Founded in 1860, Bard College is an international network of highly innovative and admired educational institutions grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. Simon?s Rock at Bard College actualizes the simple yet radical idea that many students are ready for college before the age of 18. This idea, first envisioned by Elizabeth Blodgett Hall on the original Simon?s Rock campus in 1966 in Great Barrington, MA, launched the Early College movement in the United States and beyond. Simon?s Rock has carried out this mission for 59 years in Great Barrington, and in July of 2025 is relocating to the Massena campus of Bard College, in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.
In this new location, Simon?s Rock will have a diverse student population of approximately 180 students, both boarding and day students, drawn nationally and internationally, with a significant population of students identifying as LGBTQIA . This includes enrollment in the Early College Associate in Arts degree program as well as in Bard Academy. Launched in 2015, Bard Academy is a two-year high school program with courses designed and taught by college professors and leading to entry into college after the 10th grade. Students at the Massena campus may enter the Early College either as matriculants from Bard Academy or as students directly admitted to Early College after completing 10th or 11th grade, or the equivalent in homeschooled or non-traditional pathways.
The Role:
For Simon?s Rock at Bard College, we seek a conscientious and creative professional who works with our passionate prospective students and their families. Successful Admission Counselors are conscientious, energetic, creative, organized, flexible, and open-minded, must demonstrate independent initiative and also work very well as part of a team, and must possess outstanding strategic thinking, problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills. The Admission Counselor reports to the Director of Admission. This role can be hired at the Admission Counselor level or the Assistant Director level, depending on level of prior experience.
This position is a full-time position with benefits.
Duties include:
Participation in a full range of admission activities including representing the Academy and the Early College to a variety of outside constituencies
Prospect management
Developing and implementing recruitment strategy, interviewing applicants and working with families Reviewing applications, and working closely with Simon?s Rock students, staff, and faculty
Working with independent educational consultants and school placement counselors
Using CRM Slate to keep records of admission activities
Additional duties such as managing student workers, event planning, or working with specific populations like educational consultants or international students
Required qualifications:
Bachelor?s degree
Driver?s license
Preferred qualifications:
Experience with admissions in an Early College program
Experience with admissions in an independent school and/or liberal arts college
Compensation: $44,000 to $50,000 (Admission Counselor); $51,000 to $57,000 (Assistant Director)
This salary range reflects the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.
All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three references. Submit your files to Interfolio.com. Address email inquiries to hr@simons-rock.edu. No phone calls, please. For full consideration, please submit applications by February 3, 2025, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.
Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.
Building on a 150-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College's mission has expanded across the country, around the world, and to meet broader student needs.Now, approximately 2,000 undergraduates study in Annandale and more than 200 graduate students study in Bard programs, plus nearly 1,000 students in our early colleges. Total enrollment for Bard College and its global affiliates is approximately 5,000 students. The undergraduate program at our main campus in the Hudson River Valley of upstate New York retains a reputation for scholarly excellence and civic engagement. We are committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow's thought leaders.