The Opportunity
Olivet College, a private liberal arts institution located in Olivet, MI, seeks an experienced and innovative leader to serve as Vice President for Enrollment Management (VPEM).
Reporting to the President and serving as a member of both the President’s Cabinet and the Executive Council, the VPEM is responsible for the development, direction, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive strategic enrollment management plans and activities.
Olivet College was founded in 1844 on the principle that the future of humanity rests in the hands, hearts, and minds of those who will take responsibility for themselves and others in an increasingly diverse society. Open since its founding 179 years ago to all regardless of race, gender, or ability to pay, Olivet College was founded as the first college in Michigan to admit women and persons of color on a co-equal basis with white men and proudly defines itself by who it includes, rather than who it excludes. As such, it is one of the most diverse private liberal arts institutions in the state and actively seeks diversity in its students and employees.
The undergraduate student body of 1,000 comprises a strong mixture of first-generation, urban, and rural students from all socioeconomic backgrounds, with approximately half qualifying annually for Federal Pell Grants; approximately 30% are students of color. The past decade has seen four of the five largest entering classes in college history and a doubling of the diversity of the student body. The rapidly developing adult professional and graduate programs enroll approximately 100 students in several delivery modes, including synchronously online via video and asynchronous online learning. In some programs, students may move flexibly across modes from session to session, selecting the mode that best suits their learning and lifestyle. These highly innovative programs are unique in their delivery offerings and extend the College’s commitment to a high-tech, high-touch, relationship-based educational experience to an adult professional and graduate market at a distance. Frequently ranked by Washington Monthly in the top quartile of colleges contributing to the public good, Olivet College has also been recognized with the third-lowest average student debt per graduate in the State of Michigan, and lowest among Michigan’s private institutions.
The new VPEM will join the College at an exceptionally exciting and opportune time. Under the 12-year tenure of President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., the College recently launched a bold new vision for the future based on a foundation of the past decades of success. The plan, “Olivet College 2030: A Vision for a Prosperous Future,” sets a bold agenda for the coming decade.
Olivet College seeks a vice president for enrollment management who resonates with this vision of the future and brings the skills, experiences, and passion to help make it a reality.
Olivet College is located 20‑30 minutes from the urban centers of Battle Creek and the capital city of Lansing. Located on I‑69 within a few miles of the I‑94 interchange, the college is centrally located between Detroit and Chicago and conveniently situated to the major population centers of Michigan, Greater Chicago, Northern Indiana-Indianapolis, and Northern Ohio.
The Position
The VPEM will serve as the chief strategic enrollment officer charged with providing leadership in all aspects of recruitment, admission, records, registration, enrollment research, marketing and communications, and financial aid for traditional undergraduate, graduate, adult, and online students. The functional areas in the VPEM portfolio include admissions, student services (registrar, financial aid, and student accounts) and communications and marketing. Choral activities, community service learning, bands, visual art talent recruitment and athletic recruitment are also currently included in the VPEM’s portfolio.
The VPEM is responsible for developing and executing a vision and strategy that drives optimum enrollment levels in alignment with Olivet’s mission which includes building a sustainable traditional campus-based model and leading a forward-thinking equally robust on-line, adult professional, and graduate enrollment program. The VPEM is also responsible for the oversight of the strategic use of financial aid, implementation of best practices related to registration, and development of mechanisms and networks to ensure quality control and that support student success. The VPEM will implement an innovative approach to the practice of enrollment management, foster a culture that values data-informed decision making, innovation, technology utilization, and exceptional customer service. Additionally, the VPEM will work closely with academic, student development, faculty, alumni, institutional advancement, and other leaders to expand academic programs and cultivate an integrated student experience rooted in the core values of the College. The new VPEM will foster a culture that values data-informed decision making, innovation, technology utilization, and forward thinking.
The VPEM oversees 31 staff members, serves as liaison to the Board of Trustees regarding enrollment matters, and is a highly collaborative partner to senior leaders regarding student recruitment, retention, graduation, and success. The VPEM is expected to be a key driver of innovation through initiatives that are strategically planned in accordance with current market factors and opportunities that are specific to Olivet College.
Qualifications
Requirements include a bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) and a minimum of 10 years of undergraduate, graduate, adult, and online enrollment management experience in higher education with evidence of progressively increasing leadership responsibility. The ideal candidate will be an energetic and collaborative leader with extensive experience and demonstrated success in enrollment management, including developing marketing and recruiting strategies, meeting enrollment goals and revenue targets, implementing successful yield strategies and tactics, leveraging financial aid, and developing policies and practices that lead to an exceptional student experience. Demonstrated success in planning, developing, and implementing comprehensive enrollment management initiatives while collaborating effectively with senior leaders and a broad array of internal and external constituencies is required. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned leader who is both a strategic thinker and a tactical doer, known for their fairmindedness, consistency, resourcefulness, and creativity in developing and presenting sound and well thought out ideas. The successful candidate will be communicative and engaging with a personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; be deeply committed to collaboration, relational leadership and creative problem-solving and thinking; and demonstrate exceptional administrative, financial, and managerial acumen. Experience in the development and rollout of new academic and workforce development programs is desired. The selected candidate will have an appreciation and commitment to the history, values, and mission of Olivet College.
Application and Nomination
Review of applications begins May 19, 2023, and continues until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for the new VPEM is late summer/early fall 2023. Interested candidates should apply for this position online via the Williams & Company website at: www.williamscompany.net. Confidential inquiries and/or nominations may be directed to Martha Smiles at: Martha@williamscompany.net or (860) 333-4710.
Please visit Olivet College’s website at: https://www.olivetcollege.edu/
Founded in 1844, Olivet College was the first college by charter in Michigan to admit women and people of color. As part of its commitment to a values-based mission of Education for Individual and Social Responsibility, the College actively seeks diversity in its students, faculty, and staff. Women and members of historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Olivet College is an equal opportunity employer and does take affirmative steps to employ women and minorities.