Full Time Scholarship Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $48,000.00 - $60,000.00 Annually
Location : 800 Mickelson Dr, Rapid City, SD
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-29
Department: Institutional Effectiveness/Student Success
Opening Date: 07/30/2026
Closing Date: 8/13/2026 11:00 PM Mountain
Position Description
The Foundation Scholarship Specialist administers and promotes all scholarship programs supported by Western Dakota Technical College and the WDT Foundation, including institutional, endowed, community-funded, and Build Dakota scholarships. This position oversees scholarship application, selection, awarding, compliance, reporting, donor stewardship, and student support processes while serving as the primary liaison among Foundation staff, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Student Success, and external scholarship and Industry partners.
The Foundation Scholarship Specialist manages scholarship records and databases, coordinates scholarship-related communications, ensures compliance with donor intent and program requirements, and cultivates relationships with donors, industry partners, and community stakeholders to support scholarship funding and student success. In collaboration with the Foundation Director, this position supports scholarship growth through stewardship, engagement, and partnership development activities.
Position Essential Duties

1. Administer and promote all scholarship programs supported by Western Dakota Technical College and the WDT Foundation, including institutional, endowed, community-funded, and Build Dakota scholarships.
2. Timely and accurate processing of scholarship gifts in donor database.
3. Timely and responsive execution of donor stewardship processes.
4. Manage the college's intranet portal scholarship webpage.
5. Monitor student scholarship eligibility and academic performance, collaborating with the Student Success Center, Financial Aid, and Student Accounts to support student retention, minimize debt conversion with Build Dakota Scholarship Program, and collaboratively promote student success.
6. Create and deliver presentations on scholarship programs to current and prospective students, donors, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
7. Chair the scholarship committee, including training the scholarship committee on its responsibilities, facilitating the scoring process, and assuring awarding requirements for each scholarship are adhered to.
8. Work with internal WDT offices to ensure efficient scholarship distributions with accurate and timely data entry of scholarship awards in the College's student database system. Ensure needed data for audits and reporting is available.
9. Coordinate with internal WDT offices to ensure effective promotion of Build Dakota Scholarship Program, timely communication with Build Dakota Program Staff, and compliance with the program's data reporting requirements.
10. Support Western Dakota Technical College and WDT Foundation events, initiatives, and activities as assigned.

Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business, Human Services or related field preferred. One to three years of related experience in higher education, fundraising, nonprofit service, community-based organization, public relations, or a combination of education and experience to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge of technology tools, including Microsoft Office Suite, student & donor databases, and other applicable software for scholarship management.
2. Ability to maintain the confidentiality, security, and integrity of students, donor, and Foundation information while ensuring compliance with FERPA, applicable laws and regulations, Foundation policies, and ethical standards governing the handling of sensitive information.
3. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and complete work within established deadlines while managing multiple objectives and goals.
4. Ability to provide exemplary customer service, use effective decision making, and exercise discretion in responding to sensitive interpersonal situations.
5. Ability to conduct detailed, accurate, and timely date entry.
6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including public speaking, presentations, and donor communication.
7. Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with employees, donors, students, alumni, and community partners.
8. Ability to analyze information, troubleshoot situations, identify potential solutions, and recommend courses of action.
9. Ability to maintain current knowledge of trends, best practices, regulations and emerging challenges related to the position, including the appropriate use of current technology and AI-enabled tools.

The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor is it intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Benefit offerings subject to change. Employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
Western Dakota Technical College recruits' candidates who are authorized to work in the United States or who may qualify for employer-sponsored H-1B status. The College does not provide employment-based permanent residency sponsorship.
EOE/Statement of Non-Discrimination/Annual Security Report
WDTC subscribes to the fullest extent to the principle of the dignity of all people and their labors and will take action to ensure that applicants are employed, assigned, and promoted without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, pregnancy, marital status, religion, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship, political affiliation, disability, status as a veteran, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Every available opportunity will be taken in order to assure that each applicant for a position is selected on the basis of qualifications, merit, and ability. Inquiries may be directed to the Director of Human Resources at 605-718-2407. (07.2025)
ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT/CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires that the college's Annual Security Report which includes crime statistics be made available to prospective employees and prospective students upon request. Western Dakota Tech's Annual Security Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported Clery crimes that occurred on campus and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus safety and security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault prevention and response, timely warnings, emergency response, and other matters. You may obtain this information through the Western Dakota Tech website at A printed copy of the report may be obtained by writing to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success, Western Dakota 800 Mickelson Dr., Rapid City, SD 57703 or by calling (605) 718-2931.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - MUST COMPLY WITH THE IMMIGRATION REFORM AND CONTROL ACT OF 1986
Western Dakota Technical College offers a wide range of excellent benefits. We provide generous PTO and sick leave, competitive health benefits, and eligibility with the South Dakota Retirement system. about our organization offerings.