Following a national search, Stephen Lee has been named the associate vice president for enrollment management at West Virginia University, where he has been the executive director of admissions and recruitment since August 2011 and interim in the enrollment management role since February 2015.

As the permanent associate vice president for enrollment management, Lee will report to Vice Provost Russ Dean and work with other units on campus, including University Relations, the Division of Student Life, the Provost’s Office and the President’s Office, to develop and execute the enrollment goals and strategy for the university; design effective recruitment strategies for students in target markets; and recruit diverse and academically talented students to WVU from in-state, out of state and internationally.

Dean said that Lee quickly emerged as the top candidate in the search. “We had a strong candidate pool, but Stephen distinguished himself not just because he already knows our campus and our students so well, but with a balance of vision and proven effectiveness in recruiting terrific students.”

Provost Joyce McConnell is also enthusiastic about Lee’s appointment. “In four years, Stephen has absolutely transformed our admissions and recruiting office and our strategy, with exciting results in terms of the kind of students who are now applying to WVU and joining the Mountaineer family,” McConnell said. “We are attracting more high-achieving students to campus than ever and expanding our reach both regionally and internationally to make our campus both more diverse and more globally engaged.”

Lee, who previously spent 10 years as director of admission at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania, implemented numerous innovations and new strategies in the same role at WVU. He expanded the recruiting staff and enhanced their training to make them more effective ambassadors for the University, made WVU part of the nationwide network of colleges and universities that accept the common application, and worked with many on-campus partners to redesign recruitment and orientation events both on campus and across the state.

“I cannot tell you how pleased I am to have Stephen overseeing all of our enrollment management,” said President E. Gordon Gee, who has been one of Lee’s most active and enthusiastic partners in recruiting students. “We know that we work at a great university with wonderful faculty. Stephen has determined how to bring outstanding young people to West Virginia University – get them to campus and show them our special spirit.”

Maintaining enrollment is a concern of many universities today, as college tuition costs and student loan debt remain issues for many families and students demand more than ever out of their education. Lee said he is looking forward to the challenges his new role will pose.

“I am honored that President Gee, Provost McConnell and Vice Provost Russ Dean have faith in my ability to lead the Enrollment Management Division,” Lee said. “I look forward to working with the dedicated and talented staff in the Enrollment Management Division and campus community to achieve our enrollment objectives going forward.”

His appointment was effective Aug. 24.

-WVU-

ac/08/25/15

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