University Registrar

Location: Hickory, North Carolina 

The University Registrar at Lenoir-Rhyne University is a key member of the university community responsible for meticulously managing and enhancing the academic operations and administrative functions related to student records, enrollment and course scheduling across three sites in two states. 

The University Registrar serves as a key steward of undergraduate and graduate academic policies, ensuring compliance with institutional standards and governmental regulations. By leveraging innovative technologies and best practices in higher education, the University Registrar will contribute to the creation of a seamless and student-centric experience to foster an environment that promotes academic success, progression and timely degree completion. Through collaboration with academic colleges, faculty and various other university offices, the University Registrar will play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of academic records, facilitating efficient registration processes and supporting strategic initiatives that advance the university’s mission of academic excellence. 

The University Registrar will serve as a trusted leader dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, inclusivity and service while championing the university’s commitment to providing a transformative educational experience for all students. The University Registrar will supervise and assess staff members within the office to ensure equitable workloads and excellent service to the university constituents and stakeholders.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to the university’s commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience engaging with diversity and equity through activities such as fostering an inclusive environment, working with faculty and/or students from diverse backgrounds and/or incorporating diverse perspectives in their current or previous positions.

Description of Duties and Tasks                                                                                                        

Student Records & Registration Management

  • Maintain and monitor the database for student records by university policies, the guidelines of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), the requirements of accrediting agencies, federal and state laws and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Develop and ensure adherence to policies related to the maintaining of academic integrity and confidentiality of student records
  • Maintain accurate, complete student data records
  • Prepare academic warning, probation, suspension and dismissal reports for Academic Standing review
  • Manage academic registration process to ensure efficient and user-friendly access to the system according to set policies and procedures
  • Collaborate with the Office of Admission to add new students to the student information system accurately

Degree Audits and Graduation Certification

  • Conduct degree audits to verify students’ progress toward graduation
  • Supervise the coordination, evaluation and certification of all graduation applications, as well as present the official graduation list to the faculty
  • Certify completion of degree requirements to include majors, minors, general education, honors and any other graduation requirements
  • Issue official transcripts and diplomas

Course scheduling

  • Collaborate with colleges and the assistant provost for undergraduate education to ensure each semester’s schedule of classes is clear and correctly posted before opening of the registration system
  • Ensure accurate publication of course offerings and any course fees associated with them

Academic Policies and Catalog

  • Interpret and enforce academic policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with institutional guidelines and accreditation standards while staying informed of any changes
  • Assist in the annual revision and publication of the university catalogs
  • Maintain accurate course information in the catalogs and the student information system by monitoring the undergraduate and graduate program committees for approved changes
  • Implement and manage student information systems and related technologies to enhance efficiency in record-keeping, registration, transcripts and degree completion

Technology Integration

  • Partner with the Office of Information Technology to provide leadership, education and direction within the division and the campus community as related to the student information system
  • In coordination with the Office of Information Technology, regularly review best practices for recommending and applying technology to registration and records retention policies and processes

Communication and Collaboration

  • Ensure that the registrar’s office provides prompt, accurate and efficient services and information to students, alumni, faculty, administrators and external agencies
  • Maintain close coordination with other enrollment management-related offices, including Admission, Financial Aid, Business Office, Athletics and BEAR Central, to aid in strategic enrollment planning
  • Serve on university committees, as designated or by appointment, including the Undergraduate and Graduate Program Committees, Provost’s Council and Academic Standing Committee
  • Communicate important academic information, including FERPA training, to students, faculty and staff
  • Collaborate with the president’s office regarding commencement activities

Compliance and Data Reporting

  • Collaborate with Institutional Research to ensure accurate reporting to internal constituents (e.g. institutional research, academic affairs, president’s office) and external stakeholders (e.g., National Student Clearinghouse, IPEDS, Department of Defense)
  • Certify student eligibility for participation in NCAA intercollegiate athletics and veterans’ benefits

Transcript Evaluation and Transfer Credit

  • Evaluate and process transfer credits from other institutions and credits for Advanced Placement, CLEP, Cambridge, International Baccalaureate, etc
  • Coordinate with the Office of Admission to create a process to generate transfer credit evaluations quickly for prospective students

Academic Calendar Enforcement

  • Ensure the academic calendar is built correctly in the student information system and enforce the approved dates

Continuous Improvement

  • Participate in ongoing professional development to stay abreast of best practices and trends in academic administration
  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the effectiveness of all systems used for academic records, registration, transcribing, etc

Supervision of Staff

  • Manage daily operations of the registrar’s office
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and provide training to ensure all staff can perform duties in compliance with all university and accreditor guidelines and policies
  • Provide leadership and performance management feedback for staff in the registrar’s office to ensure an equitable and positive work environment

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in any field required, with a degree in higher education or a related field preferred
  • At least 5 years of relevant experience in a registrar’s office or similar role at a regionally accredited University environment
  • In-depth knowledge of academic policies, procedures and regulations in a university
  • Demonstrated extensive experience with applying technology to existing and emerging applications and innovative approaches to student information systems (SIS), registration processes, customer relation management (CRM) systems and other related functions
  • Strong commitment and track record of successful regulatory compliance and assessment
  • Strong track record of building positive relationships critical to enrollment success with constituencies within and outside the institution
  • Strong commitment to professional development, customer satisfaction, identifying best practices and applying process improvements
  • Experience embracing and leading change and improvements necessary to adapt and prosper in a rapidly changing, cost-conscious, highly accountable environment
  • Comprehensive data reporting and analysis skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

  • Extensive experience with Microsoft Office 365, PowerCAMPUS student information system, Slate CRM, Acalog, Stellic degree audit system, Canvas and EMS

Position requirements in the role description outlined above indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list for the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove or waive the responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Application Process

Priority consideration will be afforded to those applicants who submit a completed application by Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The search will continue until the position is filled. Applications must include these three documents:

  • Letter of application specifically addressing the position description, qualifications and how you have supported diversity, equity and inclusion in your current and previous positions and/or how you plan to work at Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • A resume or curriculum vitae
  • A list of three professional references, including name, current position, email, address and phone number. References will only be contacted with permission of the applicant

All application materials and any questions regarding the position or the search process should be submitted electronically to LRreg@focusedunow.com.

FocusEDU is assisting Lenoir-Rhyne University with this search for their new University Registrar. Co-Search Coordinators are:

  • Bruce Cunningham, Ph.D., vice president of registrar services, focusEDU
  • Herb Riley, president, focusEDU

The university’s mission, vision and values statement may be reviewed on our About page.

About Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private masters comprehensive liberal arts institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a town of more than 40,000. The university also has campus centers in Asheville, NC, and Columbia, SC, which includes the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS). A Division II member of the NCAA, the university now offers more than 50 undergraduate and more than 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,300 students. 

Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community and promote responsible leadership for service worldwide. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne promotes diverse campuses open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds. Please visit the university's About page to learn more.