Under the direction of the Associate Director of Enrollment, the Assistant Director manages a caseload of online students (undergraduate, graduate, cohort) by providing comprehensive support throughout their student journey. This position is responsible for identifying barriers to student progression, problem solving, and establishing and maintaining cross\-campus partnerships. Using various types of communication, university systems and other resources, the Assistant Director works directly with students to assist in selecting a program, completing the admission process, and supporting enrollment persistence through graduation. This position works as part of a larger student service team and will cross\-train with team members to ensure student success and seamless service across all aspects of the student journey.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
One year of relevant work experience.
Experience qualifying and motivating prospects and conducting student retention outreach.
Ability to maintain accurate student and other records.
Ability to compile and analyze data on students through the student life cycle as well as on program specific goals/initiatives.
Ability to project a positive and professional image and provide exceptional customer service.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with adults and non\-traditional students in higher education.
Strong working knowledge of all aspects of the student journey.
Knowledge of or experience with student information systems (Slate, SAP, etc.).
Duties \& Responsibilities
Initiates the follow\-up process with prospective students through phone, email, SMS, 1:1 appointments and live chat communication.
Engages prospective, newly admitted, and current students in ongoing communication through campaign and custom outreach.
Serves as a liaison to connect students with key university offices and services.
Supports online students by following prescribed recruiting and retention strategies that contribute to the department’s enrollment goals.
Adheres to programming initiatives the support student engagement and retention.
Tracks student enrollment and serves as a case manager for stop outs and non\-completers for assigned program(s).
Assists in problem identification and resolution in support of student success and persistence.
Leads or assists with planning and facilitation of recruitment webinars, new student orientation, and other student service\-related presentations as needed.
Assists with events that foster relationships with prospective, new, and current students.
Collaborates with other student services personnel in support of admissions, new student onboarding, registration, financial aid, academic advising, and other student services.
Utilizes university systems to monitor online student enrollment and persistence, initiating outreach and referrals as necessary.
Monitors changes in academic programs to effectively recruit individuals in line with institutional and program goals and expectations.
Assists in identifying and coordinating necessary changes with internal stakeholders to ensure accurate program information and requirements are displayed in print, digital, and online formats as applicable.
Works within a team to support the student journey from point of inquiry through graduation.
Works collaboratively with and cross\-trains other members of the CMU Online enrollment team.
Performs cohort program student onboarding, registration, and retention management.
Assists students transitioning between programs and/or campuses.
Monitors course enrollments and waitlists, assist with go/no\-go decisions, communicate as necessary with impacted students.
Utilizes institutional information systems for entering, maintaining, and updating student data.
Compiles and analyzes appropriate data to monitor conversion rates.
Performs other duties as assigned, including but limited to:
- Assists with center operations.
- Manages the proctor schedule.
- Greets faculty and students while facilitating access for center operations and face\-to\-face courses.
Supervision Exercised
None
Message to Applicants
Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards.
You must submit an on\-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.
Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.
This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials by April 3, 2026.
Employee Group Professional \& Administrative \-Salary
Staff Pay Level
Pay Range $45,000 \- $52,000
Division Academic Affairs
Department CMU Online
Position Status Regular
Position End Date
Employment Status Full\-Time
FTE 1\.00
Position Type 12 month
Weekly Work Schedule Mon\-Fri, 8:00 a.m. \- 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as required.
Location Mount Pleasant, MI
About the Department
About CMU
Central Michigan University has a more than 125\-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.
We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.
CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.
Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student\-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid\-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3\.17\.
CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small\-town living with big\-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.
Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.
CMU Leadership Standards
Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.
We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.
Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.