University Registrar

Priority Date for Applications – Friday, December 12, 2025

Starting Salary Range:  $90,000 – $105,000

Position Summary

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 a seamless and student-centric experience, fostering 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 welcoming culture of continuous improvement, belonging, 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 university constituents and stakeholders.

Statement of Welcoming and Belonging

Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university’s commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good.

Description of Duties and Tasks

Student Records & Registration Management

• Maintain and monitor the database for student records in accordance with 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 that maintain 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 the academic registration process to ensure efficient and user-friendly access to the system according to established policies and procedures.
•  Collaborate with the Office of Admissions 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 including 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 the 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 both 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 in the recommendation and application of 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 Admissions, 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, General Education Committee, 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 as well as credits for Advanced Placement, CLEP, Cambridge, International Baccalaureate, etc.
• Coordinate with the Office of Admissions 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, transcript processing, etc., in support of the university’s mission of academic excellence.

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 constructive performance 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 applying technology to both existing and emerging applications and innovative approaches to student information systems (SIS), registration processes, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and other related functions.
•  A 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 in embracing and leading change and improvements necessary to adapt and prosper in a rapidly changing, cost-conscious, highly accountable environment.
•  Comprehensive skills in data reporting and analysis.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
•  Extensive experience with Microsoft 365.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with PowerCAMPUS (SIS), Slate CRM, Acalog, Stellic degree audit system, Canvas (LMS), and/or 25Live (event management system).

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 Friday, December 12, 2025. 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 a welcoming environment in your current and previous positions and/or how you plan to do so through your 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 the 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.

The Search Coordinator is:

Herb Riley, Search Coordinator, focusEDU

The University’s mission, vision, and values statement may be reviewed at http://www.lr.edu/about.

About Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive liberal arts institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir-Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Hickory, North Carolina – The City and Area

Hickory’s beautiful location at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the shores of the Catawba River offers something for everyone. Ideally located along I-40 between Winston-Salem and Asheville, Hickory serves as the regional hub of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metropolitan statistical area and offers everything residents and visitors need within a short drive. For those seeking extra adventure or a change of scenery, unique cities like Charlotte, Asheville, and Boone are just an hour away. Hickory strikes the perfect balance of small-town charm and big-city amenities.

Hickory is a three-time All-America City. It was recognized by National Geographic Travel as one of the Best Small Cities in America. Additionally, Hickory was recognized by Forbes magazine for being first in the nation for lowest business costs, at 25% below the U.S. average. Hickory was named one of the best affordable places to live in 2024 by U.S. News & World Report, and it is one of four North Carolina cities that were recently named among the top 25 places to live in the U.S. this year according to U.S. News & World Report.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy

Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.
LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.