Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Baker University

Baker University, a small, private university with big possibilities and a rich history, seeks an innovative, data-driven and strategic leader to serve as its Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing (VPEM). Rooted in the liberal arts, but with an intentional focus on workforce demands, Baker offers over 50 degree programs and has been recognized for providing the strongest return on investment among its private university peers in Kansas. Baker prides itself on its tight-knit community and personalized learning, with an academic experience characterized by its innovative instructors and rigorous coursework.

As Baker’s 31st president, Dr. Jody Fournier is setting a vision that leverages Baker’s heritage and strong foundation, while embracing new opportunities, innovation, and collaboration to shape a bold and dynamic future for the university. The Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing will be a key member of Dr. Fournier’s Executive Cabinet and will provide leadership and strategic oversight to undergraduate, adult, nursing and graduate admissions and recruitment, financial aid and marketing. The VPEM will be mission aligned but outcomes focused, and will engage campus partners in the development of a strategic enrollment plan that allows Baker to optimize enrollment, shaping the composition of the undergraduate student population and making investments to grow and recapture the adult, online and graduate market that the institution has a long history of serving. To that end, the VPEM will be adept at promoting Baker’s current academic programs, while bringing forth recommendations for new recruitment ideas, marketing strategies, and academic programs that match Baker’s mission, available resources, and market demands.

Building a culture that is heavily data driven, the VPEM will work across the division to modernize and revolutionize enrollment operations, leveraging technology and best practices to improve operational efficiencies and enhance communication to prospective students. They will lead the division with transparency, open communication, and a culture that focuses on both strong support and accountability. The VPEM will be recognized as a thought leader on campus, maintaining a visible presence and ensuring that all stakeholders are working toward a shared vision, championing the successful recruitment, admission and enrollment of traditional age, adult and graduate students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing will provide strategic guidance and recommendations on enrollment strategy, financial aid leveraging, marketing and communications, and enrollment operations. They will work to create a culture of enrollment excellence that ensures targeted enrollment growth and secure and sustainable financial footing for Baker. To be successful, the VPEM will contribute expertise in the following areas:

Leadership

Develop and implement a comprehensive vision and multi-year strategic enrollment management plan across undergraduate, graduate, nursing, and adult learner populations that balances academic quality, headcount and net-tuition revenue goals.
Serve on Baker’s Executive Cabinet, representing the division of Enrollment Management, offering insight, collaboration and information to senior leadership.
Provide input, feedback, and enrollment and marketing expertise to senior leaders across campus about the marketability of Baker’s current program portfolio, while working collaboratively to identify areas for new program development.
Maintain partnerships, both internally and externally, and engage with faculty, deans, directors, department chairs, and Athletics to ensure alignment on enrollment goals and objectives.
Monitor and respond to changing demographics, market trends, and national policy shifts impacting enrollment strategies, and create a nimble and adaptable enrollment operation, allowing the enrollment team to recalibrate strategies when necessary and maintain a flexible approach to meeting goals.
Serve as a thought leader and confidently inspire others to understand and support enrollment strategies; partner with the other senior leaders and the campus community in bringing fresh ideas and new approaches for engaging the entire campus in the effort to recruit and retain excellent, diverse classes.
Represent Baker with wisdom and insight through presentations and conversations, attending conferences, engaging with partner schools, programs and organizations, and responding to media requests.

Strategic Enrollment Management & Marketing

Lead the enrollment management division in developing systems, procedures, policies, and practices that facilitate strategic and data-driven decision-making, transparency and sharing of information across the institution, and support an exceptional experience for prospective and current students and families.
Partner with academic leadership to understand market demands and nuances of individual programs, leveraging the strength of Baker’s current offerings and identifying opportunities for growth and new program development in the undergraduate and graduate marketplaces.
Enhance the effectiveness of student search strategies increasing the conversion of high-potential students at the top of the admission funnel.
Develop and implement strategies to increase the percentage of undergraduate non-student athlete enrollment.
Work with academic leadership to tailor and segment messaging to their specific audiences, while ensuring that consistent institutional messaging is employed and that brand standards are upheld in both centralized and college specific marketing materials.
Supervise and partner closely with the marketing team and skillfully evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to increase Baker’s visibility; continuing to draw upon alumni, faculty, and current students as resources, and experimenting with new platforms and strategies for reaching today’s audiences.
Ensure that Baker clearly communicates its impact and value to students, families, and key influencers through creative and consistent messaging that reflects Baker’s culture, mission, and vision.

Financial Acumen

Lead the construction of the appropriate financial aid leveraging and packaging policies that will maximize merit-based and need-based financial aid to the institution and to its new and continuing students.
Work with Advancement on the development of new endowed and restricted scholarships as well as oversee the awarding of scholarships so that they are done strategically and in line with donor intent.
Oversee the administration of the financial aid office operations, including compliance with federal and state institutional aid programs, NAIA financial aid regulations, scholarship programs, student work-study program, and financial aid package construction and disbursement.
Create policy around financial aid appeals as part of the enrollment process.
Provide oversight and wisdom in the management, and evaluation of external consultants who assist the institution with financial aid optimization.
Partner with the Business and Finance Office to develop multi-year net-tuition revenue projections and create strategies to evaluate tuition, fee, and discounting strategies.

Cross Institutional Collaboration

Foster positive and collaborative relationships across offices and departments to support transparency, problem-solving, and achievement of shared institutional goals.
Proactively educate campus partners, students, and families on admission and financial aid policies processes, policies, timelines, opportunities, and regulations, sharing information across multiple channels.
Build authentic relationships with students, faculty, staff, and administration through active listening, exceptional communication, and a visible presence on campus.
Enhance the partnership between admissions and Baker’s NAIA athletics and work to foster the continued success of this critical partnership.

Technology & Data

Employ a deep and sophisticated understanding of data analytics and predictive modeling to enhance enrollment operations and to guide decision making both on the ground and at the strategic level for all recruiting, financial aid and marketing efforts.
Oversee the implementation and optimization of Technolutions Slate, and deliver best-in-class CRM usage, lead scoring, and predictive modeling.
Partner with Institutional Research to strengthen enrollment analytics and data-informed decision-making throughout the enrollment cycle.
Collaborate with Information Technology, and other University departments to ensure accurate data flow and system integration; partner with offices across the institution to fully leverage data integration, improving efficiency and access to information across the institution.

Team Management & Mentorship

Mentor, manage, and support the admission, financial aid, and marketing staff to foster a knowledgeable team capable of delivering cohesive messaging, information, and advice that is accurate, consistent, and helpful to all constituencies.
Establish and clearly communicate goals for the enrollment management and marketing teams.
Lead with empathy and transparency, creating a supportive environment that fosters professional development and advocates for the ideas and opinions of all team members while providing clear direction and holding team members accountable to enrollment and institutional goals.

Qualifications, Skills, and Characteristics
Baker University is seeking an experienced enrollment management and marketing leader with a minimum of ten years of progressive experience in higher education. The successful candidate will be required to have earned a bachelor’s degree; an advanced degree from a regionally accredited institution is preferred. In addition, the successful candidate will possess the following:

Experience leading a data informed, multi-channel recruitment and enrollment operation that resulted in enrollment and revenue growth;
A record of success in recruiting, admissions, and retention of all students;
Familiarity with non-traditional, adult, graduate and online admissions and retention strategies;
Strong analytic and problem-solving skills, including advanced data literacy: segmentation, forecasting, cohort analysis, ROI modeling;
Experience building new partnership externally in support of new outreach strategies targeted at enrollment growth;
Willingness to support an enrollment management culture through effective collaboration and partnership across campus;
Ability to plan, develop, direct, implement and evaluate strategic marketing and communication plans, programs, and activities applicable to enrollment management best practices;
Experience with and understanding of software systems and technology supporting recruitment, admission review and financial aid management (knowledge of Slate is preferred);
Proven people leader who builds accountable, metrics-driven teams; and
Significant strength in oral communication and an ability to be a compelling advocate and spokesperson to a broad range of internal and external audiences including administration, faculty, staff, alumni, the Board, students, and families.

Baker University
Baker University was chartered on February 12, 1858. Named for Osmon Cleander Baker, a distinguished scholar and bishop of what is now the United Methodist Church, the school holds the honor of being the first four-year university in Kansas. Since its inception, Baker promoted a practical application of the liberal arts, preparing students for fulfilling careers and developing inquisitive, creative graduates who are lifelong learners. Baker’s core values are excellence, integrity, respect, community, service, growth, innovation, and spirituality.

Baker enrolls approximately 2,050 and serves both traditional and non-traditional students through small classes, innovative instruction and rigorous coursework. The university’s residential campus is located in Baldwin City, KS and is home to approximately 815 undergraduate students. The Baldwin City campus houses the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and the School of Education Undergraduate programs. The School of Nursing is located in Topeka, approximately 45 minutes from Baldwin City, and enrolls 180 students annually. Baker’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies serves students both online and at the Overland Park campus. Baker enjoys a longstanding commitment to adult learners and has partnered with KC Scholars to offer scholarships designed for low or modest income adults over the age of 24 to pursue their degree at Baker.

Baker’s students are led and taught by 65 full-time and 150 part-time faculty. A 12 to-1 student-faculty ratio allows for a significant amount of individual attention, and close student-faculty collaboration is a hallmark of the Baker experience. Baker faculty members are actively engaged in scholarship and research activity as well as the supervision of undergraduate and graduate research. At the same time, a sustained primary commitment to personalized teaching and learning permeates campus culture. In addition, most undergraduate faculty members oversee internships and independent studies. Graduate faculty are primarily part time or adjuncts. Most undergraduate faculty also serve as academic advisors, and advisees may be those concentrating in a field offered through the academic division, or may be first-year students or others who are still undecided about a major field. Graduate programs at SOE and SPGS use professional advisors who regularly stay in touch with students. In addition to teaching, faculty in the doctoral programs oversee a culminating student portfolio as well as dissertation development and defense.

Devoted full-time administrative and support staff numbering over 150 are full partners in the educational enterprise at Baker and embrace their roles as co-educators. There are numerous Baker graduates among the faculty and staff, and their ongoing support of their alma mater provides a reservoir of institutional history in the midst of an entrepreneurial and progressive environment.

Baker graduates have gone on to successful careers as writers, scientists, explorers, teachers, business professionals, performers, politicians, academics, visionaries, trendsetters and more. Four graduates have been named Rhodes Scholars and one has earned a Pulitzer Prize. Baker University has a rich history within intimate academic settings, filled with traditions, memories and landmarks. Three buildings on Baker’s Baldwin City Campus are on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Academic programs

College of Arts & Sciences: The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) serves a traditional, residential student population of approximately 815 students. On the historical campus in Baldwin City, CAS offers degrees in the arts, sciences, and humanities, as well as in professional programs such as business and mass media. Majors range from accounting to history to biochemistry. CAS and the campus provide an environment for learning that touches the broader community of Baldwin City. It is known for its sense of family and the strong connections that are fostered among its students, faculty, and staff.

School of Education: The School of Education (SOE), formed in 2005, is the newest of Baker’s academic units. The school’s undergraduate division (in conjunction with CAS) serves traditional students on the Baldwin City campus. Graduate programs in the SOE are administered through offices in Overland Park. Classes are also offered in Topeka and Wichita. These programs serve working teachers and administrators interested in graduate degrees in education, including doctoral degrees in educational leadership in PK-12 and leadership in higher education. SOE offers both on-ground and online instruction and serves more than 324 graduate students. The School of Education offers 9 undergraduate programs, 9 graduate programs.

School of Professional and Graduate Studies: The School of Professional and Graduate Studies (SPGS)was formed in 1988, building on the Master of Liberal Arts program for adult learners in the Kansas City area established in 1975. SPGS grew to include business programs at the undergraduate and graduate level (beginning in the 1990s), and has maintained its focus on providing education to adult learners. SPGS recognizes that adult learners have many paths to completing an education. The academic programing is designed to complement the various ways degree achievement can occur while maintaining academic relevance and rigor. Today, SPGS programs serve a little more than 220 students and include fully online degree programs. SPGS offers 5 undergraduate and 3 graduate programs.

School of Nursing: The School of Nursing (SON) was founded in 1991 in partnership with Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, Kansas. The school, housed in the Pozez Education Center on the Stormont Vail Health campus, currently enrolls 153 students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Students include both traditional learners (those working toward their first four-year degree) and nontraditional (those embarking on a new career path). Classes are offered on-site with experiential learning occurring in the many excellent facilities offered by Stormont Vail and other health care providers in Topeka and surrounding communities. Stormont Vail is one of two Magnet-designated hospitals in the state, offering an exceptional environment for research and evidence-based practice learning. In the spring of 2016, the Baker University Master of Science in Nursing program began accepting graduate students. This fully online graduate program offers two tracks: one in nursing administration and the other in nursing education.

Student Life
The Baker philosophy is that education takes place inside and outside of the classroom and 93% of Baker students are involved in clubs, athletics, internships, study abroad, Greek life and student government. The university offers several special interest groups, honors societies, governing councils, and diversity organization in addition to Greek life and Athletics, which both have a strong and important presence on campus.

Students can participate in three sororities and four fraternities. The Panhellenic women work together to build community, empower women, focus on common goals, and create a network of support for chapters and members. The College Panhellenic Council is the governing body for the three sororities. The fraternity men focus on the pillars of scholarship, leadership, and brotherhood to unify the fraternity community. The Interfraternity Council is the governing body for the four fraternities.

Nearly 75% of Baker undergraduates participate across 10 men's, 11 women’s, and 4 co-ed sports. Baker competes in and serves as a founding member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). The University is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the university’s athletic teams have achieved notable success in various sports throughout the years. Baker University Athletics is dedicated to graduating champions for life by developing leaders through competition, academic achievement, diversity, and community service in the pursuit of personal excellence.

Mission and Vision
Baker University empowers students with the knowledge, skills, and values to make a meaningful impact on their professions, their communities, and the world.

Baker University will continue its tradition of academic excellence by preparing graduates to realize their full potential to become confident contributors to society through student-focused learning experiences in a respectful, innovative, and values-based learning community.

Leadership & Governance
A leader known for his dedication to higher education, strategic vision, and deep commitment to student success, Jody Fournier, Ph.D., officially became the 31st president of Baker University on July 1, 2025.

President Fournier brings more than 25 years of experience in academic leadership, most recently as provost and vice president at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Throughout his tenure, he has held roles including dean of studies, assistant dean of social sciences and education, and professor of psychology. Fournier’s expertise spans student affairs, enrollment management, accreditation, strategic planning, and institutional partnerships—all of which will be instrumental in shaping Baker’s future.

During his time at Capital University, Fournier significantly improved student retention, developed new academic programs to meet student demand, and forged key institutional partnerships. His leadership has fueled substantial enrollment gains, diversified revenue streams and introduced forward-thinking programs in business and health care. A champion of fiscal stewardship and student-centered learning, he successfully integrated academic and student affairs to enhance the overall student experience, blending innovation and tradition—positioning him uniquely to lead Baker University.

As president, Dr. Fournier provides oversight of all university academic affairs. The university is composed of four academic units administered by deans who operate as partners in matters that concern the university:

Tina Hartley - Executive Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences & School of Education
Kirk Haskins - Interim Dean, School of Professional and Graduate Studies
Ranee Seastrom - Interim Dean, School of Nursing

The academic legislative structure of the university is governed by the University Constitution, which stipulates the governing bodies and their responsibilities for each of the four academic units. Each school or college has a primary governing body with associated standing committees. The governing bodies for CAS, SON, and SPGS are faculty senates. SOE refers to its governing body as the Professional Education Council.

The process for academic legislation is consistent throughout the four schools. Standing committees make recommendations regarding curriculum and academic policy changes to their appropriate governing bodies. The faculty senates and Professional Education Council forward recommendations regarding new programs, admission or graduation requirements, constitutional amendments, and catalog or faculty handbook changes to the University Academic Council (UAC). The UAC consists of the deans of the four schools and faculty representatives from each school. Following approval by the UAC, recommendations are then forwarded to the Board of Trustees for final approval.

Baker University’s history and culture place a strong emphasis on a system of shared governance. The faculty primarily governs academic and curricular matters, while administrative staff oversees the other functions of the university.

Upon its inception in 1858, the founders of Baker University deemed that the university be governed by an overseeing body of no more than 32 members. Today, the Baker University Board of Trustees remains the highest governing body of the university, meeting three times annually to approve university programs, budgets, faculty promotions, and conferment of degrees to graduates.

Affordability
Baker University offers a competitive total cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, housing, and meals. When compared to other private colleges in the Midwest, Baker provides exceptional value.

The University offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities designed to help reduce the overall cost of attendance. Last year, the University awarded $26 million in financial aid, and the average award package was $31,000 including grants, scholarships, aid, and loans.

More than 99% of Baker students on the Baldwin City Campus receive financial aid, and Baker is committed to making its education affordable and accessible for all qualified students.

Campus
Baker considers campus to be the social center of students’ college experience. All Baker full-time undergraduates live on campus in several on campus living options on the Baldwin City campus. From suites that are located next to classrooms to apartment living, living on campus offers students a vibrant experience and the chance to engage in educational and social activities. Baker students have access to an on-campus dining facility that is open during traditional and late-night hours and The Common Ground coffee shop in the Long Student Center serves Starbucks coffee, smoothies, and snacks.

Baker’s Baldwin City campus occupies 26 acres and is located within walking distance of several local shops and restaurants. The athletic fields are also within walking distance of campus, providing easy access for students to attend sporting events and root for the Baker Wildcats.

To learn more about Baker University, please visit https://www.bakeru.edu/.

Location
Baker University is located in Baldwin City, KS, a small city of just under 5,000 residents located about 12 miles south of Lawrence (where the University of Kansas is located), 45 miles west of Kansas City and 40 miles east of Topeka. Baldwin City's small-town atmosphere, meaning popular spots are within walking distance, is balanced by its proximity to Lawrence and the Kansas City area. You'll find an eclectic selection of eateries, many shopping options, cultural events, sports venues, theaters, recreational activities, and more within an easy driving distance. The city’s history dates back to 1858 when it was founded as a trail stop on the Santa Fe Trail. Baldwin City has a rich history, including being surrounded by events leading up to the American Civil War and being a key stop along the Santa Fe Trail. The city is also known for its annual Maple Leaf Festival and its well-preserved historic downtown area. Baldwin City offers a blend of small-town charm and vibrant energy, with a community that warmly welcomes visitors and neighbors alike. Baker University faculty and staff reside throughout the region, with some living in Baldwin City, while others choose to commute in from Lawrence or suburbs like Gardner or Olathe.

Compensation
Baker University offers a competitive compensation package, including relocation assistance, and a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please speak with NES to learn more about the salary range identified for this role.

To Apply
NES, a national executive search firm specializing in higher education, is assisting Baker University with this search for a Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing. If you wish to have a confidential conversation about this opportunity or submit nominations, please contact: Drew Nichols (drew.nichols@nessearches.com) or Laura Robinson(laura.robinson@nessearches.com). To apply, please send the following items: 1) a resume, 2) a detailed letter of interest, and 3) contact information for five professional references. For confidentiality, references will not be contacted without permission. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted electronically to Baker@nessearches.com by May 13. The position is campus-based and the preferred start date is Summer, 2026.

It is the policy of Baker University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and conditions related to pregnancy), national origin, citizenship, age, disability, weight, height, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or transgender status, misdemeanor arrest record (not resulting in conviction), or any other status protected by law in any employment decision or in providing and administering educational programs, services, or activities.

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