A Phenomenological Study on the Work Experiences of Admissions Officers at Local Private Universities

This study aimed to explore and analyze the essential meaning of the lived experiences of admissions officers at regional private universities amid declining school-age populations and growing regional crises. For this purpose, in-depth interviews were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires with four admissions officers at a private university located in the central region of Korea. The data were analyzed using Giorgi’s phenomenological method. The analysis identified four thematic categories and ten sub-components of admissions officers' work experiences: “Ideal Aspirations of Admissions Officers,” “Resigned Frustrations,” “Layered Perceptions of the Regional Private University Context,” and “Volitional Growth Beyond the Panopticon.” The findings revealed that, first, although admissions officers began their roles with the expectation of functioning as professionals in planning and evaluating the entire admissions process, their actual duties were largely confined to promotional activities. Second, they experienced status-based discrimination and organizational marginalization even while collaborating with administrative staff within the same admissions team. Third, despite the challenging environment, admissions officers continuously motivated themselves to learn and grow, gradually building a sense of professional identity. Based on these findings, this study suggests the need to redefine the integrated roles of admissions officers in the context of regional private universities and to establish systematic institutional support. It further emphasizes the importance of building a sustainable higher education system rooted in collaboration among regional universities, high schools, and local governments.