Academic Advisor & Recruitment Coordinator

Department: Carter School

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Carter School Undergraduate Program provides coursework, programming, and advising support for students majoring in Conflict Analysis, students with one of six different conflict minors, and students from across the university who enroll in one of our many skill-building classes. Our student services office has a commitment to excellence that seeks to connect students to vital resources, provide thoughtful and individualized mentorship that engages each student in a self-discovery process, and empowers students to challenge themselves as they prepare for the variety of career paths that the conflict resolution degree can lead to.

About the Position:

The Academic Advisor & Recruitment Coordinator ensures students receive consistent, high quality guidance, while the school maintains strong visibility, enrollment, and programmatic excellence within the university and the broader community. This role provides essential value through:

• Strengthening Enrollment and Visibility - the position leads the school’s recruitment and outreach efforts, representing the Carter School at Admissions and Orientation events, developing promotional materials, and cultivating relationships across campus and with external partners. These efforts ensure a robust and diverse pipeline of prospective students and promote the school’s programs to key stakeholders.
• Supporting Student Success and Retention - through individualized academic advising, coaching, and mentorship, the position helps students navigate curriculum requirements, stay on track for graduation, and access resources that enhance their academic and personal success. Maintaining accurate student records and applying institutional policies consistently contributes to strong retention, satisfaction, and timely degree completion.
• Enhancing Program Quality and Engagement - the role supports major school initiatives—such as the Research Symposium, Peace Week, Convocation, and the Conflict Resolution Youth Summit—by coordinating planning, logistics, communications, and partnerships. These efforts enrich the student experience, increase community engagement, and elevate the school’s profile internally and externally.

Overall, the Academic Advisor & Recruitment Coordinator is essential to advancing the Carter School’s strategic goals. The position strengthens recruitment, fosters student success, and supports impactful programs—ensuring that the school remains a vibrant, student-centered academic community committed to excellence in peace and conflict studies.

Responsibilities:

Recruitment - Coordinates marketing and recruitment for the undergraduate program and assists with graduate recruitment on occasion.

• Collaborates with Carter School staff to create and implement enrollment and marketing strategies; and works with the team to revise and update marketing materials;
• Tracks enrollment and recruiting using Mason and Carter School data;
• Attends recruitment events sponsored by the Carter School and serves as the Carter School representative at events hosted by the Office of Admissions, including prospective freshmen and transfer open houses and orientation events held by the Office of New Student and Family Programs;
• Conducts outreach and shares information with community college advisors and faculty, and high school counselors and teachers;
• Coordinates the Carter School Ambassador Program, a group of undergraduate students that assist with recruiting, community building, and undergraduate leadership; and
• Liaises with the Carter School Alumni Association, facilitating opportunities to advance mentoring, outreach, and community building.

Event Planning and Support - Plans and leads events that support recruitment efforts.

• Implements innovative approaches to boost event attendance and engagement;
• Administers the Conflict Resolution Youth Summit initiative;
• Assists the Events Coordinator in managing undergraduate Peace Week events;
• Handles purchasing for the undergraduate office events when needed;
• Coordinates student visit experiences; and
• Manages room reservations.

Academic Advising - Supports currently enrolled Carter School majors/minors in the undergraduate program.

• Meets with prospective, new, and current Conflict Analysis and Resolution majors and minors to provide academic advising related to degree requirements, course scheduling, internships, and career interests;
• Knowledgeable about Mason student resources, policies, and processes. Follows administrative procedures for student interactions and record keeping;
• Processes student academic forms and responds in a timely manner to student inquiries;
• Prepares reports on student milestones, concentrations, graduation audits, internships, etc.; and
• Prepares and maintains confidential student records.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Understanding of Carter School goals and objectives; willingness to focus attention toward execution of current and innovative activities to further those goals;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Engaging and professional presentation skills;
• Effective communication and organizational skills and experience (or ability to engage) with technologies utilized in higher education;
• Ability to be collaborative, seeking input and sharing information with stakeholders; and
• Ability to build a rapport with students, building trust, flexibility, and an empathetic, non-judgmental, and ethical approach with a diverse group of students.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience/background in Higher Education and Social Sciences helpful, but not required;
• Experience creating print and social media marketing materials; and
• Experience with event planning.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Academic Advisor & Recruitment Coordinator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Posting Open Date:  February 25, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  March 11, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes