Two higher education veterans to expand enrollment team
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
Lipscomb University has appointed two higher education enrollment and recruitment experts to its enrollment management office, President L. Randolph Lowry recently announced.
Byron Lewis has been named vice president of enrollment management and Jason Hamilton has been appointed assistant vice president of graduate, online and corporate recruiting at Lipscomb. Lewis is currently associate dean of undergraduate admission at Southern Methodist University. Prior to his appointment at Lipscomb, Hamilton served as the executive director of Arkansas Commitment Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides African-American high school students with leadership development opportunities and connection to some of the finest colleges in America.
“Enrollment management is a key area for universities as they seek to connect with prospective students and match them with institutions and programs that will help them achieve their educational goals and to be successful long after they graduate,” said Lowry. “Byron Lewis and Jason Hamilton have unique expertise that will enhances the strong foundation we have built over the last decade as our enrollment and the number of academic programs we offer has grown tremendously. Their vision and leadership will help us connect with prospective students in new and innovative ways.”
Since 2005, Lipscomb University enrollment has increased more than 84 percent. In that same time period, the number of full time faculty has doubled, graduate enrollment has increased by nearly 650 percent and the number of undergraduate and graduate academic programs has grown to over 200, including the launch of three doctoral programs. In addition, two years ago Lipscomb was reclassified as a Carnegie Foundation doctoral university, placing it among only seven percent of schools in the nation.
As vice president for enrollment management, Lewis will lead all undergraduate and graduate recruiting, admissions and sales/marketing efforts. In addition, he will develop a new comprehensive approach to graduate recruiting and enrollment management, which will include discussions about the role financial aid plays in the enrollment management area.
Prior to his appointment at Lipscomb, Lewis also served as interim dean of undergraduate admission at SMU and was a college counselor at Greater Atlanta Christian School. Lewis will begin his new role at Lipscomb April 1. He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from Freed-Hardeman University and has completed coursework toward an Ed.S. from Tennessee Technological University. Lewis succeeds Rick Holaway, current vice president for enrollment who is transitioning to a full-time faculty role in Lipscomb’s College of Business this fall.
“The sense of community at Lipscomb University is strong and was an important consideration in deciding to join the work there,” said Lewis. “I’ve been impressed with Lipscomb’s continued growth and impact over the last decade as well as the vision of its leadership. Lipscomb has a compelling story to share with students and parents across the country and around the world, and I’m thrilled to join a team of enrollment professionals who are excited about the students with whom they work. I look forward to continuing Lipscomb’s positive momentum, as together we move the university’s goals and strategies forward.”
As assistant vice president of graduate, online and corporate recruiting, Hamilton will lead all recruiting, admissions and marketing efforts for the graduate and online programs as well as work with businesses to meet specific post-baccalaureate education needs. He will work with Michael Winegeart, Lipscomb’s vice president of corporate relations, to collaborate with business and academic program leaders to create, offer and market academic products (degree and non-degree) to fulfill needs in the marketplace.
In addition to his work at Arkansas Commitment Inc., Hamilton led enrollment and recruiting efforts at the University of the South, one of the most prestigious colleges in Tennessee, and served as vice president of enrollment management and marketing at Hollins University, a woman's institution located in Roanoke, Virginia. Hamilton is a graduate of the University of the South, and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Lewis and Hamilton join an enrollment management team that also includes Johnathan Akin, assistant vice president of undergraduate admissions; Reggie Blair, senior director of undergraduate admissions; and Lauren Saunders, director of admissions.
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb University and its programs have been ranked among the top in the nation. For the third year in a row, Lipscomb University was named to the Kiplinger Personal Finance list of 100 best values in private universities. Other recent recognition includes its School of Music, housed in the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts, being recognized as one of the country’s top 25 programs by SuccessfulStudent.org; the College of Business's accounting program named the No. 2 in the nation and top in Tennessee in Christian Universities Online’s Top 10 Christian Accounting Degree Programs 2017 ranking; and the athletics program earning its fourth consecutive Atlantic Sun Conference Academic Champion Trophy presented to the school in the league with the highest percentage of student-athletes that have claimed a 3.0 grade-point average or higher.
In addition, Lipscomb University was named No. 6 in the nation and the top university in Tennessee in the Top 50 Christian Colleges & Universities for Veterans 2017 ranking released by Christian Universities Online. Its Master of Science in health care informatics program has been ranked No. 11 in the nation by Healthcare Administration Degree Programs. The Lipscomb University College of Education’s secondary education teacher preparation program was once again ranked one of the top in the nation by the National Council on Teacher Quality in its 2017 ratings for 717 undergraduate programs that prepare high school teachers. The Lipscomb University Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering has been named the best in Tennessee and No. 6 best in the nation by Christian Universities Online.
Want to know more? Visit www.lipscomb.edu.