Brenda Thompson will step down as West Virginia University’s associate vice president for enrollment management on March 1, but will remain at the University as senior advisor for student aid strategies to Narvel Weese, vice president of administration and finance.

Stephen Lee, executive director of admissions, will become interim associate vice president.

Provost Joyce McConnell describes the transition as reflective of Thompson’s tremendous contributions to the University since she was named to lead the office in 2002.

“Brenda is associated with so many ‘firsts’ in student services at WVU,” McConnell said. “She implemented our first automated financial aid system, deployed the first comprehensive centralized scholarship program for incoming students, and established the Veterans Advocate Office, which has recently garnered national attention. We are so grateful for all that she has done and look forward to her further contributions in her new role.”

During Thompson’s tenure as associate vice president of enrollment management, the Morgantown campus headcount grew from nearly 23,000 in 2001 to more than 29,000 in 2014. Even as the freshman class size grew, the academic profile also improved, with increases in both the average grade point average and average standardized test scores of matriculated students.

“Colleges and universities nationwide have been facing an enrollment crisis for the last few years,” said Vice Provost Russ Dean, who heads up enrollment initiatives for the provost. “But under Brenda’s leadership, we experienced a significantly smaller enrollment dip than did many of our peers. She implemented practical, effective solutions to the obstacles that prevent students from succeeding, from unmet financial need to difficulty navigating the admissions and records systems on campus.”

Thompson was also instrumental in developing the planned one-stop shop for student services that will open in the Evansdale Crossing building on the Evansdale campus in Fall 2015. In her new role in Weese’s office, she will coordinate the implementation of this unit, among other duties.

“As a first generation student whose life was forever changed by a college education, I feel passionately about affording others the same opportunity,” Thompson said. “Finding ways to help students remove barriers to enrolling and continuing their education will always be important to me.”

Thompson also expressed confidence in Lee’s ability to lead the unit. “Stephen is such an asset to WVU,” she said. “He brings vision and excitement to his role and students really respond to his initiatives.”

The University will begin a search for a permanent associate vice president for enrollment management this spring.

-WVU-

ac/02/02/15

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