Vice President for Student Recruitment and Retention

Central Michigan University (CMU) invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Student Recruitment and Retention (VPSRR). The Vice President for Student Recruitment and Retention will lead enrollment, scholarships and financial aid, registration, career development and retention strategies for on and off-campus degree programs at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels, as well as non-degree certificates.  In partnership with the student recruitment and retention team and university leadership, the Vice President will develop a comprehensive multi-year recruitment and retention strategy that addresses objectives, resources and opportunities. The Vice President for Student Recruitment and Retention reports to the President.

 

Supervision Exercised: Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. The Leadership Standards define how leaders at CMU lead and treat others in their teams. Leaders are responsible for seeking input from their teams to continuously improve leadership abilities and demonstration of the standards. Additionally, leaders are responsible for encouraging and supporting the growth and development of those they lead. At CMU, employees are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally, and thus advance CMU’s culture of excellence.

 

Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree; Progressive leadership experience related to higher education enrollment management; Experience with higher education academic operational areas, including admissions, enrollment, financial aid, career development, academic registration and retention; Understanding of federal financial aid guidelines and requirements and experience with complex financial aid strategies and leveraging; Experience with academic record management; Demonstrated success in strategic planning and marketing initiatives that leads to the recruitment of highly qualified students; Expertise with data analysis, research and information technology that supports enrollment; Experience with student recruiting best practices; Demonstrated success in recruiting and retaining transfer and non-traditional students; Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with demonstrated ability to build relationships and interact effectively with a diverse student and staff population; Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion; Experience with academic support and student success functions.

 

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree or higher; Experience with international recruiting.

 

Duties and Responsibilities: Leads the enrollment and retention strategies for on and off- campus degree programs at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels, as well as non-degree certificates; Leads metrics-driven efforts to identify the most desired qualities and optimal mix of students enrolling at CMU in order to meet or exceed annual undergraduate and graduate enrollment and revenue goals; Designs, develops and implements a strategic, comprehensive, multi-year recruitment, enrollment and retention plan for the university; Develops enrollment forecasting models for segmented student populations and leads campus conversations about long-term enrollment goals; Works with campus partners to identify at risk students, develop early warning systems and comprehensive strategies; Manages senior-level personnel and empowers direct reports to effectively lead and support their respective teams; Generates and presents comprehensive institutional enrollment reports to senior organizational decision makers, including the Board of Trustees; Offers innovation in strategy and decision-making to impact the application life cycle, with the intent of yielding improvement to meet both enrollment and university budget goals; Identifies and develops strategies related to advancing the division’s mission; Works in collaboration with University Communications to develop and implement a comprehensive marketing plan that supports achievement of enrollment goals.

Sets and monitors progress toward achieving division priorities; Develops and manages the division budget; Collaborates with senior-level leadership (within the unit, in other units and outside of the university); Oversees the analysis, presentation and utilization of data, especially related to actual and projected student enrollments; Works closely with campus reporting units to identify enrollment trends, develop projections and establish effective strategies for recruitment, admission and financial aid decisions by strategically utilizing statistical models; Serves as a member of the university’s executive leadership team and maintains a strong working relationship with the president and key senior leaders; Advances the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

 

Applications and nominations are now being accepted. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. is assisting Central Michigan University in this search. Initial screening of the applications and nominations will continue until an appointment is made. Individuals who wish to nominate a candidate should submit a brief letter of nomination including contact information for the nominee. Application materials should include a letter addressing how your experiences match the position requirements, curriculum vitae or resume and five references. Submission of documents as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Inquiries, nominations and application materials should be directed to:

Susanne Griffin, Vice President and Managing Director

Ann Bailey, Senior Executive Search Consultant

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.

42 Business Centre Drive, Suite 206

Miramar Beach, Florida 32550

Phone: 850-650-2277 / Fax: 850-650-2272

Email: susannegriffin@greenwoodsearch.com

Email: annbailey@greenwoodsearch.com

CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status or weight (see http://www.cmich.edu/ocrie).