Vice President for Enrollment Management

Widener University seeks a strategic, innovative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as the new Vice President for Enrollment Management. The Vice President for Enrollment Management will report directly to President Julie E. Wollman and will oversee a division that newly combines undergraduate and graduate admissions and traditional elements of enrollment management like the bursar, registrar, financial aid, and campus one-card. The Vice President will have the opportunity to design a cohesive, nimble, and innovative enrollment strategy and operation that encompasses the full range of students whom Widener serves, from traditional full-time undergraduates, to undergraduates seeking accelerated or 4+1 combination degrees, to part-time and full-time graduate students, to adults seeking career advancement or degree completion through continuing or professional education.

The creation of this merged undergraduate/graduate enrollment division and the elevation of the chief enrollment officer role to the President’s Leadership Team reflects Widener’s bold and entrepreneurial commitment to addressing the challenges facing higher education. Widener is ideally positioned for enrollment innovation as it offers a wide range of liberal arts and professional disciplines, a variety of degrees and programs, and multiple learning modalities across its eight schools and colleges and three campuses. The main campus’s location 20 minutes from Philadelphia on the I-95 corridor is another key asset.

While Widener has a track record of being nimble and fast-moving, the University’s culture at all levels is warm, friendly, and people-focused. The new Vice President must reflect this combination of speed and compassion in their leadership style and in the substance of their work. Widener’s leaders across the University are eager to partner with their enrollment colleague to imagine new and better ways to fulfill Widener’s mission of empowering its community of learners to discover and create better futures. While the admissions functions of the University’s two law schools will not report to this position, those deans are also committed to a deep and fruitful partnership.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Since its founding in 1821, Widener has undergone multiple transformations to become a selective, nationally ranked, doctoral university. Today, Widener offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs to approximately 6,500 students across three campuses and online.

Widener’s distinctive collection of programs reflects its foundational belief that the liberal arts and sciences and professional/pre-professional programs are mutually reinforcing. The University is proud to embrace the following eight schools and colleges:

• College of Arts & Sciences • College of Health & Human Services • School of Business Administration • School of Engineering • School of Nursing Widener University, Vice President for Enrollment Management Page 2

• Commonwealth Law School (in Harrisburg, PA) • Delaware Law School (in Wilmington, DE) • Center for Graduate & Continuing Studies

In addition, Widener has developed a number of innovative interdisciplinary offerings and research programs, including: new undergraduate majors in Business Analytics and Robotics Engineering (one of a few in the country): pioneering interprofessional graduate programs in the health sciences that mirror the way the health professionals work together in today’s healthcare settings; accelerated programs that provide the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years; a pioneering graduate program in Human Sexuality; a PsyD/MBA program that prepares executive coaches; groundbreaking multidisciplinary research and programs addressing challenges in neuroscience and medical care; and a sustainability law and policy program combining environmental science with legal education.

Widener University’s main campus in the City of Chester is located just off I-95 and is only twenty minutes from Philadelphia, the nation’s sixth-largest city and home to world-class art, culture, sports, entertainment, and history. The main campus sits on 110 acres and has benefited from more than $220 million in new construction and renovations over the past decade. A space master planning process is currently underway to evaluate the physical plant and align it with the University’s strategy.

On its other two campuses, Widener has the unusual distinction of hosting two law schools that operate independently from each other: Widener University Commonwealth Law School and Widener University Delaware Law School. Widener University Law School was separated into two independently accredited and operating law schools in 2015 in recognition that the two campuses had developed powerful and distinctive identities and career pathways specific to their geographic locations. Widener University Commonwealth Law is focused in particular on the interaction of law and government and leverages its location in the Pennsylvania state capital to enrich students’ experiences. Widener University Delaware Law, the only law school in Delaware, has particular strength in corporate law and is an integral part of the legal community in America’s corporate capital.

MISSION AND VALUES

Widener recently articulated a new statement of mission and of university values. The University is embarking on a new and truly innovative university strategy, which was developed in 2020. The strategy, Agility Experienced, focuses on agility and creating an exceptional student experience.

A Commitment to Academic Rigor and Student Success

At the heart of a Widener education is the transformation of its students into scholars, leaders, and globally engaged citizens. Its faculty, supported by staff and administrators, meet this goal in several ways. A 12:1 student/faculty ratio allows for close interactions between faculty and students and facilitates experiential learning.

Since the turn of the 21st century, Widener has emerged as a leading university. Strong leadership, shared vision, a global perspective, and an empowered university community have combined to position Widener as a university on the move and one to watch internationally, nationally, and regionally. Widener's powerhouse, top-ranked programs make full use of the numerous interdisciplinary opportunities at the University. Widener University, Vice President for Enrollment Management Page 3

The University is committed to the highest levels of academic rigor. The Delaware Law and Commonwealth Law Schools are ranked among the best law schools nationally by The Princeton Review. Widener’s Social Work program was ranked as the top online social work graduate program. Widener’s School of Business Administration and its Small Business Development Center have been named a SAP Next-Gen Lab for Design Thinking and Analytics, making it the only small business development center to earn this designation out of 1,100 centers nationwide. The School of Nursing has been designated as one of six Centers of Excellence for Advancing the Science of Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing, the oldest professional nursing organization in the United States.

A Commitment to Civic Engagement

Widener’s civic engagement is known, valued, promoted, and lived by senior administrators, faculty, staff, and undergraduate and graduate students alike. A 21st-century Widener education looks to the surrounding communities as partners. The University operates numerous clinics and centers on and around its campuses. Through its leadership and conviction to work with and in the local community, Widener has created an environment of service and a willingness to engage in partnership. This environment is enhanced by and reinforces the academic rigor and focus on student transformation that is at the heart of the Widener mission.

The Widener Partnership Charter School (WPCS), the state’s first university-sponsored charter school, offers a holistic curriculum for grades K to 8. The University supports the charter school by providing leadership support, access to University facilities, and administrative, fundraising, and technology support. In turn, WPCS provides learning opportunities for Widener students in Education, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Physical Therapy, and Nursing. Graduates from WPCS who meet criteria for admission to Widener University are guaranteed a generous financial aid package.

A Commitment to Leadership Development

Increasingly, a Widener education is about global leadership. Widener encourages all of its students to partake in short- or long-term international study and makes numerous opportunities available. Students in various fields in the College of Health and Human Services work together to provide services to one of the largest orphanages in China. Undergraduate engineering students helped to bring electricity to a rural village in Panama, and undergraduate environmental science students have conducted research in the Amazon forest and have worked with farmers in Costa Rica to encourage the growth of organic, sustainable, shade-grown coffee. The University has also established a greater global presence through partnerships with Chongqing Technology and Business University in China and Dongseo University in South Korea.

Widener regularly invites nationally recognized leaders to the Main Campus to speak about pivotal leadership moments and share their wisdom with the Widener community. Last year, the University brought Disney's Duncan Wardle and Samsung's Terry Halvorsen to speak to the campus community. This year, the University is bringing Bryan Alexander, a higher education futurist to discuss climate change and the future of higher education post-pandemic. Similarly, for the past nine years, Widener has co- sponsored the High School Leadership Awards with television station NBC 10. These awards recognize high school student leaders throughout the Philadelphia metropolitan area. In 2012, there were 69 students recognized by their high schools; in 2020, there were 159. The honored students are invited to take part in a leadership experience at the University and receive a $20,000 scholarship if they enroll at Widener. Widener University, Vice President for Enrollment Management Page 4

UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP

The 10th President of Widener University, Dr. Julie E. Wollman is a passionate, fearless, and effective leader. Guided by a relentless pursuit of excellence, she has articulated a clear vision and distinct goals for the University focused on agility and an unparalleled student experience.

Leading with enthusiasm, authenticity, and respect for others, Dr. Wollman is committed to building community and bringing people from varying perspectives together. Dr. Wollman launched Common Ground, a nationally recognized campus initiative designed to encourage conversation on challenging topics.

Dr. Wollman serves on the boards of local, regional, and national organizations, including the Riverfront Alliance of Delaware County, an economic development organization, where she serves as Board Vice- President; the Global Philadelphia Association; the Middle Atlantic Conference of the NCAA where she serves as Board Secretary; the Baldwin School; the American Association of University Administrators; and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia where she chairs the Regional College and University President’s Alliance.

As chair of the President’s Alliance she has led a project to unite the many member institutions, in partnership with local business and industry leaders, to advocate for the value of higher education as a public good, essential to ensuring a thriving region and strong, healthy communities.

Prior to joining Widener University, Dr. Wollman served as president of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and she has held academic leadership positions at Wheelock College, Worcester State University, and Rhode Island College. She earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University, her master of science from the University of Pennsylvania, and her doctor of philosophy from New York University.

Dr. Wollman is a frequent commentator and dynamic speaker on education-related policy issues, on higher education access and affordability, and on leadership, appearing regularly in print, online, and broadcast media outlets. She is the recipient of numerous teaching, academic, and professional awards and recognitions. A lifelong educator and advocate for the transformative power of education, she regularly teaches courses to incarcerated individuals.

ROLE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

The new Vice President for Enrollment Management will report directly to President Julie Wollman and oversee a number of significant transformations within the division. Currently, the enrollment division reports to Vice President for Administration and Finance Joseph Baker, who will retire in June 2021. In addition, the enrollment division currently includes only undergraduate admissions, but under the leadership of the new Vice President for Enrollment Management, will incorporate graduate admissions as well. The offices of the bursar, registrar, and student financial aid services are currently housed within the enrollment division and are expected to remain in place through the transition to a new Vice President. Similarly, the admissions and registrar functions at Widener’s Delaware and Commonwealth Law School campuses will continue operating under the supervision of their respective deans (and law school financial aid staff will continue reporting centrally) even after the new Vice President is appointed.

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Under the new organizational structure, the Vice President will oversee the following direct reports:

• Tom Malloy, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management • Courtney Kelly, Executive Director of Admissions, Undergraduate • Amanda Alleman, Director of Admissions and Enrollment, Graduate

The new Vice President will sit on the President’s Leadership team, which currently includes:

• Provost • Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff • Vice President for Administration and Finance • Vice President for Library and Information Services • Vice President for University Advancement.

The new Vice President will be expected to bring a bold, forward-looking perspective to the University’s thinking about enrollment in the face of the changing landscape of higher education. How can Widener most effectively capitalize on its unusually wide range of programs and offerings for a private institution of its size? What is the most powerful way to expand existing partnerships with administrators and staff in student affairs and athletics to strengthen Widener’s enrollment processes and communications? What new directions hold the most promise? In what ways can Widener most effectively compete in the crowded online/hybrid education market? How can Widener’s proximity to the city of Philadelphia and its commitment to the surrounding local community of Chester be most powerfully integrated into its mission and priorities? In exploring all of these questions, the Vice President will work collaboratively with the President, fellow Vice Presidents, faculty, staff in academic and student affairs, and individuals on all three of Widener’s campuses.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

The new Vice President for Enrollment Management will have the opportunity to build and shape a newly integrated undergraduate/graduate enrollment division as well as explore bold possibilities for addressing the challenges facing higher education today. In addition, the Vice President for Enrollment Management will:

• Work in close partnership with leaders in academic affairs and student affairs to design and implement a nimble and innovative approach to enrollment that encompasses Widener’s diverse student populations, disciplines, and modes of learning: The Vice President will seek to fulfill Widener’s mission of empowering its community of learners to discover and create better futures by enrolling thoughtfully balanced classes of diverse, excellent students whether they are traditional full-time undergraduates or online cohorts of working adults. The Vice President will have the opportunity to partner across the entire university and to experiment with new strategies and approaches for proactively addressing the demographic and financial challenges currently facing all of higher education, and to optimize resources in service of Widener’s mission.

• Assess Widener’s current enrollment practices and philosophy against national best practices and integrate the multiple departments and levels within the division into an integrated whole: The Vice President for Enrollment Management will bring deep expertise in admissions and financial aid to their initial evaluation of Widener’s current practices related to data collection and Widener University, Vice President for Enrollment Management Page 6

analysis, student outreach, communications and marketing, planning and projections, and financial aid optimization. By bringing together undergraduate and graduate admissions into a single division, the Vice President will look for opportunities for the different groups to learn from each other and to create a more powerful and effective whole.

• Proactively partner with the Chief Diversity Officer, faculty and staff leaders, and others throughout the University to ensure that Widener is a place where all are welcome and can thrive: In addition to extending even further Widener’s efforts to attract and retain an excellent and diverse student body through enrollment strategy and practices, the new Vice President will be personally committed to contributing to Widener’s culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They will work to ensure that Widener is a place where all students and employees are supported and can thrive. The Vice President should bring a sophisticated understanding of best practices around DEI to this role in order to be an effective leader, ally, and advocate.

• Balance the insights gained from data with the power of personal recruitment: The Vice President will continue to ensure at a high level that decisions about which prospects and geographic regions to target, how best to package financial aid, etc., are firmly grounded in data, with the help of analytics developed via the Slate platform. The Vice President will combine a strong command of how to most effectively use data to build strategy, with an understanding of the human side of recruiting and admissions.

• Ensure that Widener communicates its impact and value clearly, creatively, and powerfully to each of its many prospective audiences: Working closely with colleagues in University Relations, the Vice President will ensure that Widener’s messaging with prospective students across all platforms persuasively articulates the distinctive value and meaning of a Widener education.

• Support and mentor the division’s staff, both individually and collectively: As the undergraduate and graduate admissions are joined together under the new Vice President, they will provide leadership and support to ensure that all of the division’s people and processes are included in the process of developing a unified, cohesive whole. In addition, the Vice President will provide individual mentorship to staff at all levels to help them develop professionally and achieve their goals, as well as Widener’s.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The ideal candidate will bring a track record of demonstrated success as both an enrollment professional and a collaborative leader. In addition, the Vice President should bring many of the following qualities and characteristics:

• Deep and broad expertise in high-level enrollment strategy as well as ground-level operations, including an awareness of national trends and best practices in the field;

• Experience leading an organization through a time of change, including the ability to listen well, provide a vision, and inspire collaboration;

• Strong entrepreneurial curiosity and the ability to both imagine new approaches to enrollment and bring innovative ideas to life; Widener University, Vice President for Enrollment Management Page 7

• A rich and nuanced understanding of DEI principles and best practices and genuine enthusiasm for serving as a key partner in Widener’s efforts to ensure an inclusive, equitable environment for all;

• Facility with data, in particular a clear sense of which data are most important to collect, how data can most effectively be deployed, and what data’s limitations may be;

• A commitment to serving the needs of all of Widener’s students – undergraduate, graduate, and adult/online – and an appreciation of the potential synergies and opportunities this diversity offers;

• Experience developing relationships of shared trust and rapport with faculty university-wide in order to fully appreciate each school’s and college’s particular strengths and priorities, while also demonstrating an understanding and appreciation of shared governance;

• A transparent, compassionate, and accessible leadership style;

• A high-degree of comfort in presenting data and updates to the Board of Trustees and other key audiences with gravitas, concision, and insight;

• A commitment to advancing Widener’s commitment to student success, employee satisfaction, civic engagement, and leadership development.

CONTACT

For best consideration, please send all nominations and applications to:

Sue May, Partner Alyssa Perez, Senior Associate Matthew Marsallo, Managing Associate Storbeck Search [email protected]

Widener University is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment practices on any basis including sex, race, national origin or ethnicity, religion, disability, status as a veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or other protected status covered by federal, state or local law.