Vice President for Enrollment
Sam Houston State University, a public regional university in Texas, seeks a dedicated, experienced, and entrepreneurial professional to serve as Vice President for Enrollment (VPE) and capture the university's ethos of innovation and creativity in executing a bold vision for enrollment.
With a student population of more than 21,000, Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is located in Huntsville, Texas, with an off-site instructional location in The Woodlands, the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Conroe and a robust online presence through SHSU Online. Huntsville is located on the rapidly developing Interstate 45 corridor between Houston and Dallas. SHSU is 70 miles north of downtown Houston and 170 miles south of Dallas, ideally situated between the 4th and 9th largest cities in the country and two of the 10 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. This location presents many strategic opportunities for the future of Sam Houston State University.
For more than 145 years, SHSU has been preparing students for meaningful lives of achievement. SHSU continually strives to honor its historical roots through academic excellence and meeting the workforce needs of Texas which is demonstrated by the launch of SamPoly – a cutting-edge Polytechnic College designed to immediately equip students with industry-driven skills and workforce-ready training. While embracing its legacy, SHSU also strives to meet the needs of contemporary students, both in person and online. SHSU offers more than 95 bachelor's degree programs, more than 60 master's degree programs, nine doctoral programs, one professional doctorate (DO), and over 50 fully online degrees. SHSU is classified as a Carnegie doctoral university with high research activity (R2). It is also a Community Engaged University certified by the Carnegie Foundation, and a proud AASCU institution, demonstrating a commitment to education for the public good. SHSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SHSU is part of the Texas State University System, the first university system established in Texas, composed of seven institutions.
The VPE is the Chief Enrollment Officer and is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive enrollment strategy to attract, retain, and support a diverse student body across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The VPE provides direct visionary leadership and strategic direction to key enrollment units including undergraduate recruitment and admissions, undergraduate and graduate financial aid and scholarships, the registrar's office, student account services, enrollment technologies, veteran's benefits processing, testing center, undergraduate enrollment marketing and communications, medical school admissions, financial aid and registration, visitor services and campus tours, graduate admissions processing, and student money management. The role oversees a team of 150 staff and an annual operating budget of $20 million.
The successful candidate will be a results-driven, creative, innovative leader with a proven track record in enrollment management and growth, or comparable skills from a related field, alongside expertise in strategic planning, data-informed decision-making, and a commitment to student success. The next leader will be a creative thinker who can expand enrollment through new markets, programs, and ways of working. The next VPE will also possess impeccable integrity; strong communication and interpersonal skills; an ability to effectively lead, develop, and mentor a complex team; and excellent strategic planning and thinking skills. While university experience is a plus, SHSU welcomes applications from non-traditional sources who will express how they might reimagine university enrollment practices. SHSU seeks an out-of-the-box thinker who can build relationships inside and outside campus and strategic partnerships to best position the university for future success.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile available at https://wittkieffer.com/positions/200946.
WittKieffer is assisting the Sam Houston State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by June 2, 2025. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal at https://apptrkr.com/6138488.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Ashlee Winters Musser, Amy Crutchfield, and Corin Edwards
SHSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity or expression. Sam Houston State University is an "at will" employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code § 51.215. SHSU is committed to promoting a campus culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. The University acknowledges and values our responsibility to cultivate an equitable and inclusive environment where students, faculty, staff, and community recognize the benefits of collaboration and mutual respect through diverse identities and experiences.
