About Drexel University

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a world-class, comprehensive, R1 research institution and a global leader in experiential education. For more than 100 years, our renowned Cooperative Education (co-op) program has enabled students to gain professional work experience before they graduate, setting them apart from their peers.

Committed to becoming the nation's most civically engaged university, Drexel supports engagement along three dimensions: research and academic programs that directly benefit communities, business practices that support equitable local and regional economic development, and public service by students, faculty, and staff. Our engagement is long-term, multigenerational, and fundamental to the University's mission, heritage, and future.

At Drexel, we are devoted to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that promotes healthy lifestyles and is based on integrity, trust, and respect. We center equity, inclusion and belonging, and incorporate an anti-racism approach to our strategic plan, organizational systems, policies and structures.

Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world-class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award-winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non-certification programs. And as part of the tuition offering to employees, Drexel participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. These are just a sample of our extensive benefit offerings. Please see this Benefits Brochure for more information.

Vice President of Enrollment Management - Admissions and Retention

Apply now Job no: 503418

Work type: Full-Time

Location: University City - Philadelphia, PA

Categories: Drexel University, Enrollment Management and Student Success

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management, this position is responsible for the office of Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions, On-line Student Enrollment, Pre-College Programs, University Registrar, International Students and Scholars Services, Strategic Enrollment Services, and Admission Operations. The vice president will partner closely with colleagues in the enrollment management and student success division to drive NTR strategy to meet revenue and enrollment goals at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels for both online and on-campus. This leader will join Drexel as the University is reshaping this division to create an enrollment and student success strategy that is forward-thinking, innovative, and dynamic, maintaining academic quality and moving Drexel to higher levels of institutional distinction. This position represents a significant opportunity to help shape the vision for recruitment across all student populations, student retention, and student success to achieve the institution's overall goals and objectives.

One of the major goals of an institution of higher education is to create cohesion between the academic, administrative, and co-curricular supports on campus to maximize student development and persistence. As Drexel University aims to create a culture of student success, it is critical to ensure alignment of all aspects of the student experience. Enrollment Management and Student Success (EMSS) will connect and strengthen efforts between multiple offices and departments in an effort to create a seamless Drexel student experience.

Depending upon previous experience, this position may also have responsibility for retention initiatives, and supervise the Assistant VP who oversees the Academic Resource Center (ARC), Inter-College Advising, Center for Learning and Academic Success Services (CLASS), the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (URM STEM NSF Grant) and the Center for Military and Veteran Services. These units support the strategic student success initiatives within EMSS and contribute to the greater university-wide retention efforts, including the Drexel 2030 Strategic Plan.

They will also ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations and all effective and responsible business practices. They will provide information and support on federal and state issues to the Office of the President, the Office of the General Counsel, the Senior Vice President, and others. When called upon, they will represent the University on the state and national stage. The vice president will focus on best practices in recruitment while balancing the enrollment needs of the institution. The individual is expected to be creative and empowered to make bold moves supporting institutional goals.

Essential Functions

• Serve as an innovative and strategic contributor to the leadership team in the Enrollment Management and Student Success division.
• Lead Drexel in the development of the optimal 21st-century multi-modal recruitment strategy with a focus on the student life cycle and success measures while enhancing communication around college enrollment, right fit, degree value, life-long learning, practical experience, and career advancement as well as student success strategies.
• Utilize strategic tools to shape an increasingly competitive undergraduate student body and support a division that creates the framework for the optimal Drexel student experience.
• Work closely with the Senior Vice President, members of EMSS and the University to craft a recruitment strategy to meet the needs of students across the enrollment continuum that supports the University's evolving strategic enrollment plan.
• Supervise a staff of approximately 100 positions, including professional and support staff.
• Oversee an operation and staff budget of approximately $12 million.
• Challenge and support Drexel as it grows to be more student ready and student supportive while easing major changes, degree completion, prior learning assessment, transfer course articulation, pre-college engagement, higher education partnerships, all with a growth mindset.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Analytics to analyze quantitative data with an experienced eye to shape strategic directions with integrity.
• Continue developing a culture of service, student support, and University-wide collaboration while ensuring effective use of fiscal resources to meet institutional goals.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of Drexel policies around admission, recruitment, scholarship, articulation, credit transfer, territory management, academic policies, advising, and make appropriate adjustments to lead an effort that is proactive and responsive to market forces and University needs.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations.
• Provide effective and efficient management of all University, state, and federal student aid, as well as institutional admission, credit, and academic policies.
• Conduct assessments of best-in-market tools for efficient and effective recruitment and student success as needed.
• Serve as part of the Enrollment Management and Student Success senior team and act as an expert in recruitment and enrollment, leading community-wide conversations and working in unison to execute the vision of University leadership.
• Serve as a public face of and a key spokesperson for the University and maintain excellent relationships in state and national conversations on student recruitment, success, enrollment, transfer, admission, and the changing post-secondary education environment, and at professional meetings and consortia.
• Serve as a partner with campus leaders across varying levels to ensure student focused practices and plans to create, nurture, and grow a vibrantly engaged student body.
• Maintain a firm grasp and support for the central ethos of a Drexel education, mission, and character.
• Work effectively with individuals interested in the process of attracting, shaping, retaining, and graduating Drexel's student body.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master's Degree.
• Minimum of 8 years of senior-level experience in university recruitment and retention, preferably within an operation focused on enrollment management and student success.
• Proven effectiveness and expertise in recruitment across all levels and modalities of higher education both international and domestic.
• Experience participating in leadership and management within admissions, processing and operations, recruitment, University Registrar operations as part of recruitment and overall student life cycle management, international, pre-college programs, enrollment and student success on the state, regional, and national level.
• Genuine enjoyment in leading the enrollment functions in support of institutional goals and objectives.
• Experience leading successful strategic retention initiatives that promote student success.
• Ability to be empathetic and have difficult conversations in a supportive way.
• Knowledge of best practices nationally in the dynamic and changing landscape of higher education enrollment.
• Knowledge of successful transfer strategies and structures.
• Experience developing recruitment plans and models in support of student success, net tuition revenue, and an outstanding student experience.
• Ability to think creatively and consider the impact of admissions and financial aid outcomes on the University as a whole.
• Experience managing complex budgets.
• Experience assessing the effectiveness of recruitment strategies, territory management, communication plans, recruitment events, and direct student marketing.
• Experience collaborating and incorporating predictive and prescriptive analytics to achieve strategic goals.
• Willingness to embrace and advocate for the University's mission and values.
• Ability to maintain vision for the future of recruitment, student lifecycle and enrollment/student success for both domestic and international students.
• Highly attuned understanding of motivation.
• Strong persuasion skills to talk with internal and external audiences including faculty, trustees, alums, parents, prospective and current students, guidance counselors, legislators, etc. to advance enrollment efforts.
• Ability to empower staff to execute decisions with good judgment and responsiveness.
• Ability to develop a cohesive working relationship between the offices supervised, as well as between offices within the division and throughout the institution.
• Understanding of the value of technological innovations in enrollment.
• Ability to lead the process of harnessing emerging technologies for best use within all student recruitment/retention and enrollment management functions.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills.
• Resilience and positive attitude with a sense of humor.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Ability to obtain a passport.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree
• Experience in a senior leadership position at a nationally recognized institution or a national education organization.

Advertised: Jul 11 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Aug 11 2024 Eastern Daylight Time