Transfer Engagement Specialist

Employer: The University of Kansas
Location: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

View more categoriesView less categories

Employment Type: Full Time
Institution Type: Four-Year Institution

Apply on website

Send job

Job Details
Organization

Position OverviewThe Office of Undergraduate Admissions reports to the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and is responsible for domestic and international undergraduate admissions for freshman and transfer students. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions coordinates the overall recruitment strategy for KU, including travel, high school and community college relations, on and off-campus events, prospect and inquiry management, and application processing.

More than perhaps any other factor, the degree to which a university attracts and retains qualified students determines the success or failure of that institution. The Enrollment Management division is a key player in this activity and has a profound effect on the institution’s success. Enrollment Management (EM) includes the following functional units: Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Enrollment Management, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Office of the University Registrar, Student Lifecycle Technology, Enrollment Marketing Communications, and Enrollment Management Services. The division is committed to developing a data-informed, forward-looking, comprehensive enrollment strategy that enables the institution to pursue strategic goals in an integrated and intentional manner.

The Transfer Engagement Specialist is a key member of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and plays a vital role in its Strategic Enrollment Management plan. This position focuses on recruiting and supporting prospective transfer students throughout the application and pre-application process. A key member of the Undergraduate Admissions and the Transfer Engagement Team, a successful candidate must have a passion for the University of Kansas, be highly motivated and goal-oriented, and can articulate the values and objectives of the University of Kansas to attract, recruit, admit, advise, and enroll a high-quality student population to meet KU's enrollment goals. Duties include communicating daily and building relationships in person and virtually with prospective students, families, and school counselors or advisors, managing multiple engagement correspondences, coordinating on- and off-campus recruitment responsibilities, and organizing a travel schedule. Transfer Engagement Specialists are responsible for interpreting data to tailor outreach efforts to students in assigned territories to elevate KU’s market position and profile.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Transfer, this position is a liaison between the university and prospective transfer students, ensuring a seamless transition from their previous institution to KU. The role involves recruiting transfer students, pre-transfer, and fostering relationships with community college partners.

In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, 9 paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a great retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and state of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers educational opportunities for employees.Job Description35% - Recruitment and Transfer Student Engagement

Develop and implement recruitment strategies tailored to prospective transfer students from all walks of life and through different modalities (e.g. in-person, online).
Establish and maintain relationships with community colleges, academic advisors, and prospective students.
Represent KU at community college fairs, transfer events, and on-campus programs.
Conduct in-person and virtual pre-application advising sessions for prospective transfer students.
Provide guidance on the admissions process, transfer credit evaluation, scholarships, and financial aid.
Utilize data to track enrollment trends and refine recruitment strategies.
Manage a recruitment territory, tracking prospective students and ensuring follow-up communications.
Utilize Slate CRM to conduct targeted outreach efforts such as phone calls, virtual meetings, or in-person engagement.

35% - Pre-Enrollment Advising and Support

Serve as a primary resource for prospective transfer students, addressing academic and procedural questions at the pre- application and application stage.
Collaborate with academic departments and student services to provide tailored advising for transfer pathways.
Organize and facilitate transfer-specific recruitment and yield events.
Assist students with navigating KU’s application process, credit articulation, and orientation.

20% - Assist with Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment Events

Conducts presentations in a central public speaking role to small and large groups of prospective transfer, high school, and some middle school students, families, and community stakeholders.
Plans, organizes, and hosts targeted recruitment and pre-application advising events in assigned in-state and out-of-state markets.
Helps with presentation support, team building, and other leadership roles within the Kansas-based freshman recruitment team, as assigned by Undergraduate Admissions leadership.

10% - Collaboration and Professional Development

Works closely with the Associate Director for Transfer and Community Engagement Initiatives, the Assistant Director of Transfer Recruitment, the Transfer Engagement Team, and the broader admissions team to align transfer recruitment efforts with institutional goals.
Participates in professional development opportunities related to transfer recruitment and student success.
Stays informed of best practices and policy changes affecting transfer students.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

Driver’s license required or ability to obtain one at the time of appointment.
Evening and weekend work, along with extensive travel, is required.
This position requires 25-50% for travel time.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required at the time of appointment.
At least 3 months of public speaking or presentation experience in academic, volunteer, or professional settings as evidenced by application materials.
Strong written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectationsPreferred Qualifications

A graduate of KU or knowledge of KU academic programs, student services, and admissions processes as evidenced by application materials.
Experience working with student populations such as first-generation, transfer, and non-traditional students as evidenced by application materials.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish as evidenced by application materials.
Understanding CRM philosophy and familiarity with Slate or other CRM technologies as evidenced by application materials.
Experience in student recruitment, advising, or a related field (can include coursework, internships, or professional experience, as evidenced by application materials.
Experience with community college partnerships and transfer pathways as evidenced by application materials.
Experience working independently and as part of a team to achieve recruitment goals as evidenced by application materials.
Work experience that required strong organizational and time management skills, as evidenced by application materials.

Additional Candidate Instructions

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
Resume
List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.
Application review begins October 22, 2026. and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

Contact Information to ApplicantsAmy Tharp
atharp@ku.edu
785-864-5421Advertised Salary Range44,100Application Review BeginsThursday October 22, 2026Anticipated Start DateSunday November 8, 2026Apply to Job

Working at the University of Kansas

Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.

The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.

The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.

KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.

Instruction

KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.

Research

The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.

Service

The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.

International Dimension

KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.

Values

The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.

Our City and State

KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.

Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.

Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.

Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.

Making KU Your Home

Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.

At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.