

Western Washington University•Seattle, WA

10d•$58,727 - $67,537•Remote

About The Position

The Transfer and Running Start Pathways Advisor serves as Western’s primary representative to partner community colleges throughout the greater Seattle–Olympia region. Reporting to the Director of Transfer Admissions and Operations, this position manages advising, outreach, and recruitment efforts that support community college students transitioning to Western and promotes pathways for transfer and first-year Running Start students. The advisor manages Western’s presence at partner institutions, building collaborative relationships with community college advisors and staff while delivering advising and recruitment services that support enrollment. This role contributes to the development and implementation of Western’s transfer recruitment strategy by identifying opportunities to strengthen partnerships, expand transfer pipelines, and improve student access and preparation. This position requires a self-directed professional who can manage an external recruitment territory independently while coordinating closely with colleagues within and beyond the Office of Admissions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (earned by position’s start date)
Excellent interpersonal skills that include professional communication, relationship building, and the ability to clearly and concisely present information
Experience working effectively with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including excellent presentation abilities
Demonstrated success clearly and consistently reporting on programs, tasks and initiatives and following up with internal and external constituents in a timely manner
Proficiency with technology and willingness to learn new systems
Ability and willingness to travel independently throughout the assigned territory

Nice To Haves

Professional experience in admissions recruitment, advising, or related work in higher education
Experience working with community colleges or transfer student populations
Master’s degree in a related field
Fluency in one or more languages other than English

Responsibilities

Manage an external recruitment territory across the Seattle-Olympia region, maintaining a consistent presence at partner community colleges.
Schedule and conduct visits to regional community colleges, coordinate pre-visit calls and correspondence and make travel arrangements.
Represent Western at transfer fairs, college fairs, classroom visits, advising events, and recruitment programs.
Advise prospective transfer and Running Start students on academic programs, admissions requirements, transfer credits, financial aid, scholarships, and application and enrollment processes through individual appointments, drop-in advising, group presentations, and virtual meetings primarily at partner community colleges.
Deliver information sessions on academic opportunities, admissions, financial aid, scholarships, student life and application and enrollment processes.
Support students in understanding how prior coursework transfers to Western and how credits apply toward degree programs of interest.
Connect students with appropriate academic departments and campus resources to support transfer planning and successful transition to Western.
Support diverse student populations including first-generation students, adult learners, veterans, students with disabilities, and international students.
Maintain communication with prospective students from inquiry through enrollment to support application completion and yield.
Travel regularly within the assigned territory to maintain an on-site presence at partner institutions.
Track student engagement and outreach activity in the CRM (Slate) and analyze recruitment data to assess outreach effectiveness and inform territory strategy.
Work occasional evenings or weekends to support recruitment events.
Lead and participate in On-the-Spot Admissions events that provide students with timely information about admissibility and next steps.
Contribute to the planning and implementation of transfer-focused events, workshops, and outreach initiatives.
Support planning and delivery of Western's annual Transfer Advisor's Workshop and related events to engage community college advising staff.
Attend and assist with events and activities on behalf of the Office of Admissions as needed and assigned.
Review assigned applications for admission and scholarships and recommend admission decisions using established guidelines.
Communicate admission decisions and scholarship opportunities to prospective students.
Serve as Western's primary liaison to partner community colleges in the Seattle region, developing collaborative relationships with advisors, counselors, and administrators.
Support implementation and ongoing coordination of Guaranteed Transfer Admission partnerships.
Identify opportunities to strengthen institutional partnerships, expand transfer pathways, and increase student engagement.
Manage home office duties which include storing and tracking inventory of recruitment materials, maintenance of University-issued equipment (laptop, etc.)
Participate in Admissions meetings, committees, and occasional recruitment activities on Western's Bellingham campus.
Assist in identifying and developing informational resources that support transfer pathways.
Contribute to initiatives and special projects as assigned.