Vice President for Enrollment

Vice President for Enrollment Hendrix College invites applications and nominations for its next Vice President for Enrollment. A nationally recognized independent liberal arts institution, Hendrix College seeks an experienced, courageous, and adept enrollment leader. The Vice President for Enrollment will lead and inspire a staff of thirteen admission and financial aid professionals and guide the Hendrix community in meeting revenue, enrollment, and retention goals. Reporting to President Karen Petersen, the vice president will join a newly formed leadership team committed to Hendrix's residential liberal arts education, the promise of bringing initiatives and innovation to realization, and invested in fostering the bright future of Hendrix. The Vice President will oversee the enrollment staff which consists of professionals in admission, admission operations, financial aid, and enrollment marketing. They will partner across the college in the community's work on retention, marketing, communication, strategic planning, and implementation of strategic initiatives. The Vice President will provide vision, leadership, and expertise to the greater Hendrix community in building enrollments, navigating a challenging marketplace, and meeting the needs and interests of prospective students and families. The Vice President will address barriers to enrollment, attend to enrollment pipelines, and expand and enhance the reputation of Hendrix College regionally and nationally. A champion for the Hendrix community, the Vice President for Enrollment will be a positive, visible, and engaged leader on campus, in the greater Conway community, and in higher education. Strategic Leadership Provide leadership in the areas of enrollment planning, student recruitment, enrollment marketing, admission, and financial aid. Work with the Board of Trustees, particularly the Enrollment Committee, to ensure trustees are educated on enrollment management and able to provide appropriate oversight of institutional strategy. Serve as a thought partner to the President on issues affecting higher education generally and the College specifically. All members of the Senior Leadership Team work closely to solve problems or engage in discussion, debate, and decision on issues that cross divisions. Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive, data driven enrollment management plan to support the financial and enrollment goals of the College. Optimize aid to meet institutional revenue and enrollment goals. In concert with fellow senior leaders, support the development and implementation of an institutional strategic plan including the realization of initiatives and evaluation of outcomes. Establish, articulate, and make decisions based on clear and measurable goals, benchmarks and key performance indicators; provide data, analysis, forecasting, and context transparently and regularly. Identify and aggressively address current and emerging issues that are impacting the enrollment of potential students. Oversee enrollment marketing and communications to reach unique student populations and articulate the value of a Hendrix education. Aggressively seek out and enroll prospective students with interest and affinity for Hendrix's features and benefits, and educate enrollment staff to do the same. Advise the President, fellow members of the Senior Leadership Team, and community members on enrollment trends and opportunities. Foster a culture of mentorship, staff development, critical thinking, collaboration, leadership, accountability, and empowerment within the division. Recruitment, Operations and Management Provide strategic oversight in admission, financial aid, enrollment marketing, and communications. Establish goals, motivate and manage staff, and monitor progress of core functional units. Accelerate the College's successful recruitment of students from diverse populations, leading members of the enrollment division in further developing their own commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Facilitate the collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to enrollment, financial aid, recruiting, marketing, and retention; lead the enrollment team in data analysis and development of initiatives and tactics when appropriate. Assure programs and processes within enrollment meet the highest standards, reflect best practices, and evolve with changing needs and technology. Ensure technology solutions such as Slate CRM are maximized, improve the efficiency of systems, and facilitate business practices across the College. Financial Acumen Oversee the office of financial aid in serving both current and prospective students, while maintaining critical compliance with federal and state funding sources. Provide an experienced, contemporary approach to talent-based awards and need-based financial aid that reflect the financial resources and strategic priorities of the College. Oversee strategies for modeling and leveraging financial aid with the ability to forecast enrollment, discount, and net tuition revenue. Counsel collaborative decision makers in understanding the impact of pricing on individual student populations; the effective balance of merit and financial assistance for attracting and retaining students; management of student loan debt, the importance of financial literacy, and customer service. Manage and monitor all components of the budget for the enrollment management division. Enrollment Marketing Design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive enrollment marketing communication plans. Enhance and lead a sophisticated enrollment marketing function, demonstrate expertise in evolving consumer expectations and behavior and changes in channels of communication. Lead the team and community in articulating the distinctions, benefits, and value of a Hendrix education in a compelling and impactful manner. Partnerships and Relationships Partner with coaches, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, donors, and community organizations to develop a robust and diverse pipeline of students to enhance Hendrix's stature and reputation among regional, national, and international communities. Foster a culture that values the contributions of alumni in enhancing the reputation of the college, and recognizes and supports alumni contributions in the successful recruitment of students. Foster open communication and transparent decision-making with internal and external constituencies. Facilitate the recruitment of student athletes by working closely with the coaches and athletic department personnel in a timely and efficient manner. Qualifications, Abilities and Characteristics The College seeks a vice president with enthusiasm for the field of enrollment, particularly in a residential, liberal arts setting, a commitment to collaboration and accountability, along with a penchant for facing challenges with courage and innovation. They will understand current trends and practices in enrollment management and possess experience in leveraging technology and systems to support the work of the division. The successful candidate should have significant proven experience in a leadership role in higher education. A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required, with preference given to individuals with a degree in a liberal arts field; and an advanced degree is strongly preferred, with at least eight years relevant experience in admissions, financial aid, and/or recruitment in higher education. In addition, candidates for this position should demonstrate the following: Success in bringing innovative ideas to realization and ability to capitalize on institutional investments which reflect the needs and desires of students and families. A demonstrated sense of excitement and urgency, the ability to quickly and efficiently bring ideas to fruition, and the ability to coalesce and support a community during change. A willingness to shed ideas or practices that do not work (tolerance for risk-taking and failure). Self-motivated and team-oriented with the ability to help others see a positive future and navigate change with vision and humor. A recruitment/sales mindset with a strong desire to achieve outcomes across institutional teams. A proven track record in successful outreach and recruitment of prospective students including undergraduate, transfer, international, athlete, non-athlete, and historically underserved populations. A modern approach to best practices in enrollment management and demonstrated knowledge of future strategies for successful recruitment, marketing and communication, assessment, and planning. Management style capable of fostering a culture of excellence, respect, and enthusiasm for the work to be done and goals to be accomplished. Strong public speaking skills and outstanding interpersonal communication skills required to interact effectively with campus, community partners, and the press. Strong business acumen and a global view of business processes and institutional resources. Fiscally responsible, with a comprehensive perspective on executive level decision making and problem solving. Desire to develop authentic, trusting relationships with campus partners. Possess knowledge of, and strong practical experience in pricing and discounting strategies. Experienced in the development, assessment, and management of successful relationships with companies, communities and organizations to support the growth, development and reputation of the College through marketing, market research, aid leveraging, consulting, and agent/student procurement services. An understanding of NCAA regulations for Division III athletics and demonstrated experience building partnerships and processes with coaches and athletic administrators to actively and competitively facilitate the strategic recruitment of student athletes. Experienced in developing student recruitment pipelines, recognizing barriers to recruitment and enrollment, and ability to foster changes to increase the effectiveness of outreach, relationships, and recruitment efforts. Exceptional listener who is able and willing to engage students, faculty, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds. Ability to be bold, creative, and visionary while also being collegial, collaborative, and inclusive. Firm but compassionate; capable of working with energy and humility in a team environment which values execution, accountability, and humor. Charismatic and engaging with a sincere love for the residential liberal arts experience. Hendrix College Hendrix College is a private liberal arts college located in Conway, Arkansas, approximately 30 miles from the capital city of Little Rock. Founded in 1876 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Hendrix has a long tradition of creative programming, including the Hendrix Odyssey Program, the first-of-its-kind engaged learning program, and the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language. Hendrix is recognized annually for academic excellence, career preparation, innovation, and value. The community is known for the close connection between its 1,100-plus students and their faculty and staff mentors, as well as its unwavering commitment to its liberal arts heritage. Nationally, Hendrix ranks among the top 30 colleges and universities for the percentage of graduates who earn Ph.D.'s, ahead of schools including Duke, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, and Berkeley; in the physical sciences Hendrix is number 23, in the natural sciences number 35, and in psychology number nine. Hendrix graduates who move directly into the job market report being employed within six months of graduation. The law school acceptance rate of Hendrix graduates is 87 percent, and the medical school acceptance rate, at 75 percent, is nearly double the national average. Each year, Hendrix students present their research at regional, national, and international conferences, particularly in the Natural and Social Sciences. More than 50 percent of Hendrix graduates enroll in graduate or professional school within two years of graduation (and many of them are awarded scholarships). Graduates have directed space walks, rescued children from poverty, led multinational corporations, run organic farms, and performed groundbreaking medical research. Hendrix is also one of the 40 Colleges that Change Lives. Academics The College has charted a bold course and has positioned itself as a national leader in engaged liberal arts and sciences education. Hendrix distinguishes itself by building upon and further strengthening its historic hallmarks: close student and faculty interaction, rich residential campus life, a campus ethos of broad engaged learning participation, and an unwavering commitment to the liberal arts. Hendrix offers 31 majors and 32 minors, including interdisciplinary degrees and 11 pre-professional advising tracks. In addition, Hendrix offers an MA in Accounting and dual-degree programs in engineering and public health. Though segmented into three areas- humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, with an area chair for each-academic departments and their faculty encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration through team teaching in the first-year seminar, Odyssey projects, and involvement with multifaceted endeavors supported by the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation and other organizations. The College offers curricular programs that "cultivate empathy, creativity, self-understanding, rigorous inquiry, informal deliberation, and active learning across the liberal arts, toward the development of the whole person." To meet this pledge, the academic program of Hendrix College comprises diverse elements in a coherent whole, combining structure with flexibility. The undergraduate Academic Program assists students in developing both academic breadth and academic depth in their studies. The Collegiate Center is the general education curriculum at Hendrix that is required of all students. It consists of four parts: The First-Year Experience consists of The Engaged Citizen, a first-year required course, and Explorations, a one-quarter credit weekly seminar. Capacities recognize that all students must exhibit basic proficiencies in fundamental skills used across multiple disciplines. Learning Domains afford multiple options for acquiring a basic understanding of the content, disciplinary styles, and modes of inquiries of the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences in ways that may cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. The Hendrix Odyssey Program is the College's distinctive program of engaged learning. This program expands and formalizes options for undergraduate research, study abroad, artistic development, internships, service experiences, and other hands-on activities. All students are required to complete three Odyssey experiences selected from the six project categories of Artistic Creativity, Global Awareness, Professional & Leadership Development, Service to the World, Undergraduate Research, and Special Projects. Odyssey encourages students to connect the knowledge they gain in the classroom with the experience they gain through internships, undergraduate research, service, and other hands-on learning activities. While these opportunities exist at other schools, they are often elective and ancillary to the academic program. At Hendrix, engaged learning is universal and central to the curriculum. Faculty members may also apply for Odyssey Professorships, which support the creation of new engaged learning opportunities for students. Odyssey has had a powerful impact on the size, geographic diversity, and academic quality of the incoming classes. Most importantly, the success of Odyssey has inspired creativity and passion and allowed the faculty to imagine new ways of further strengthening the academic program and student experience in the future. Another unique program offered at Hendrix is the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language, which enriches the study of literature and language at Hendrix, both for the college community as a whole and for students with intensive interest in those areas. The Programs bring acclaimed writers, poets, translators, literary critics, editors, playwrights, literary scholars, and theatre directors to campus to give public lectures and readings, teach classes, direct student plays, and mentor student writers. The Murphy Scholars Program in Literature and Language provides selected students with a variety of mentored, co-curricular experiences that deepen their knowledge of literature and language. Any student with a passion for these subjects may apply-regardless of their major. The application process for each cohort takes place in spring of the freshman year, giving Scholars three full years to enjoy the program's offerings before graduation. Thirty scholars are selected from every class, meaning that 90 are active in the program for most of the year. The Foundation's programs are overseen by a Board of Directors that is headed by the President of the College and includes Murphy family members, the Provost, and representatives from the Hendrix Board of Trustees. Distinctions Hendrix graduates include: 40 Watson Fellows • 39 Fulbright Scholars • 34 Goldwater Scholars • 6 Rhodes Scholars • 7 Rotary International Scholars • 5 Benjamin A. Gilman Scholars • 3 Truman Scholars • 3 French Government English Teaching Assistantships • 2 Marshall Scholars • 2 Critical Language Scholars • 2 Austrian Ministry of Education and Women's Affairs U.S. Teaching Assistantships • 1 Council of Independent Colleges' American Graduate Fellow Hendrix has a long and proud tradition of national recognition. As early as 1900, Hendrix was recognized by the U.S. Office of Education as having higher standards for admission and graduation than any other institution of higher learning in Arkansas. That recognition continues today as Hendrix is recognized by numerous journals and college guides for academic quality, campus life, community values, engaged learning, innovation, and value. In 2023 Forbes recognized Hendrix among the top 100 Liberal Arts Universities. In 2024 Hendrix was recognized by US News among the Top Performers for Social Mobility and the College has regularly been included among the Colleges that Change Lives. Faculty and Staff Faculty members at Hendrix are leaders in their disciplines and devoted to teaching and mentoring undergraduate students. Hendrix faculty have continually demonstrated their dedication to being at the forefront of the academy- of the 101 full-time faculty, 94% hold terminal degrees in their fields. In addition to developing the Odyssey engaged learning initiative, the faculty have collectively examined and enhanced the College's Statement of Purpose and the Vision for Student Learning, which articulates Hendrix's learning goals, and revised the common course for first-year students, including development of an interdisciplinary course, "The Engaged Citizen." The faculty view egalitarian governance as a critical component of shared decision making and action. There is no faculty senate at Hendrix. Committees with diverse representation in rank and discipline review issues and concerns, and the faculty meets collectively to discuss and decide academic, co-curricular, and student life policy. The staff are important members of the Hendrix community who often develop close relationships with both students and faculty members. The warmth and connectedness that characterizes the community is a source of pride for Hendrix and one of the fundamental values at the institution. Students More than 1,100 students make up the Hendrix student body. After receiving more than 3,000 applications, Hendrix welcomed 340 new students to campus this fall. The average new student GPA is 3.76 and average ACT score is 26.8. After Census Day 2024, the College's total enrollment sat at 1,111 students. Hendrix students are intellectually curious, self-driven, and passionate about service, learning, and social justice. Sixty percent of the College's graduates pursue post-graduate degrees, and Hendrix ranks among the top for graduates who complete doctoral degrees, according to a National Science Foundation survey. A chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, one of only two in Arkansas, was installed at the College in 1998. Outside the classroom, the creativity and community-mindedness that characterize the Hendrix student contributes to an unusually inclusive and vibrant student life that revolves around residence hall affiliation rather than a Greek system. The campus features nine residence halls, ranging from large-scale historic dorms with capacities exceeding 100 students to smaller "houses" that can accommodate communities centered on language immersion or another particular focus, such as well-being. Six groupings of on-campus apartments allow older students more independent living options with the ability to maintain ties to campus life. Both current students and generations of alumni are proud of Hendrix's many campus life traditions, ranging from the century-old Shirttails Serenade dance competition in the fall to the variety shows and other fundraising events included in Campus Kitty, a student-driven effort that directs donations to select central Arkansas-area nonprofits each year. The institution is part of the NCAA Division III athletic conference and offers 21 teams plus esports. Student- athletes account for roughly 45 percent of the Hendrix student body. The Hendrix Warriors compete in the Southern Athletic Association but will return to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in Fall 2025 . Leadership Dr. Karen Petersen, the 13th President of Hendrix College, took office in June 2023. A native of northwest Arkansas, Dr. Petersen joined the Hendrix community from the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she was a professor of political science and Dean of the Henry Kendall College of Arts and Sciences. Before joining the University of Tulsa, Dr. Petersen served 16 years at her undergraduate alma mater Middle Tennessee State College, a large regional comprehensive university in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Dr. Petersen and the Hendrix community are supported by the Senior Leadership Team of the College. In conjunction with the president, the Senior Administration manages the day-to-day operations of Hendrix, working closely with the Hendrix Board of Trustees to establish goals and priorities for the institution. All leaders must be low-ego team members willing to demonstrate courage and vulnerability with all constituents. The Senior Leadership Team culture is one of open discussion followed by purposeful action. It is a team willing to try new approaches and absolutely committed to continuous improvement-all in an effort to make campus better for our students and a more rewarding place for faculty and staff. Purpose Hendrix College cultivates empathy, creativity, self-understanding, rigorous inquiry, informed deliberation, and active learning across the liberal arts, toward the development of the whole person. Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy. To learn more about the Hendrix College mission and vision visit https://www.hendrix.edu/Policy/Academic_Affairs_-_Faculty_and_Administration/Mission_Statements/. Strategic Planning Under the leadership of President Karen Petersen, Hendrix is currently engaged in an inclusive strategic planning process expected to culminate in the summer of 2025. The strategic plan will be shaped, in part, by market research that is currently underway and by the intense pressures facing residential liberal arts colleges. The successful candidate will understand clearly and be prepared to support a president committed to leading a remarkable institution through the challenges facing higher education while simultaneously investing in the future. The Vice President for Enrollment must bring the wisdom and knowledge of an experienced, innovative enrollment leader to a dynamic, engaged team. Finances The Hendrix endowment (including the Hendrix-Murphy endowment) is at the $200 million level, and operating budget expenses for the current year are $41 million. Hendrix College will celebrate its sesquicentennial in 2026 and launch a Campaign. To enter its next 150 years in a strong competitive position, the College is focused on increasing and sustaining robust enrollments, containing costs, improving student retention and success, growing its already strong endowment, and identifying alternative revenue streams. The VPEM will play a crucial role in securing the financial future of Hendrix College, and the successful candidate must have a clear sense of urgency and responsibility around their role in enhancing and sustaining student revenue. Compensation and the Hendrix Work Environment Compensation for the position is expected to be competitive and is based on the skills and experience of the selected candidate; consult with the NES search team for insights. Additionally, Hendrix College offers a comprehensive package of benefits. The selected candidate will reside in or near Conway, Arkansas, in this visible campus and community-based leadership position. Conway, Arkansas The fastest growing city in Arkansas, Conway is home to three higher education institutions and is known as the City of Colleges. The local public utility and the city's Chamber of Commerce were established to recruit and support higher education institutions, of which Hendrix College was the first. Leadership of the three colleges, the city administration, the Chamber, and local businesses all work well together to improve life in Conway and support its growth and development. Conway's population, currently at 70,000, is projected to grow to 90,000 by 2050. Hendrix College is located in Conway's vibrant downtown historic district with planning underway by the College and the City to build out a new corridor connecting the College to downtown. With an educated population, low cost of living, a beautiful setting in the Natural State, and proximity to the State Capitol, Conway provides a high quality of life. Economic investment in Central Arkansas provides robust opportunities for families. Arkansas's outdoor recreation economy is a priority for public and private investment, led by significant investment by the Walton family. Lakes, rivers, mountain biking trails, hiking, rock climbing, hunting, and fishing opportunities abound. At the same time, both Central and Northwest Arkansas are home to world-class fine and performing arts opportunities, including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. Located on the I-40/I-30 corridor, Dallas, Tulsa, Memphis, and Northwest Arkansas are easily accessible, which provides Hendrix with tremendous recruiting advantages. Location will become a prime factor in strategic planning. The successful candidate will appreciate the value and significance of our location. To Apply NES, a higher education search firm specializing in enrollment management searches, is assisting Hendrix in identifying the College's next Vice President for Enrollment. For more information, or to nominate someone for this position, contact Catherine Capolupo (catherine.capoluponessearches.com), Betsy Gingerich (betsy.gingerichnessearches.com), or Mary Napier (mary.napiernessearches.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 position at Hendrix College. Candidates should also provide the names and contact information of at least five professional references. For confidentiality, references will not be contacted without permission. In submitting application materials, candidates agree to adhere to Hendrix College's background and social media check. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted electronically to hendrixnessearches.com by November 13, 2024. The search will continue until the position is filled. The position is campus-based and the preferred start date is Spring 2025. Hendrix College strives to maintain an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where members of the Hendrix Community treat each other with respect, dignity, and courtesy. The College adheres to the principle of equal educational and employment opportunity without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or national origin.