What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President for Enrollment position at Mercyhurst University?
Mercyhurst University
Erie, Pennsylvania
Vice President for Enrollment
We are Ambassadors of service: socially merciful, globally responsible, compassionately
hospitable, intellectually creative, and reflectively aware.
~Mercyhurst University Core Values
THE OPPORTUNITY
Mercyhurst University announces a search for Vice President for Enrollment. A
comprehensive university founded in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercyhurst offers
students excellent undergraduate and graduate educational options coupled with a
commitment to engage for life in becoming leaders in justice and service. The new
Vice President for Enrollment will bring deep experience, an understanding of
enrollment challenges facing prospective students, knowledge of student behaviors
across a complex set of markets, and solutions for strong enrollment results and the
ability to offer a compelling vision of the caring community that is Mercyhurst. The
Vice President will invite the Mercyhurst community to join in the implementation of
innovative, data-driven initiatives to recruit and retain students as well as advance the
university’s reputation.
Reporting to President Kathleen Getz, the Vice President for Enrollment will be a
collaborative colleague and leader within the President’s Cabinet. As the university’s
chief enrollment and chief financial aid officer, the Vice President will motivate and
manage a professional team of 37 full-time staff which includes undergraduate,
graduate, and professional admissions; Student Financial Services; Marketing and
Brand Management; International Student Office; and Veterans Services Office. The
Vice President will create and implement strategic enrollment and marketing plans
that support the strategic goals of the university. The Vice President will also lend
support and insights to the university’s retention efforts. The Vice President will join
Mercyhurst at a notable and exciting time, as the community acknowledges its rich
history and remarkable legacy during Mercyhurst’s centennial celebration in two years.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Vice President for Enrollment will be responsible for the following duties and
priorities:
- Lead the community in developing and implementing an integrated,
compelling strategic enrollment plan that allows Mercyhurst to reach
institutional enrollment goals including headcount, discount, net revenue, and
profile benchmarks.
- Encourage and coordinate the collective participation of the campus
activities.
- Direct and ensure optimum levels of enrollment growth across each of the
- Supply the Cabinet, Board of Trustees, and community with accurate
landscape; educate the campus community in understanding challenges and
impact on the community and its programs; and lead in designing and
launching programs and initiatives that meet the evolving needs of the
marketplace and desires of today’s students.
- Recommend strategic actions and policy to the President and fellow members
professional programs in attracting and enrolling qualified students.
- Provide motivational leadership for the Enrollment Management team,
professional growth in support of the university’s mission, vision, and core
values.
- Communicate with regularity and transparency to the university community on
and outcomes of enrollment efforts.
- As liaison to the Enrollment and Revenue Committee of the Board of Trustees,
and informing trustees on the nuances of enrollment management practices,
market behavior, and progress toward goals.
- Act as an advisor to the President in all enrollment management matters, serve
as assigned by the President. Serve on university committees related to
enrollment, retention, student life, marketing, financial aid, and other initiatives.
- Provide leadership and direction for Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate and
Professional Admissions, the International Student Office, the Office of Veterans
Services, Student Financial Services, and Marketing and Brand Management.
- Cultivate leaders within each department and support their ability to develop
support in the development of skills and retention of staff within Enrollment
Management.
- Strengthen all aspects of the recruitment funnel across pipelines, including
processing, review, and yield initiatives.
- Maximize the use of Slate, Mercyhurst’s CRM, for funnel management, analytics,
implementation of new features and tools; and leverage solutions in meeting
the evolving needs and expectations of students.
- Lead the Enrollment Management team, leveraging their passion for
evolving educational desires of students, families, and the Mercyhurst
community.
- Implement targeted recruitment initiatives that account for changing
unique markets and populations.
- Apply analytical skills and leverage technology using institutional and
opportunities for recruitment strategy and activities; immerse team
members in analysis and application of data within the scope of their
positions; and establish a culture of access and transparency in the
appropriate sharing of information and data.
- Accelerate the university’s successful recruitment of students from diverse
populations, leading the Enrollment team in further developing their own
cultural awareness, competence, and commitment to diversity, equity,
inclusion, and justice. Identify opportunities and implement initiatives that
advance the enrollment of a diverse student body.
- Actively participate in the university-wide movement to be an equity-minded
success for an increasingly diverse array of students, faculty, and staff. Partner
with the Vice President for Mission and the inaugural Director of Diversity,
Equity, Inclusion, and Justice to maximize the collective efforts of the division
and community in fostering a just and inclusive culture.
- Partner with faculty, staff, coaches, alumni, trustees, donors, and
of students, to enhance Mercyhurst’s stature and reputation among
regional, national, and international communities, and best utilize
resources to support and retain students.
- Possess experience and provide a progressive, contemporary approach to merit
awards and need-based financial aid that is responsive to the overall financial
picture of the institution.
- Possess knowledge of, and strong practical experience in:
- Pricing strategies for both undergraduate and graduate students.
- Strategies for modeling and leveraging financial aid with the
- The impact of pricing on diverse populations.
- The effective balance of merit and financial assistance for
- Management of student loan debt.
- The importance of financial literacy and customer service.
- Oversee the responsibility of Student Financial Services in serving both
with federal and state funding sources.
- Ensure a high level of culturally responsive customer service to students
- Develop, manage, and maintain an Enrollment Management budget that
university; respond effectively to changes, opportunities, and challenges;
maximize the effectiveness of all resources.
- Partner with all campus stakeholders, including alumni and trustees, in
expanding the recruitment reach in developing territories, events, and
populations.
- Possess an understanding of NCAA regulations for Division II athletics
administrators to facilitate the strategic recruitment of student athletes.
- Collaborate institutionally to increase retention and graduation rates among all
collection of data, sharing of information, and development of programs, and
enhancement of the student experience and outcomes.
- Partner in and network with local, regional, and national organizations and
enhance the position and reputation of Mercyhurst University.
- Lead the Enrollment team in developing successful collaborations with
organizations, which enhance the reputation of the university and
support enrollments.
- Lead the Marketing and Brand Management team in collaborating with
campus partners to develop bold marketing strategies that reach, influence,
and illustrate a compelling story for prospective students, families, and
counselors as they consider Mercyhurst.
- Design and implement innovative communications and engagement
articulate the value of a Mercyhurst education to students and families
pursuing both liberal arts and professional degrees.
- Develop engaging recruitment and yield campaigns to elevate the reputation
students domestically and internationally.
- Leverage multiple sources of data and intelligence, both quantitative
opportunities for recruitment activities and messaging that authentically
represent the Mercyhurst experience.
- Lead the institution in executing and analyzing survey data to better
perceptions of Mercyhurst, its offerings and its reputation.
- Lead marketing and brand efforts, educating on the assets and
members to identify and address their needs.
- Represent the university regionally and nationally, enhancing
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
A bachelor’s degree is required, as is a minimum of 7-10 years of experience in
enrollment management within higher education, specifically in admissions, financial
aid, financial services, retention, or marketing. Exceptionally strong leadership skills
and an advanced degree are strongly preferred. In addition, candidates for this
position should demonstrate the following characteristics, skills, abilities, and
understanding:
- Demonstrated commitment to higher education in the tradition of the liberal
graduate programs.
- Knowledge of national trends and developments in recruitment, retention,
- Experience in developing and implementing comprehensive strategic
- Experience establishing annual enrollment goals, benchmarks, and assessment
- Analytical and outcomes-orientation with the ability to gather and
with institutional stakeholders; specific experience in forecasting, goal
setting, and revenue enhancement.
- Proven track record in the successful enrollment of students including
historically underserved populations.
- Success in partnering across a community in developing and implementing
credit hour, discount, net revenue, and profile goals.
- Experience in the evaluation and adjustment of pricing strategies,
to articulate pricing changes effectively and compellingly to prospective
students and families.
- Knowledge of budget preparation, monitoring, and administration with an
- Visible and approachable leader with the ability to rally a community and foster
reputation.
- Ability to build positive, respectful, and trusting relationships with a diverse
mindedness, an inclusion approach, and a growth mindset.
- Unflappable demeanor, excellent listener, and a highly effective communicator,
parents, high school representatives and administrators, community-based
organizations, adult learners, international students, distance-learning students,
graduate students, alumni, faculty, trustees, and staff within the entire university
community.
- Effective change agent, able to demonstrate respect for individual and
the future.
- Demonstrated expertise in and commitment to recruiting students from
in which all students can thrive and be successful.
- Ability to develop and create market-penetrating messages and
students and families.
- Strong understanding of systems and technology and the ability to lead others
student experience.
- Experience leveraging CRM technology in communicating with students,
- Ability to foster a future-oriented team that can translate goals, strategies, and
- Proactive and well-informed educator with a commitment to fostering the
- Demonstrated history of supporting student development and a sincere
- Ability to inspire, motivate, and lead a hard-working, energetic team; recognize
opportunities to enhance their work and professional growth.
- Ability to be bold, creative, and visionary, while also being collegial, collaborative,
- Ability to work with energy and humility in a team environment valuing shared,
students.
- Passionate commitment to Mercyhurst’s institutional mission, an
to a rapidly changing environment.
- Charismatic and engaging with boundless energy tempered by wisdom
education.
- Exceptional creative and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize tasks
MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY
Mercyhurst University is a fully accredited, Catholic, comprehensive institution
founded in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Mercyhurst is an
academic community of 2,900 students and 500 dedicated faculty, administrators,
and staff. The university educates students for purposeful lives and careers through
academic programs of national and international distinction; unique cultural,
extracurricular and athletic programs; and opportunities for service. In keeping with its
liberal arts heritage, Mercyhurst emphasizes the dignity of each person and is
committed to an examination of values as well as to quality academic, professional,
and career training, all within a climate of inquiry, collegiality, diversity, and
achievement. Mercyhurst has emerged as one of the leading regional universities in
the North and continues to achieve top-tier recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s
annual college rankings. With its successful history and a promising future, Mercyhurst
pursues the dream of its founders, to achieve academic greatness high on the hill
overlooking Lake Erie.
History and Centennial
In 1926, the Sisters of Mercy in the Diocese of Erie founded Mercyhurst College.
Leading the effort was Mother M. Borgia Egan, whose determination and supervision
made the venture a success. The Sisters of Mercy believed strongly in the education
and empowerment of women, and accordingly, Mercyhurst College was a women-
only institution for its first several decades. The Mercyhurst community enjoys a 75-
acre contiguous campus, featuring manicured lawns, stately gothic architecture, the
peaceful and historic Grotto, and the iconic iron gates that welcome all who visit
campus.
From its earliest days, Mercyhurst has been a trailblazing institution, taking
considerable pride in creating signature programs that are unlike offerings anywhere
else in the nation, such as the nationally recognized Carpe Diem Academy, the
innovative Intelligence Studies program, and the award-winning Autism Initiative at
Mercyhurst.
Since its founding nearly a century ago, Mercyhurst has undergone significant
changes. From welcoming its first male students in 1969 to offering its first graduate
program in 1978 to gaining university status in 2012, the institution has proven time
and again its ability not only to adapt to changing times but also to put change in
motion. Mercyhurst has emerged as a major force in the educational landscape of the
region, while remaining true to its mission as a private Catholic comprehensive
university in the Mercy tradition.
As Mercyhurst approaches its centennial in 2026, the university is taking steps to enter
a new era that simultaneously embraces the future while honoring the past. For
example, the university has officially applied for recognition through the National
Register of Historic Places. As envisioned, the Mercyhurst National Historic District
would be anchored by institutional cornerstones Old Main and Christ the King Chapel
and will extend across much of the campus and include buildings erected into the late
1960s. Once listed, Mercyhurst would join a select group of institutions in Pennsylvania
with expansive historic districts, led by the University of Pennsylvania and the
University of Pittsburgh. In addition to the National Historic Register project, the
university’s Centennial Task Force is also conducting oral histories and creating a series
of interpretive markers at various points on campus to augment the university’s
historical significance.
Leadership
In 2021, Dr. Kathleen Getz became the 13th president of Mercyhurst, ushering in a new
era of university leadership in advance of the Mercyhurst centennial celebration. A
mission-driven servant leader with 18 years of senior university leadership, Getz is also
an enthusiastic and successful fundraiser, experienced with capital campaigns, annual
and planned giving, cultivation, and stewardship. She has expertise in identifying new
revenue streams, reducing overall costs, and redirecting resources to achieve better
results. She is also known for her influence in bringing together diverse efforts and
populations toward common goals, such as accreditation and implementing new
curricula.
The President’s Cabinet features experienced and collaborative university leaders
committed to actively partnering to achieve a high level of enrollment success. As
Mercyhurst moves strategically toward its centennial in 2026, the university is
committed to fortifying institutional vitality, enhancing the student experience, and
supporting an organizational culture grounded in inclusion and collaboration.
Strategic Planning
The current university strategic plan, titled “Ingenuity, Energy, and Perseverance, 2022-
2025,” was developed through a comprehensive evaluation of the Mercyhurst mission
and core values. The plan serves as a guide for making key institutional decisions and
allocating resources, with metrics to determine progress that are shared with key
stakeholders.
Through engaging in self-appraisal in this integrated and meaningful way during both
the Self-Study and Strategic Plan processes, Mercyhurst has identified the following
institutional priorities:
- Fortify our institutional vitality across all dimensions.
- Enhance the Mercyhurst student experience through mission-grounded
programming, experiential learning, and the personal, academic, spiritual, and
civic development of each student.
- Support an organizational culture grounded in practices of inclusion and
Mercyhurst received an accreditation reaffirmation in 2022 from the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education. (MCSHE self-study documents can be found here.)
The next round of university self-study evaluation is scheduled for 2029-30.
Vision
Mercyhurst University seeks to be a leading higher educational institution that
integrates excellence in the liberal arts, professional and career-path programs, and
service to regional and world communities.
Mission Statement
Consistent with its Catholic identity and Mercy heritage, Mercyhurst educates diverse
persons in a culture where faith and reason flourish together, where the beauty and
power of the liberal arts combine with an appreciation for the dignity of work and a
commitment to serving others. Confident in the strength of its student-faculty bonds,
the university community is inspired by the image of students whose choices, in life
and work, will enable them to realize the human and spiritual values embedded in
everyday realities and to exercise leadership in service toward a just world.
- Socially merciful - Mercy restores human dignity, expands our social relations,
- Globally responsible - Globalization challenges us to learn how to steward the
- Compassionately hospitable - Mercy hospitality begins with self-acceptance,
welcomes peoples of different faith, ethnic, and cultural traditions, and thus
builds communities that transcend mere tolerance.
- Intellectually creative - Generous, inquiring, and critical habits of mind, which
community, encourage us in our lifelong search for what is true, good, and
beautiful.
- Reflectively aware - Our Christian environment encourages self-reflection and
and ultimately offers the opportunity to develop a moral compass for a life of
integrity.
Academic Programs
A Mercyhurst education provides students with hands-on experiences in and outside
the classroom that are essential to career success, while remaining committed to
fostering ethical graduates with a social justice orientation. Mercyhurst features 80
undergraduate majors across four academic colleges (Hafenmaier College of
Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and
Applied Sciences, the Walker College of Business, and the Zurn College of Natural and
Health Sciences. Among these offerings the university features flagship programs in
Applied Forensic Sciences, Business, Cyber Security, Education, Intelligence Studies,
and Nursing. Mercyhurst also offers a variety of programs through both on-campus
and online formats as well as several 4 1 dual-degree programs. All courses are taught
by our award-winning faculty, and students receive highly personalized, one-on-one
support through small class sizes. Through vibrant programming in experiential
learning, including numerous venues for study abroad, internships and co-ops, clinical
placements in allied health and education, and research, Mercyhurst remains on the
cutting edge of higher learning. While teaching remains at the historic heart of the
Mercy tradition, the university supports many research and advocacy institutes
including the Mercyhurst Institute for Applied Behavioral Studies and the Mercyhurst
Center for Applied Politics.
Campus Life
Consistent with the Mercy tradition of honoring the whole person, Mercyhurst provides
its students with an environment that supports their intellectual, spiritual, and social
development. The university offers meaningful opportunities for student engagement
in service, work, study abroad, extracurricular activities, and non-academic experiences.
With hospitality central to the university’s Mercy Mission, Mercyhurst fosters a campus
culture that insists on respect for all people and recognizes that diversity is nearly
limitless in scope. The university seeks to be sensitive toward and supportive of a range
of diversities, including age, ability, neurotypicality, gender, gender identity or
expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, ethnicity, race, religion,
educational status, socioeconomic status, marital status, and veteran status.
Additionally, the university currently enrolls international students from 50 countries.
A residential campus, Mercyhurst offers a variety of housing options for students,
including apartments and townhouses. The newest residence hall, the $25 million
suite-style Ryan Hall was built in 2018. Mercyhurst also maintains sophisticated science
and research laboratories and three performing arts centers.
Life at Mercyhurst is vibrant and engaging, offering students various diverse
opportunities to enrich their collegiate journey. The Campus Involvement Center
connects Mercyhurst students with over 80 student organizations, allowing students
to pursue their interests, engage in community service, participate in cultural events,
or enjoy some of Mercyhurst's most beloved traditions like Hurst Day. Service and
community are at the heart of the Mercy tradition. At the end of New Student
Welcome, new Lakers spend a day out in the community engaged in hands-on service
with their peers. Students experience a variety of service opportunities in Erie including
cleaning up litter on Presque Isle beaches, stocking shelves in food pantries, and
visiting local nursing homes. Often termed “the weekend you didn’t know you
needed,” Mercyhurst Carpe Diem (CD) retreats allow students to get off campus, build
connections, and develop their relationship with their faith. This weekend experience is
the perfect way for students to make new friends and step outside their comfort zone.
CD retreats are open to students of all backgrounds and religious affiliations. As the
home of the Lakers, Mercyhurst features 26 Varsity sports teams (Division I in men’s
and women’s ice hockey, all others Division II), which are popular with students and
the surrounding community.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
Consistent with its core values of hospitality, compassion, and acceptance, Mercyhurst
seeks to honor the Sisters of Mercy with a continued commitment to their five critical
concerns: caring for women, caring for immigrants, caring for the Earth, promoting
nonviolence, and combating racism. Formed in 2021, the President’s Advisory Council
on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (PAC-DEIJ) regularly advises the President
and Cabinet while advancing strategic DEIJ goals for the university. Recent DEIJ
events held at Mercyhurst include: the Mercy March for Antiracism, MLK Day Week of
ComMUnity Student and Faculty & Staff Panels, and the Moral and Ethical Issues
Facing 21st Century Policing program hosted by the Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics
and Society.
Erie, Pennsylvania
Mercyhurst is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, nicknamed the “Gem City of the Great
Lakes.” Erie has an abundance of restaurants, museums, a world-class history center,
outstanding schools, the beautiful Presque Isle State Park, and some of the best
beaches on the Great Lakes. Home to approximately 260,000 residents, making it
Pennsylvania’s fifth-largest city, Erie has the commonwealth's only commercial port on
the Great Lakes. The campus is a short drive from the metropolitan areas of Buffalo,
Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Toronto via Interstates 79 and 90 or scenic routes such as
Route 5, and Historic Pennsylvania Route 6.
One of the region's major cultural arts centers is the Warner Theatre, home to several
professional and amateur performing arts groups, the most significant of which is the
Erie Philharmonic, one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the country. Mercyhurst’s
own Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, a vibrant part of the Erie arts community
since it opened in 1996, welcomes Broadway stars, internationally acclaimed musicians,
and luminaries of stage and screen as part of Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and
Culture’s MIAC Live programming.
The Erie Art Museum features a wealth of rotating art exhibits focusing largely on
modern and folk art. The Experience Children's Museum offers a wide variety of
interactive displays in the areas of science and the humanities. Presque Isle State Park
contains seven miles of beaches and eleven miles of hiking trails, and offers cross-
country skiing, ice fishing, and ice skating in winter. Annual events in the city include
the Erie Summer Festival of the Arts, the Wine Country Harvest Festival, Celebrate Erie,
a large urban arts and entertainment festival that takes place in mid-August, and
many more.
Sports fans enjoy a range of local options in Erie. The Erie SeaWolves are the Class
double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers. Also in town are the Erie
Otters, a junior community-based hockey team playing in the Ontario Hockey League.
Erie is also home to the Erie Freeze, a professional indoor football team, which plays in
the American Indoor Football Association.
In addition to its Erie campus, Mercyhurst operates an international academic center
in Dungarvan, Ireland.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Mercyhurst offers a competitive compensation package and a salary commensurate
with qualifications and experience. In this important leadership role, the successful
candidate will have an active on-campus presence. Mercyhurst offers a competitive
and comprehensive benefits package, including relocation assistance.
TO APPLY
NES, a higher education search firm specializing in enrollment management searches,
is assisting Mercyhurst University in its search for a Vice President for Enrollment. To
arrange for a confidential conversation or to nominate someone for this chief
enrollment officer position, please contact Catherine Capolupo
(catherine.capolupo@nessearches.com), Thom Golden
(thom.golden@nessearches.com), or Mary Napier (mary.napier@nessearches.com). To
apply, send 1) a resume, 2) a detailed letter regarding your interest in the Vice
President for Enrollment position at Mercyhurst, and 3) contact information for five
professional references by email to: mercyhurst@nessearches.com. For best
consideration, submit materials by August 18, 2023; the search will remain open until
the position is filled. The candidate will be expected to start in the fall of 2023. All
applications and nominations will be considered confidential, and notice will be given
before references are contacted.
Mercyhurst University values diversity and is committed to the goal of achieving equal opportunity for all.
For that reason, Mercyhurst abides by federal, state and local law in admissions, employment and all
services and programs provided.
Mercyhurst does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, citizenship
status, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, age, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status or any other legally protected
characteristic or because of any individual’s legally protected activities.
Mercyhurst complies with federal, state and local legislation and regulations regarding nondiscrimination.
This policy applies to faculty, administration and staff, applicants for employment, students and applicants
for educational programs and activities.
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