Stephen Lee has been named executive director of admissions and recruitment at West Virginia University.
Lee, formerly the director of admissions at Lock Haven University (Pa.), will provide strategic leadership in the recruitment of undergraduate students and the admissions operations for undergraduate, graduate and professional students at WVU.
“I am very excited about having someone with Stephen’s proven track record in innovative recruiting practices joining the Enrollment Services team at WVU,” said Brenda Thompson, associate vice president for enrollment management in announcing the appointment Monday (Aug. 29). “Given the changing demographics we expect to see in the next several years with declining numbers of high school graduates, it will be critical for us to find new and creative ways and markets to maintain our enrollment.
“I’m looking forward to working with him as we face these challenges together.”
Lee started at WVU on Aug. 15; his hiring completed the integration of the Office of Admissions with Undergraduate Recruitment.
“This will be an excellent opportunity to work for a university with a national reputation with first-rate academic programs and quality student programs,” Lee said. “I look forward to taking the next step of my career and being able to bring my experience to WVU.
“I bring the experience of a diversity of institutions – public and private. Through that perspective, I can offer up ideas and leadership that will move the admissions office forward in the future.”
Lee said WVU offers an affordable education at a flagship public institution, which is an ideal package for prospective students. According to Lee, WVU will continue to develop new ways to recruit students by using social media, extensive print and electronic telemarketing campaigns and continued work with high schools.
Lee said he is impressed with WVU’s current recruiting process, particularly the visitation opportunities the University offers.
“It’s important to keep up with the trends that are going on that 18-year-olds value and appreciate,” Lee said. “At the same time, we really have never lost the core feature, which is to identify your markets, outreach to your prospects and bring them to campus for a stellar visitation experience.”
Prior to taking his position at WVU, Lee was the director of admissions at Lock Haven for 10 years. From 1997 to 2001, he was Lock Haven’s associate director of admission at Lock Haven. He has also spent time at Siena College (N.Y.), University of Texas at San Antonio and Keystone Junior College (Pa.).
Lee graduated from Lock Haven in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. He earned a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology – Counseling and Guidance in 1995 from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2010, he earned a doctorate in Education, Administration and Leadership Studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Lee has served on multiple committees including the Strategic Planning Committee and Standards of Good Practice Committee of the Pennsylvania Association of College Admissions Counseling. He was also the president (2003) and vice president (2002) of the Pennsylvania University Admissions Association.
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CONTACT: Brenda Thompson, WVU Enrollment Management
304.293.3837, Brenda.Thompson@mail.wvu.edu
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