Description:

This full-time, salaried position reports to the Director of Admissions. The Admissions Counselor is responsible for high skill recruitment activities for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) and all of LSTC’s degree and non-degree programs. This individual will recruit targeted populations with particular attention to increase diversity and realize equity for incoming recruitment classes. Responsibilities include working with all admissions staff on application processing and reviews; student meetings; and communications, events, and other recruitment-related initiatives. The Admissions Counselor will travel and recruit on both the national and local levels, counsel prospective students on ministry vocations, and provide information about LSTC’s programs. The Admissions Counselor will work directly with colleges, churches, synods, and other ELCA seminaries. In addition to recruiting new students, this position accompanies new students and learners through their first year to help them familiarize themselves with seminary life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Recruitment

• Represent LSTC’s programs and preparation for ministry offerings in a variety of contexts: college campuses, ELCA congregations and synods, camps, and denominational events nationwide.
• Work closely with congregations and colleges/universities in the Chicagoland area, as well as the midwestern region to cultivate relationships and recruit students.
• Attend college fairs and other external recruitment events, interacting with prospective students and learners to promote LSTC’s programs.
• Maintain contact with prospective students and learners responding to phone, email and/or text message inquiries.
• Assist with planning and hosting on-campus recruitment events.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff in programs related to student and learner discernment.

Admissions

Guide prospective learners through the admissions decision and discernment process

• - answering questions, offering assistance, and troubleshooting problems.
• Achieve specific recruitment goals as determined by the Director of Admissions.
• Utilize enrollment management and customer relationship management software to manage prospective student and learner communications.

Onboarding & First Year Experience Guidance

• Assist with the onboarding of confirmed students and learners.
• Retain confirmed students and learners through the add/drop period by continuing to offer support, troubleshoot problems, and offer guidance.
• Provide students and learners assistance throughout the first year to connect them with LSTC resources and help them understand and utilize seminary practices and processes.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in and support the work of the admissions committee.
• Develop new partnerships and networks in previously underrepresented circles.
• Strengthen LSTC image among congregations, synods, national organizations, employers, colleges and universities, and other entities who beneficially influence the discernment of prospective students and learners, and create community and connection amongst those influencers.
• Participate in professional development opportunities as they relate to the Seminary’s needs.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with admissions representatives throughout the country and global recruiting community.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with candidacy representatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year, accredited institution.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and follow FERPA rules and regulations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Organized, adaptable, and fast learner with strong customer service and time management skills.
• Must exhibit a high degree of intercultural competency and commitment to antiracism.
• Ability to build rapport with students and other stakeholders actively demonstrating grace and care.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Valid United States driver’s license and willingness to travel 3-5 days per week during peak travel season.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution preferably in theology or a theology-related field.
• Good working knowledge of the ELCA and LSTC, including a knowledge and/or willingness to learn of rostered ministry and other forms of full-time Christian services as well as an understanding of the candidacy process for rostered ministry.
• Bilingual Spanish/English abilities are a plus.
• Able to quickly learn and effectively use new systems and software.
• Experience leveraging social media for marketing purposes.
• Recognized as self-driven, creative, goal-oriented, diligent, outgoing, and motivational.
• Track record acting as a strong team player and having a positive, can-do attitude.
• Able to effectively work collaboratively as a part of a team and independently with little guidance.

LSTC is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Women and/or persons from historically underrepresented cultural groups are especially encouraged to apply. We actively welcome and honor one another’s race, national/ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical ability, social status, and theological diversity.

Application Process

Please submit a resume and letter of interest that includes: a) your reasons for applying, b) your work experience relevant to a seminary admissions counselor position, and c) a description of how you connect to LSTC’s mission. Please submit all applications through the employment application portal: https://www.lstc.edu/about/employment. Application review will begin September 22, 2025 with an intended position start date of November 1, 2025.