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The Legal Studies Admissions Operations Coordinator manages recruitment, admission, and enrollment operations across the Legal Studies offerings, including the LL.M. program, M.L.S. program, and summer programs. The Coordinator processes confidential applications and application materials to these programs, provides program-level assistance for recruiting events including shipping collateral and admissions materials to event venues, and coordinates logistics for prospective student information sessions. The Coordinator also provides administrative support to the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies and the Associate Director of Legal Studies Admissions while serving as the initial point of contact for the Legal Studies admissions team. This position is located in Nashville, TN and is expected to work in person, on campus four days a week.
Among the nation's leading law schools, Vanderbilt stands out for its distinguished faculty; highly talented students; collegial and collaborative school culture; graduates' top-tier employment outcomes; and global alumni network. The Legal Studies team of professionals serves and delivers all educational programming at the Law School outside of the residential J.D. program. The Legal Studies team operates the admission and enrollment of the domestic LL.M. program, operates the undergraduate Legal Studies minor, and operates all aspects of the M.L.S. program from admission to course delivery. The Legal Studies team serves prospective students, the Law School, enrolled students, alumni, and the larger legal profession through its commitment to high standards of professional conduct and ethical behavior, accuracy and candor in providing information to prospective students; adherence to principles of equity and inclusion; respect for confidentiality; and excellent customer service.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Communications
• A primary point of contact for M.L.S. and LL.M. admission inquiries - requires knowledge of the law school and Admissions Office print and electronic information resources.
• Answer email for the M.L.S. and LL.M. inbox or distribute email to appropriate staff members.
• Answer telephone calls courteously and professionally.
• Handle difficult situations in a "high stakes" environment.
• Use Slate and LSAC UNITE admissions database / customer relations management systems.
• Use web content management, Instagram account management, Canva designs, WeChat messaging, and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).
• Process incoming physical mail: upload to applicant record or distribute to appropriate staff.
• Collaborate with the JD Admissions team when necessary to provide office-level support and service.
Application Processing
• Use Slate and LSAC UNITE systems to process electronic applications as they are received.
• Collaborate with third-party recruiting teams to process M.L.S. applications as they are received.
• Generate application fee waivers in Slate when approved.
• Identify missing materials / incomplete items and resolve as appropriate by communicating directly with applicants or coordinating with the Legal Studies team to resolve.
• Upload and finalize LL.M. application decisions including scholarship awards as relevant.
• Update application status as appropriate.
• Accept special processing assignments as needed, e.g., Character & Fitness summaries, or transfer query spreadsheet.
Legal Studies Recruitment Support
• Provide administrative and general assistance to the Associate Director of Legal Studies Admissions and Assistant Dean for Legal Studies.
• Assist the Legal Studies team in planning communications, website updates, and by attending and helping to run virtual recruiting, such as LSAC Digital Forums, virtual information sessions across academic programs, and manage and administer the LL.M. WeChat group.
• Primary responsibility for shipping recruiting event materials for the LL.M. recruiting season and track delivery.
• Keep track of stock of recruiting collateral, i.e., Viewbook, Fact Sheet, and update the Associate Director of stock.
• Regularly update LL.M. websites, including the LL.M. Recruiting Events site, the Welcome Entering Students site, and the Housing Recommendations site, using Omni. Serve as the Admissions liaison with M.L.S. team, including working with third-party vendors and Communications team to support recruitment and admission of M.L.S. students.
• Coordinate and host prospective student Zoom meetings for LL.M. and M.L.S. applicants, in collaboration and coordination with the Associate Director for Legal Studies Admissions, the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies, and the M.L.S. Faculty Director.
Legal Studies Admission and Enrollment Support
• Primary contact for M.L.S and LL.M. applicants and entering students
• Primary point of contact for working with third-party vendors for post-admission communication and admit kit shipping. Responsible for collecting confirmed mailing addresses from LL.M. admitted students and M.L.S. admitted students by routinely running a Slate query and by communicating directly with the students, working with third-party vendors to ensure correct information is shared, and track and manage until confirmed delivery.
• Work with the Associate Director of Legal Studies Admissions to regularly read applications and render admissions decisions in a timely manner across LL.M. and M.L.S. programs.
• Assist the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies in implementation of new M.L.S. scholarship programs and recruitment tools.
• Monitor receipt of final transcripts for matriculating M.L.S. and LL.M. candidates. Communicate with URO regarding transcripts in CAS report received from LSAC. Upload in Slate all final transcripts received directly from foreign universities, updating URO when received. Maintain spreadsheet reflecting universities and degrees conferred.
• Provide support during summer months to welcome entering LL.M. students arriving on campus from abroad by providing information about the university and Nashville and escort to campus offices.
• Assist in onboarding M.L.S. and LL.M. students leading up to and upon their arrival by collaborating with the Associate Director of Legal Studies Admissions and University administration on final transcripts, any relevant immigration needs, I-20 processing, immunization statuses, Commodore Card photos, arrival check-in, and ongoing needs of students.
• Collaborate with the Legal Studies Program Manager for onboarding and enrollment of M.L.S. students, including Orientation support.
• Conduct annual outreach to global M.L.S. and LL.M. alumni. Collect updates on current employers and location.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility. The position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Dean for Legal Studies.
Qualifications:
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience is necessary.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience is necessary.
• Experience in a higher education setting or student services environment is preferred.
• Advanced level interpersonal and communication skills are necessary.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is necessary.
• Strong organizational, project management skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office and university and law school systems (i.e., Zoom, WeChat, Canva, Omni) are necessary. Prior experience and/or working knowledge of Slate and LSAC UNITE systems is preferred.
• This position is located in Nashville, TN and is expected to work in person, on campus four days a week.
About Us
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.