Vice president of enrollment and student services position separates to focus on enrollment
Vice President Steven L. Johnson looks at his computer during the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 26, 2018 in the President's Conference Room. Johnson’s resignation was announced in a University Communications press release on May 15, 2019.
Declining enrollment and retaining students are concerns at Central Michigan University serious enough to require additional, full-time leadership.
President Bob Davies also believes delivering high-quality student services could benefit from more focused, dedicated oversight. That's why Davies announced last week that the university's Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services position will be split into two separate jobs.
Steven Johnson, the first person to serve in that position, started in January 2012. Johnson’s role was helping meet enrollment goals, growing student retention and graduation rates, ensuring that CMU remained competitive with other universities and assisting with marketing.
Johnson announced his resignation in a University Communications press release on May 15, 2019. Tony Voisin, the associate vice president for student affairs, began serving as interim on July 1. Shaun Holtgrieve serves as interim associate vice president of student affairs.
On Aug. 29, Davies announced the university's plan to split the position into two roles – Vice President of Student Recruitment and Retention and Vice President of Student Affairs.
“As we had the opening with the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services, this was the time to look at the structures, to look at the duties, the functions, the reporting lines and match those with our goals, objectives, strengths, weaknesses and issues within the bigger environment,” Davies said.
When evaluating restructuring the position, university administrators looked at different organizational structures and viewpoints, Davies explained, as well as how those roles are staffed at other universities.
“This follows very similar to what other universities have done,” Davies said. “I wanted to be very clear that this position is about student recruitment and retention and therefore used that name.”
The Vice President of Student Recruitment and Retention will have oversight on a variety of areas including recruiting, admissions, financial aid and scholarships.
“I think with the enrollment falling at CMU as it is right now, it’s really important to shift focus and have the emphasis on recruitment that we may have been lacking," said Student Government Association President Jake Hendricks, a senior from Traverse City. "It’s a good step in the right direction.”
The Vice President of Student Affairs will focus on services offered to students, including the Counseling Center, University Recreation and the Veterans’ Resource Center.
“Having that split now, and having one person who is dedicated to student services, is going to benefit not just our student organizations, but all of us in the long run,” said Taylor senior Madison Mariles, Program Board's president.
A search firm that will seek candidates for these positions has yet to be named. A search committee has not yet been organized.
CMU has seven vice presidents in the President’s Cabinet, not counting the provost. After these positions are filled, there will be eight.
