NAKEYAH BRADFORD
Florissant
Summary
Dedicated Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions with eight years of experience guiding students through the college admissions process. Passionate about providing mentorship and resources to help students transition to higher education and beyond. Proven ability to engage with students, families, and support networks through a hands-on communication approach. Expertise in recruitment, application support, and program knowledge to ensure informed decision-making. Committed to fostering access and opportunity for diverse student populations.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Assistant Director Undergraduate Admissions
Washington University, St. Louis
07.2023 - Current
- Lead Director of WashU Preview, a fly-in program for 200 underrepresented students, overseeing planning, execution, and engagement. Successfully drove the largest application count in school history, receiving over 1,300 applications.
- Recruit and advise prospective students while managing a key admissions territory covering District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.
- Supervise and mentor admissions staff, including a direct report managing recruitment in Florida and Puerto Rico, ensuring strategic outreach and enrollment success.
- Manage a team of three Multicultural Interns responsible for event planning, social media strategy, and campus partnerships.
- Serve on the Athletics Committee, acting as a liaison for recruitment in softball, baseball, track & field, and cross country.
- Member of the Social Committee, fostering high morale and engagement within the admissions office.
- Office Mentor, providing guidance and resources for new team members to ensure a smooth transition.
- Former Coalition Ambassador, supporting students from marginalized backgrounds and serving as a liaison for the organization.
Dialogue Across Difference Facilitator
Washington University, St. Louis
03.2024 - Current
- Built rapport with diverse groups of stakeholders by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competence during facilitated sessions.
- Fostered an inclusive learning environment by addressing diverse needs and adapting facilitation techniques as needed.
- Delivered high-quality training sessions, ensuring participants developed a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
- Increased participant engagement by incorporating interactive activities and group discussions into sessions.
Admissions Counselor
Washington University, St. Louis
03.2022 - 07.2023
- Work collaboratively with admission counseling staff to ensure a positive, seamless, and memorable experience for campus visitors
- Demonstrate excellent presentation skills and presents to admitted/prospective students and families
- Correspond with students and campus partners via email. Records interactions and enters appropriate details into student information system
- Explain institution's fee structure, amenities, courses offered and facilities to students and parents
- Educate students on course selection to align with career goals
- Resolve scheduling conflicts or other issues independently in a professional and timely manner
- Organize, detail and excellent track record of working well under pressure to meet deadlines
- Work closely with management staff to create new presentations and events
- Build personal relationships with guests to promote positive experiences
- Serve as a WashU Preview 2022 Team Member
- Contribute as a member of the Admissions and Aid Social Committee
Admissions Counselor II and PDSO
Cambridge College Southern California
06.2021 - 03.2022
- Participated in student recruitment, selection, and making admissions recommendations when required to do so
- Introduced new recruitment plans for institution including RepVisits, high school student recruitment and increased social media presence
- Promoted the university by participating in community, state, and national events or meetings, and by developing partnerships within industry
- Promoted the university by participating in community, state, and national events or meetings, and by developing partnerships within industry
- Responded to articulation requests and disseminate articulation data to students, staff, appropriate departments, and campuses
- Implemented first Open House for the Southern California site
- Created virtual Fall 2021 New Student Orientation
- Created first virtual tour for Southern California site via Guidebook
- Created and assigned recruitment territories
- Directed activities of administrative departments such as admissions, registration, and career services
- Participated in faculty and college committee activities
- Contributed as a member of Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJI) Committee
- Maintained open lines of communication with all international students to facilitate high levels of student satisfaction concerning their experience
Senior Assistant Director First-Year Admissions
Admissions, North Carolina A&T State University
09.2019 - 06.2021
- Achieved record breaking numbers for the Fall 2020 recruited class, ensuring that N.C A&T SU remained the largest HBCU for 7 consecutive years
- Increased student enrollment in personal territories (NC, GA, and TN)
- Directed, coordinated, and evaluated the activities of personnel, including support staff, engaged in administering academic institutions, departments and alumni organizations
- Implemented virtual recruitment strategy created Zoom accounts for team, spreadsheets, surveys, and assessment forms
- Created 2020 Fall Open House Virtual Guidebook
- Implemented Undergraduate Admissions Newsletter the Aggie Update dispersed to high school counselors and families virtually
- Contributed as a member of Premiere Scholarship Committee
- Managed temporary admission counselors
- Recruited, hired, trained, and terminated departmental personnel
- Assigned student ambassadors for campus events
- Coordinated Parent Night with N.C A&T Stem High School
- Formulated strategic plans for the institution
- Planned, administered, and controlled budgets, maintained financial records, and produced financial reports
- Established operational policies and procedures and made any necessary modifications, based on analysis of operations, demographics, and other research information
Admissions Counselor
Harris-Stowe State University
06.2017 - 07.2019
- Achieved record breaking numbers for the Fall 2019 recruited class, causing largest first-time freshman class in school history
- Coordinated President reception in Los Angeles, California
- Participated in state and out of state recruitment (CA, WA, OK, NY, etc.)
- Formulated strategic plans for the institution campus events, in meetings with other institution personnel, and during accreditation processes
- Formulated strategic plans for the institution
- Established operational policies and procedures and made any necessary modifications, based on analysis of operations, demographics, and other research information
- Contributed as a member of the scholarship committee
- Processed admission documents
- Maintained office responsibilities
- Participated in student selection, admission, and admissions recommendations
- Created the events STEM DAY and STL Signing Day
- Spearheaded recruitment for dual-enrollment programs
Education
Master of Higher Education Administration (M.Ed) -
UNIVERSITY MISSOURI SAINT LOUIS
Saint Louis, MOBachelor of Science (B.S) - Biology
HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY
Saint Louis, MOSkills
- Slate CRM System
- Asana Project Management Software
- Box Content Management
- Salesforce CRM System
- Banner CRM System
- Chrome River Expense Management System
- Adobe Spark
- Youtube
- Lucid Press
- Workday Expense Management System
Affiliations
- Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
- NAIA Softball Coach Certificate
Timeline
Dialogue Across Difference Facilitator
Washington University, St. Louis
03.2024 - Current
Senior Assistant Director Undergraduate Admissions
Washington University, St. Louis
07.2023 - Current
Admissions Counselor
Washington University, St. Louis
03.2022 - 07.2023
Admissions Counselor II and PDSO
Cambridge College Southern California
06.2021 - 03.2022
Senior Assistant Director First-Year Admissions
Admissions, North Carolina A&T State University
09.2019 - 06.2021
Admissions Counselor
Harris-Stowe State University
06.2017 - 07.2019
Master of Higher Education Administration (M.Ed) -
UNIVERSITY MISSOURI SAINT LOUIS
Bachelor of Science (B.S) - Biology
HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY
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