Job Description

Truman State University

Truman State University—Missouri’s only public liberal arts and sciences university—seeks an Assistant or Associate Vice President (AVP) for Enrollment Management and Strategy who will be a bold, highly adaptive, and innovative leader who will design, implement, and assess new enrollment strategies that will build upon strengths and enhance enrollment in the context of a changing demographic. The AVP reports directly to the University’s President and serves as the chief enrollment officer of the University.

History of Truman

Founded in 1867, Truman State University (Truman; the University) has evolved through several name changes, each reflecting a new institutional mission. In 1985, when the passage of Missouri House Bill 196 changed the University’s mission from an open-enrollment, regional, multipurpose university to Missouri’s only statewide public liberal arts and sciences institution, the University’s name was Northeast Missouri State University. In 1996, the name of the University was changed to Truman State University to reflect that mission. Since its founding, Truman has maintained a strong focus on student-centered learning. Every part of the student journey is designed to help Truman graduates meet the challenges of the modern world and pursue lives filled with rewarding work.

A vibrant community of teacher-scholars engaged with an academically talented student body, Truman is a residential university providing its approximately 3,900 students with a distinctive blend of liberal arts and sciences and professional programs. Truman is nationally recognized for the quality of educational opportunities it offers and the pathways it has developed from college to career. The institution is committed to a strong focus on high-impact learning experiences, and more than one-third of Truman’s undergraduates go on to pursue graduate education. Truman is consistently ranked among the nation’s best colleges. For 29 consecutive years, U.S. News and World Report has recognized Truman as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest Region. Other accolades include Washington Monthly, which listed Truman as the No. 12 best master’s university in the nation, and Fiske Guide to College magazine, which ranked Truman as one of the top 10 public schools named as a “Best Buy” based on academic quality and affordability. In addition to its commitment to excellence, the University promotes a welcoming culture that puts people first and supports students, faculty, and staff.

Truman Today

Located in Kirksville, Missouri, Truman State University plays a vital role in the thriving regional center of northeast Missouri. The campus spreads across 180 acres and is recognized as a Tree Campus USA School. As a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university, Truman is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). Across an expansive academic portfolio that includes the liberal arts and sciences and professional studies, Truman offers 51 undergraduate majors, 74 undergraduate minors, two undergraduate certificates, and various micro-credentials. Truman also offers 13 master's degree programs and two graduate certificates. Outside the classroom, the Truman Bulldogs compete at the NCAA Division II level in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Truman offers 16 Division II sports teams, as well as eSports and intramural athletics.

Leadership

Dr. Sue Thomas, the President of Truman State University, has led the institution since 2016. President Thomas is an appointed commissioner of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, Chair of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Council of Presidents, and also serves on the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Commissioner’s Advisory Group. She previously served as Chair of the Council on Public Higher Education and President of the Board of Directors of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. President Thomas has built a strong senior leadership team, and the Assistant/Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategy will be joining a collaborative and collegial executive leadership body.

For more information about Truman State University, please visit www.truman.edu

About Kirksville, Missouri

Nestled in the heart of northeast Missouri, Kirksville has practically everything you need within easy reach: restaurants, farmers’ market, nightlife, local festivals, outdoor concerts, and historical points of interest. Founded in 1842 as the county seat for Adair County, Kirksville serves as the center for the region’s business, industry, retail, health care, education, and recreation activities.

Three large conservation areas in the region offer opportunities to explore nature within a 15-minute radius, including fishing, hiking, kayaking, and swimming. Kirksville offers the best of both worlds, with its friendly atmosphere and convenient location within easy driving distance of several major cities, including Columbia, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Kirksville is connected to Chicago (ORD) by Contour Airlines ( www.contourairlines.com), with direct flights twice daily.

For more information about Kirksville visit www.visitkirksville.com

Assistant or Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategy

The Opportunity
The Assistant/Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategy (AVP) reports directly to the University’s President and serves as the chief enrollment officer of the University. This position is responsible for providing strategic vision, comprehensive leadership, effective planning, enrollment and admissions related program development, budget oversight, data analysis, and institutional coordination for strategic enrollment management and the student enrollment experience. This position directs the university-wide effort of strategic enrollment planning and execution, working in close collaboration with marketing, institutional effectiveness, the budget office, academic affairs, and student engagement.

The AVP will lead the charge as an innovative and visionary leader with a deep understanding of trends, best practices, and data-driven approaches for strategic enrollment management. The AVP will provide strategic and tactical leadership in applying a systematic enrollment management approach in areas such as data analysis, recruitment tactics, admissions technology, financial aid packaging policies, and transition practices. The AVP supports student access and success through strong partnerships and collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, academic departments, and senior administrators to serve a diverse student body of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

The AVP will lead a team that includes the Director of Admissions and the Director of Financial Aid, eight Associate/Assistant Directors, with a total of approximately 30 team members exclusive of student workers (hosts, ambassadors, orientation leaders, office workers, etc.)

Key Responsibilities
This position is responsible for the overall leadership and administration of the offices of Admission and Financial Aid and has a key role in setting institutional strategy related to student enrollment and the prospective student experience. Key responsibilities include:

• Work closely with the Office of the President and the President’s Executive Leadership Team to develop a strategic planning framework for enrollment and establish and continuously improve a Strategic Enrollment Management plan that aligns with the University mission, values, and priorities as a state-designated liberal arts and sciences institution.
• Ensure cross-functional collaboration to ensure all stakeholders are involved and invested in identified strategies and tactics to support healthy enrollment levels from admission through completion.
• Serve as a representative and advocate, both externally and internally, related to University enrollment data and analysis, local/regional/national enrollment trends, enrollment planning, and implementation of enrollment strategies and tactics.
• Ensure institutional adherence to critical federal, state, and institutional compliance mandates related to student enrollment and the functional areas of oversight.
  

Essential Functions

• Execute management activities that include strategic planning and decision-making; personnel management, budget and resource management; and assessment and continuous improvement of the division’s functional areas.
• Create and maintain collaborative and productive partnerships across Academic Affairs, Student Engagement, administrative/systems services, and shared governance bodies to integrate effective enrollment planning and management efforts.
• Effectively manage, evaluate, and provide guidance and support for professional development plans and goals for assigned areas of responsibility and assigned staff in accordance with good management practices.

• Work in close partnership with Marketing and Public Relations on marketing plans for the University including outreach and advertising designed to attract and recruit students from targeted segments consistent with the University’s mission and core populations.
• Generate, distribute and interpret data (i.e., enrollment reports, trend data, analysis, etc.) to support data-driven decision making and inform the campus community about recruitment and retention activities.
• Formulate and manage the annual budget to achieve strategic goals.
• Leverage financial aid awarding strategies ensuring financial aid packaging policies support the mission and maximize enrollment and net tuition goals. Provide necessary oversight to ensure that all funds are awarded timely, efficiently, align with budget, and comply with internal and external requirements including Title IV.
• Develop, supervise, and lead a high-performing unit that continuously improves its methods and processes, is focused on customer service and collaboration in a responsive, innovative, analytical, energetic, results-oriented, and student-centered environment.
• Understand technological innovations and lead the process of leveraging technology investments to refine operational procedures, policies, and standards.

Qualifications

• For the assistant level – a baccalaureate degree and strong preference for five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in admissions. A master’s degree is preferred.
• For the associate level – a baccalaureate degree and strong preference for ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in admissions. A master’s degree is preferred.

Required Competencies

• High level of skill in evaluating research and data to identify potential solutions, resolve problems, and provide information.
• Demonstrated success in planning, developing, and implementing comprehensive enrollment management initiatives while collaborating with constituencies across the institution.
• A sophisticated understanding of the applications of technology to the functions of enrollment management (e.g., BANNER, SLATE, AI technology, etc.).
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals, and the ability to write clearly and persuasively.
• Ability to influence and mobilize a group of individuals to work toward a common goal and positively represent the mission of Truman.

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and include a base salary and a competitive benefits package.

To make a nomination, provide a referral, or for additional information, please use the contact information below. While applications and nominations will be accepted until a successful candidate has been appointed, interested individuals are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible for full consideration as review of submitted materials will begin immediately. The start date is negotiable.

To apply, please submit a resume and/or vita, and cover letter, to: TrumanAVPEnrollment@buffkinbaker.com

Ken Carrick, Partner

980.296.5401

Janny DeLoache, Associate Partner

704-377-7828

Truman State University is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring, promotion, or any other employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or Missouri law. We are committed to fair and equal treatment in all aspects of employment. Inquiries about these policies may be directed to the Institutional Compliance Officer, 660-785-4354, and titleix@truman.edu

Truman is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate form or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources, McClain Hall 101, 100 E. Normal, Kirksville, MO 63501, 660-785-4031 or hrstaff@truann.edu