Vice President for Enrollment Success

President's Office

University of St. Thomas - Houston

The University of Saint Thomas (UST), a growing, innovative Catholic university, seeks a Vice President for Enrollment Success. UST is committed to forming students and serving society in accord with the religious and intellectual traditions of the Catholic Church as expressed in Ex Corde Ecclesiae. Founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers, the University of Saint Thomas is an internationally respected, co-educational, comprehensive university. For more than 75 years, UST has been successfully preparing students for lives that flourish and professions that serve - throughout Houston and across the globe. UST enrolls a student body that reflects the Catholic Church's global reach with nearly 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students on its home campus in Houston's beautiful Museum District, locations throughout the metro, and online. UST's gorgeous campus is adjacent to the Innovation Corridor, downtown, and the world's largest concentration of medical research and care, the Texas Medical Center.

Summary

The Vice President for Enrollment Success (VPES) will join UST at a time of tremendous growth and strength. A half decade of consecutive, record setting enrollment will welcome the new VPES and challenge her/him to accelerate that trend. The division currently encompasses: Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar, Rising Stars, and the Veterans' Success Center. Strong teams in the division will greet this new leader and present opportunities to expand a proven strategy of audience segmentation and service. The VPES will help lead UST to realize its most ambitious strategic vision yet, Greater Things.

The ideal candidate must be a strategic innovator, an accomplished enrollment professional, and dedicated to UST's mission. Proven proficiency to leverage data and achieve year-over-year enrollment success is expected. This individual will understand UST's many audiences and develop new ones. Continued growth demands enhanced processes and infrastructure. The VPES will be responsible to build that capacity. She/he will ensure the entire student journey is a premier experience and coalesce the division's professionals around a vision of success and cohesion.

Critical to success will be the VPES's ability to grasp, embrace, and greatly extend UST's Catholic identity to new markets. Demonstrated success to enroll students from target audiences and experiences, including first-time, transfer, international, and adult learners, is important. In particular, graduate student enrollment is a segment ripe for increase. The VPES will possess and articulate a deep and authentic commitment to the university's values of Goodness, Discipline, Knowledge, and Community. As a key member of the President's Cabinet, the VPES will report to the President.

Job Description

The VPES will provide entrepreneurial vision and leadership for the University's strategic enrollment initiatives. A major priority will be the design, implementation, and evaluation of a strategic enrollment management plan that includes innovative solutions that foster and support recruitment, enrollment, and retention, and ensure comprehensive student support services to aid in their success.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop the vision and strategic direction for student recruitment efforts and have primary responsibility for articulating and implementing a strategic, entrepreneurial, and data-driven enrollment management plan.
• The VPES will work closely with the University President, Division of Academic and Student Affairs, and others across the University to develop and implement enrollment strategies driven by institutional priorities and provide leadership in fulfilling the University's recruitment and retention goals. That leadership includes having the ability to generate excitement and motivate others to collaborate and unite in achieving those goals.
• Provide strategic direction in advancing the University's progress towards its Greater Things 2030 Strategic Vision. Serve as an advocate to create a campus community that prepares students to become transformative members of society. Strengthen partnerships and collaboration with K-12, business and industry, community-based organizations, and philanthropic partners to expand and grow current programming and identify new ways to support students.
• Provide leadership in the following areas of service: Undergraduate Admissions, International & Graduate Recruitment, Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, Office of the Registrar, Rising Stars, and Veteran Success Center.
• Lead a transparent and forward-looking budgeting process for the enrollment area that aims high, projects clear outcomes for expenditures, and evaluates achievements in the context of cost effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible leadership in the areas of enrollment, admissions, or financial aid and strong knowledge of higher education market and societal trends affecting student recruitment and enrollment. A combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in enrollment management and a record of success increasing enrollment as well as net tuition revenue.
• Evidence of entrepreneurial thinking that leads to new strategies and a strong vision; ability to formulate short- and long-term strategic admissions, enrollment, and retention plans and policies.
• Knowledge of regional demographics and an understanding of student trends regarding educational interests and needs.

Other Requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Demonstrate creative leadership, innovation, and a mindset of continuous improvement; enthusiasm; a style that is genuine, open, and engaging; good judgment in assessing where improvements are needed; the ability to make appropriate connections and build synergies; and an open and creative approach to problem-solving and a willingness to address issues.
• Effectively lead cross-functional work team efforts to accomplish the goals of the Enrollment Success
• Demonstrate an understanding of administrative leadership, direction, and vision in the development and promotion of programs and implementation of student engagement activities.
• Identify national best practices in enrollment management, student success, persistence, and retention.

Project a strong positive image of the university with parents, students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Application or Nomination Process

Applicants should submit a résumé or CV as well as a letter of interest specifically addressing the elements outlined above and why UST and this opportunity are of particular interest. Include the names and contact information of four references (references will not be contacted without prior consent of the candidate). Nominations should include the name and contact information of the nominee. Please visit here to apply and for more information.

The University of St. Thomas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.