Freshman Programs Administrator - George Mason University

Department: Cross Functional

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: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The units directly under the Senior International Officer (SIO) are the Global Education Office (GEO) and International Enrollment Partnerships (IEP); in addition, there is close collaboration with other international-focused units at the university such as INTO Mason, Mason Korea, and Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS). These units collectively support the internationalization efforts of the university and in support GMU's Strategic Plan, serving both students studying abroad, as well as international students coming to Mason.

About the Position:

Reporting to the Assistant Director, Global Gateway and International Branch Campuses, the Freshman Programs Administrator is responsible for coordinating and managing various aspects of the Global Education Office's (GEO) freshman program administration. This includes: serving as a liaison with key university offices such as Admissions, Orientation and Family Programs, and Financial Aid to oversee the selection, acceptance processing, registration, and communication with freshman program participants. The role also collaborates with academic advisors, academic departments, and the GEO Registration Specialist to assist with course offerings and curriculum development. Additionally, the Freshman Programs Administrator works with international partners on academic matters and to arrange student housing abroad, organizes co-curricular activities for the GEOC108 first-semester course, and coordinates travel schedules for on-site staff. The position is student-focused and requires problem-solving skills to address and resolve student issues. This position also frequently makes presentations to groups.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary liaison with Admissions, the Office of Orientation and Family Programs, and the Office of Financial Aid;
• Oversees the selection and placement of participants in the Gateways program;
• Manages acceptance processing, registration, and communication for first-year participants;
• Organizes orientation sessions and first-semester events, including retention-focused activities;
• Acts as the first point of contact and advisor for student participants;
• Provides comprehensive support to students throughout their journey, from recruitment to program re-entry;
• Represents the GEO Freshman Programs at both on-campus and off-campus events to promote first-year programs;
• Collaborates with the Integrative Enrollment Management (IEM) group and Admissions to develop and implement a coordinated strategy for freshman program promotion, including digital marketing, social media, the First Year Programs website, and outreach to high school counselors;
• Works closely with the Freshman Programs Manager and Senior Marketing Outreach Specialist to create marketing materials such as letters, postcards, banners, graphics, and recruitment videos;
• Plans and executes virtual orientations and events for prospective and incoming students;
• Liaises with host institutions to manage program details, including course registration, housing arrangements, and on-site support for both students and GEOC faculty;
• Collaborates with the GEO Registration Specialist to ensure student course approvals are processed efficiently;
• Oversees key program elements such as visa documentation, housing logistics, course offerings, on-site registration, and transcript procedures;
• Serves as the primary contact with host institutions for student updates and issue resolution;
• Addresses and troubleshoots student concerns during the program;
• Implements and monitors student post-program evaluations, using the feedback to improve future program experiences;
• Coordinates travel schedules of GEOC faculty; and
• Additional duties as assigned related to Freshman Programs and International Branch Campuses.

NOTE: The Hiring range for this position is $54,000-$56,500, commensurate with education and experience.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and