Vice President for Enrollment Management at Marywood University

Marywood University seeks an experienced and innovative Vice President for Enrollment Management. Located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Marywood offers a premier comprehensive education, framed by the liberal arts and enhanced by a professional focus, within a welcoming and supportive community rooted in the Catholic educational tradition of the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM Congregation).

Reporting to Marywood’s newly appointed President, Lisa A. Lori, J.D., the Vice President for Enrollment Management will join the President’s Cabinet and lead the University’s strategic enrollment efforts. The Vice President will guide a highly engaged team of approximately 18 enrollment professionals across the undergraduate, graduate, and admissions operations teams in developing and executing winning strategic enrollment plans and contemporary tactics in the successful recruitment of undergraduate and graduate students.

Collaborating with the marketing team, the Vice President will develop comprehensive, highly effective enrollment growth plans to address the needs of domestic, adult, transfer, diverse, and international student populations. In close partnership with the chief financial officer, the Vice President will develop pricing, discounting, financial aid, scholarship awarding models which support the University’s financial goals and support the robust enrollments of a diverse student body. As a visible and collaborative campus leader, the Vice President will encourage the participation of an engaged community, and foster a culture of transparency in the use and sharing of data, market analysis, and progress toward shared goals.

The full portfolio and responsibilities of the position will be based on and reflect the skills and experience of the selected candidate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential duties and responsibilities for the Vice President for Enrollment Management include the following:

Leadership

  • Initiate the development and execution of a strategic enrollment management plan that aligns with Marywood’s mission and strategic direction; serve as a thought leader and confidently inspire others to understand and support enrollment strategies.
  • Advise the president, Board of Trustees, and fellow members of senior staff in all matters related to recruitment, enrollment, financial aid, and strategic positioning of the University amid the rapidly evolving landscape.
  • 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.
  • Direct and ensure optimum levels of enrollment growth across each of the University’s populations, academic programs, and disciplines.
  • Develop and inspire a talented and loyal staff to work to optimize the skills of each individual team member and foster a culture of individual growth, empowerment, and professional development.
  • Champion the work of the staff and energize an environment of shared institutional responsibility for enrollment across campus.

Technology and Data

  • Lead the staff in evaluating, implementing, and leveraging technology to innovate, increase operational efficiency, and meet the expectations of students and families.
  • Foster a culture of excellence in appropriately leveraging data and sharing of information including best practices in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Collect and analyze data to inform and refine efforts that identify, recruit, enroll, and retain a diverse undergraduate and graduate student body representing a variety of racial, ethnic, socio-economic, international, and first-generation backgrounds.
  • Increase the University’s market visibility; assess past efforts and utilize data to develop aggressive approaches to ensure Marywood powerfully and genuinely conveys its message in established and new recruitment territories.

Strategic Enrollment

  • Guide progressive practices and policies that address key regional, national, and international demographic trends with the goal of attracting exceptional students who will succeed and persist through graduation.
  • 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.
  • Explore external partnerships ranging from Community-Based Organizations to key corporate alliances that will benefit Marywood’s mission and enrollment goals.
  • Design goals for graduate enrollment in conjunction with faculty program advisors and directors and using an intentional mindset for relationship building.
  • Maintain the academic quality of the student body and extend the geographic and socioeconomic reach of the recruitment efforts.
  • Partner closely with the marketing team and skillfully evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to increase Marywood’s visibility among prospective students; continuing to draw upon alumni, faculty, and current students as recruiting resources, and experimenting with new platforms and strategies for reaching today’s students.
  • In partnership with the marketing team and through the use of creative and innovative enrollment marketing efforts, reach students across various delivery modalities, program audiences, geographic regions, and diverse student populations.
  • Ensure that Marywood clearly communicates its impact and value to students, families, and key influencers through creative and consistent messaging that reflects Marywood’s culture and core values.
  • In partnership with other senior leaders, establish annual rates for tuition and fees; and design strategic financial aid packaging, pricing discounts, talent-based awards, and need-based financial aid in order to maximize enrollment and net tuition revenue goals at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Partner with the chief financial officer to develop and execute merit and aid, leveraging strategies which reflect institutional enrollment goals, optimize revenue generation, and manage net tuition revenues; efficiently manage financial resources, including institutional financial aid and the utilization of all divisional budgets, directing changes as needed to maximize effectiveness.
  • Foster community understanding of student decision-making relative to enrollment, ability to pay, and appetite for debt.
  • Provide guidance on how to support a friendly, customer service-oriented team within the Office of Financial Aid and the Student Accounts Office to serve students from prospect to graduation through connections with stakeholders across campus.
  • Develop strategies to educate families on the financial aid process and inform students and families on deadlines and federal regulations impacting financial aid.
  • Manage the division’s budget in a resourceful and effective manner.

Commitment to Diversity

  • Continue Marywood’s efforts to attract and retain students from underrepresented backgrounds and ensure that they feel a strong sense of belonging with an ability to thrive.
  • Work to recruit students and their families from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and to ensure that Marywood is a place where all students feel included and supported.
  • In partnership with the Office of Equity and Inclusion and others, ensure that the University is sustainably positioned to support and retain the talented students who are admitted and enrolled.

Partnership, Collaboration, and Communication

  • Leverage the talents and resources of campus partners in an effort to attract and retain Marywood students; nurture connections across the University, collaborating with students, faculty, staff, and alumni, in order to work as a team toward the University’s enrollment goals.
  • Enhance the partnership between admissions and Marywood’s NCAA Division III athletics and work to foster the continued success of this critical partnership.
  • Maintain strong relationships with school counselors, college counselors, community-based organizations, and international partners in order to build awareness and enhance the reputation of a Marywood education.
  • Serve as a liaison to the Enrollment and Student Experience Committee of the Board of Trustees, providing enrollment data, strategic planning, outcomes as well as analysis and insights into the evolving markets for undergraduate and graduate programs.

Qualifications, Skills, and Characteristics
A bachelor’s degree is required and an advanced degree preferred. A minimum of seven years of enrollment management within higher education with increasing responsibility and significant experience in managerial and leadership roles is required in this important position. In addition, the Vice President should demonstrate many of the following skills, qualifications, and abilities:

  • Respect for the charism and mission of the University’s founders and sponsors, the Congregation of the Sisters, IHM Congregation, and ability to embrace the vision and core values of Marywood University;
  • An appreciation for the Liberal Arts and the foundational role they play in the strong Professional Programs that prepare Marywood students for successful and meaningful lives;
  • A commitment to Catholic Social Teaching and social justice;
  • Demonstrated expertise in the recruitment and enrollment of undergraduate and graduate students, with the ability to identify, reach, and influence individual student populations and markets;
  • Evidence of a commitment to contributing to a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging and a high degree of comfort and expertise in creating a more equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and identities;
  • Experience leading organizational change and ability to offer a compelling vision, while engaging a campus community in the development, adoption, and implementation of a strategic enrollment plan;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of demographics, best practices in enrollment, financial aid policies, market trends, and innovative thinking;
  • A history of success in assisting and/or developing effective pricing, merit, and financial aid models;
  • A commitment to exceptional customer service and ability to address barriers to enrollment for students and families;
  • A keen understanding of best admissions practices for small, private colleges today, as well as the foresight to anticipate how the landscape will change in the coming years;
  • A contemporary approach to enrollment management; transparent with impeccable ethical standards, possessing optimism and confidence;
  • Demonstrated successes in leading complex strategic initiatives and translating high aspirations into achievable and measurable goals and accomplishments;
  • An effective change agent, able to demonstrate respect for individual and institutional experiences while providing a compelling vision for the future;
  • Data savvy, strategically deft, finely tuned skills in predictive modeling and analytics;
  • Experience developing data-driven recruitment strategies as well as the ability to persuasively and clearly present quantitative information to administrative colleagues, faculty, staff, students, the Board of Trustees, and others;
  • A genuine interest in connecting with people on behalf of Marywood including prospective students and parents, faculty, fellow administrators, staff, and the board;
  • The ability to effectively balance high-level strategic thinking with hands-on engagement in daily activities, in keeping with Marywood’s culture and ethos;
  • An institutional view of challenges, opportunities, resources, and problem-solving;
  • Able to discern the nuanced needs of a community of professionals, listening deeply to the thoughts and ideas of others;
  • Outstanding communication skills, including the ability to persuasively convey Marywood’s academic distinctions and community differentiators to a diverse range of audiences through multiple formats (in person, in writing, in marketing materials, via social media, etc.);
  • Personal qualities of transparency, trustworthiness, approachability, and a sense of humor;
  • Intellectual curiosity accompanied by humility, a strong work ethic, and a sincere willingness to be open-minded;
  • Proven ability to develop rapport and work collaboratively with faculty to bring forward the best of Marywood in the shared effort of recruiting and retaining students;
  • Possess an understanding of NCAA regulations for Division III athletics and the ability to build partnerships with coaches and athletic administrators to facilitate the strategic recruitment of student-athletes;
  • A readiness to embrace the Marywood community and to work collaboratively with its friendly and talented faculty, staff, and students in pursuit of its mission.

Marywood University
Marywood University, which opened in 1915, is sponsored by the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Marywood has a tradition of service that spans more than a century and manifests its commitment to spiritual, ethical, and religious values. From the institution’s inception, the IHM Sisters, Scranton, have dedicated themselves to the governance, administration, and staffing needs of Marywood. IHM Sisters have served as president of the institution throughout its history, until the recent appointment of Marywood’s 13th President, Lisa A. Lori, J.D. In 1917, Marywood began awarding bachelor’s degrees  and Master of Arts degrees were first conferred in 1922. The institution transformed from college to university status in 1997; in 2003, the University was restructured into colleges, and has since undergone two additional academic restructurings, to reflect the needs of students, evolving professional demand, and the higher education industry itself. Presently, colleges include the College of Health Sciences and the Reap College of Creative and Professional Studies. In addition, the University is host to three Centers of Excellence: the Mother Theresa Maxis, IHM Center for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation, the Center for Urban Studies and the Center for Law, Justice, and Policy.

Academics
Northeast Pennsylvania’s first School of Architecture opened at Marywood University in 2009, and is presently the largest Architecture School in Pennsylvania. The SOA recently added the Sordoni Construction Management program, a Master of Architecture degree program, and Virtual Architecture program that is the first one of its kind in the world. The University was the first regional institution to offer doctoral degree programs. Current offerings include a Ph.D. program in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies and a Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) doctoral program.

Marywood University is one of the best places to prepare for a career in the health professions and has expanded its health sciences facilities with the Pascucci Health Sciences Pavilion, a 15,000-square-foot addition to the existing Keith J. O’Neill Center for Healthy Families. With state-of-the-art simulation laboratories and technology-supported classrooms, Marywood is able to teach more health sciences students and to provide an interprofessional training facility for several of the healthcare programs on campus including, physician assistant, nursing, nutrition and dietetics, respiratory therapy and exercise science. This real-world environment better prepares students to deliver an integrated model of collaborative clinical care after entering practice.

Expert faculty and a long-standing reputation for the rigor and quality of its health sciences programs result in a number of regional healthcare facilities actively recruiting and employing Marywood graduates. Dozens of established regional partnerships and clinical sites facilitate allied and behavioral health placements, to meet students’ training needs and support clinical site needs.

Marywood University Today
The University enrolls more than 2,500 full-time students; 1,886 at the undergraduate level and 706 graduate students. Total undergraduate and graduate headcount is 2,592. Diverse and/ or international students compose approximately 27% of the student body. Among the 583 incoming undergraduate students who enrolled in 2023 – 2024, approximately 111 were transfer students. Approximately 99 percent of students receive financial aid and the undergraduate discount rate is just over 60 percent.

Popular undergraduate programs are business, nursing, exercise science, communication sciences and disorders, and architecture. The largest graduate programs are in social work, psychology and counseling, business, and physician assistant studies. Marywood has 134 full-time faculty; 37 percent are tenured, and 77 percent have a Ph.D. or a terminal degree. The University has about 220 adjunct faculty members. The University offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 32 master’s programs, one educational specialist degree, and two doctoral programs. The Ph.D. program in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies prepares students for leadership roles that reflect the complexity of today’s business, education, healthcare, and social services organizations. Recent additions to the portfolio of programs include baccalaureate degrees in Construction Management, Virtual Architecture, and Financial Crime Investigation, along with expanded international partnerships, including online and on-campus programs.

The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is currently in the midst of the regular review process. Marywood also holds thirteen professional accreditations, including in business, speech-language pathology, nutrition and dietetics, physician assistant, nursing, social work, clinical psychology, counseling, respiratory therapy, music, architecture, art therapy and art and design.

University Leadership
Lisa A. Lori, J.D. began her tenure as Marywood’s 13th President on July 1, 2024. President Lori holds the distinction of being the institution’s first lay president. Her distinguished qualifications include a dynamic leadership record as Marywood’s former Board Chair, along with an extensive legal background, reflecting a growing national trend of lawyer presidents, whose legal training and strategic expertise are highly sought in the challenging, complex climate of higher education.

A proud Marywood alumna, President Lori is committed to further expanding Marywood’s scope of influence in higher education, so that a broader range of students can come to know and love the University as much as she does. Working diligently to advance Marywood’s life-changing mission, she collaborates with campus and community partners to ensure that Marywood University is a leading academic institution for today’s students and for future generations, as well as a continuing economic engine for the region.

Marywood University, sponsored by the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, roots itself in the Catholic intellectual tradition, the principle of justice, and the belief that education empowers people. The University integrates an enduring liberal arts tradition and professional disciplines to create a comprehensive learning experience. Our undergraduate and graduate programs promote academic excellence, advance innovative scholarship and foster leadership in service to others. Within a welcoming and supportive community, Marywood challenges individuals of all backgrounds to achieve their full potential and make choices based on spiritual and ethical values. Marywood University prepares students to seek sustainable solutions for the common good and educates global citizens to live responsibly in an interdependent world.

– The Marywood University Mission

Strategic Planning
Marywood’s most recent strategic plan, Moving Marywood Forward 2021-2025 reflected the University’s mission and articulation of five core values: Catholic Identity, Respect, Empowerment, Service and Excellence. President Lori will guide the community in establishing a new strategic plan. As with past planning processes, the development of the new strategic plan will be inclusive, research and data-driven, and deeply reflective of the community’s active commitment to Marywood’s Mission and core values.

Student Life
Marywood students enjoy the benefits of a beautiful campus, vibrant student experience, and access to clubs, events, and activities to enhance their academic and social experiences. The Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts hosts numerous performances throughout the year, welcoming both students and the local community. For student-athletes and their supporters with Pacer Pride, Marywood offers 22 NCAA DIII teams and a competitive esports team, in addition to intramural and club sports. The campus is host to Greek life as well, with two active service-based sororities. Marywood’s small, safe, residential location offers a community-based environment, which provides students with a friendly atmosphere and a high level of personal attention. Marywood University is in close proximity to state parks, outdoor activities, and major metropolitan areas, further enhancing the overall student experience. At Marywood, students discover their passion and realize their purpose.

Office of Mission Services
The Office of Mission Services has oversight of the founding mission and vision of the IHM Sisters. This oversight is carried out by offering education, training, and evaluation of the stated mission and core values through the Sacraments, prayer, retreats, special events, and other experiences designed to highlight and preserve Marywood’s mission.

Student Engagement
The Division of the Student Experience is committed to delivering a formative co-curricular experience guided by Marywood’s Catholic, IHM values, and mission. Dedicated to a community of care, Student Engagement provides student-centered services and initiatives, and nurtures a sense of empowerment while accompanying students on their journey to live responsibly in an interdependent world. The Division is led by the Vice President for the Student Experience, and is composed of three areas of focus, represented through the following functional areas:

  • Student Belonging and Connectedness: Housing and Residence Life, the Office of Student Engagement;
  • Student Health and Wellness: the Counseling and Student Development Center, Student Health Services; and
  • Student Support: Career Services and the

Residence Life
In 2023-2024, more than 760 students (primarily undergraduate) lived in campus housing; the institution had capacity for 851 spaces in four residence halls, townhouse apartments, and several large homes on campus, and is in the process of expanding housing for international students. A growing need for housing is propelling the expansion of housing capacity to 908 spaces.

Finances
Due to the quickly changing landscape impacting higher education, Marywood University has been proactive in the development of a 5-Year Financial model, which is a vital resource as the institution navigates towards achieving long-term financial stability. The June 30, 2023, Audit Financial Statement reflected total assets increased by $6.7M (total of $234.4M), total liabilities decreased by $2.6M (total of $89M), change in net assets increased by $9.3M (total of $145.4M), and reflected a $57M endowment fund and $72M in debt obligations. Long term debt coverage ratio reflected 2.05 (1.10 minimum requirement), and cash and investment to outstanding indebtedness ratio (liquidity reflected 53.76% (30% minimum requirement). The 2023/24 approved operating activity budget reflects approximately $71M in revenues (net of scholarships).

Capital Improvements
Marywood University has long recognized the importance of maintaining its campus green and infrastructure. In order to minimize the value of its deferred maintenance, a five-year capital investment plan has been implemented. The University Campus Master Plan has guided a $75 million investment in its academic programs, resident halls, and athletics. In 2023, the University began the construction of a 20,000-square-foot addition. The $11.5 million fully funded Pascucci Health Sciences Pavilion was dedicated in June 2024. The funding for these projects came from operating reserves, comprehensive campaign and fundraising activities, grants, quasi-endowment funds, and debt obligations.

Development
In September of 2023, the University publicly launched, EMPOWER: The Campaign for Marywood University, a comprehensive fundraising initiative targeting: 1) construction, renovation, and renewal of buildings and spaces to support growing programs and offer state-of-the-art equipment and resources; 2) scholarships for students who might best benefit from a Marywood education; and 3) annual philanthropic support to help Marywood maintain her position at the forefront of innovative education. Through the generosity of Trustees, alumni, and friends, the campaign attained its goal of $30,000,000 in June 2024. A robust Development Program focused on strategic donor engagement and stewardship initiatives has delivered several transformational gifts for the University, establishing momentum for new levels of leadership giving.

Scranton, Pennsylvania
Marywood University features a beautiful campus with a blend of classic academic architecture, modern facilities, and an array of athletic fields and green space. The campus is located on a scenic property of 115 acres in an attractive, historic, residential area of the city of Scranton in northeastern Pennsylvania. With a population of 77,000, Scranton is the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania and is the county seat of Lackawanna County. Marywood provides access and self-sufficiency to its students and campus community, with the advantage of being close to major cities of the northeast. Scranton is within driving distance to New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, and Boston. In addition, several airlines serve the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, which is 20 minutes from campus.

The city of Scranton, made famous by the hit television series The Office, is located in the Pocono Mountains region, an area renowned for the beauty of its lakes and forests, as well as the access it offers for all kinds of winter and summer sports and other outdoor activities. A location of choice for individuals looking to relocate, invest or start and expand a business, Lackawanna County was ranked among the top 100 Best Places to live by U.S. News & World Report, and Scranton is ranked 21st among most livable small cities. Scranton is home to a growing downtown business district and several institutions of higher education in addition to Marywood University. With a vibrant arts community and a diverse population, there is plenty of opportunity to honor the city’s rich past while progressing into the future.

The region is home to two minor league sports teams, the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders (minor league baseball team of the New York Yankees) and the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (minor league hockey team of the Pittsburgh Penguins). Scranton provides an array of cultural opportunities–concerts, theater, ballet, lectures, and art shows. It celebrates its distinguished history as a labor center in museums and Steamtown National Park.

Compensation and the Marywood Work Environment
Compensation for the position is expected to be between $125,000 and $175,000 based on the skills and experience of the selected candidate and the portfolio of responsibilities; consult with the NES search team for insights. Additionally, Marywood University offers a comprehensive package of benefits. The selected candidate will reside in or near Scranton, Pennsylvania, in this visible campus and community-based leadership position.

To Apply
NES, a higher education search firm specializing in enrollment management searches, is assisting Marywood in identifying the University’s next Vice President for Enrollment Management. For more information, or to nominate someone for this position, contact Suzi Nam (suzi.nam@nessearches.com), Catherine Capolupo (catherine.capolupo@nessearches.com) or Mary Napier (mary.napier@nessearches.com). All conversations will remain confidential unless otherwise stated and agreed. Interested candidates should submit a résumé and a letter of interest describing their unique qualifications for the Vice President for Enrollment Management position at Marywood University. Candidates should also provide the names and contact information of at least five professional references. For confidentiality, references will not be contacted without permission. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted electronically to marywood@nessearches.com by December 5, 2024. The position is campus-based and the preferred start date is Summer 2025.

Marywood prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex (including ex-based harassment, gender, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity), national origin (including shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics), age, creed, religion, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, military/veteran status, political belief or affiliation, use of a guide or support animal, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) contexts. Concerns or reports can be shared with Dr. Jeffrey L. Kegolis, Vice President for the Student Experience/Title IX Coordinator, Marywood University, Scranton, PA 18509-1598. Phone: (570) 340-6050, or email: jlkegolis@marywood.edu.