TERRY E. WHITTUM Professional Profile Over thirty years of successful enrollment management experience with a demonstrated record of growing enrollments, increasing academic profiles, and managing financial aid costs and tuition discount rates. I have extensive and practical experience in new student recruitment, admissions, financial aid, retention, marketing, and career services. I have proven expertise with electronic inquiry qualifying, financial aid leveraging, and the marketing of nontraditional and online programs. I have led successful enrollment management programs for traditional undergraduate and graduate programs, professional school admissions, off-site-based nontraditional programs, and online programs. I also have served as an enrollment management consultant to over twenty institutions. Professional Experience Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FL May 2008 Present Vice President for Enrollment Management Senior enrollment officer providing leadership and direct supervision to traditional, graduate, and non-traditional recruitment and admissions; as well as the Office of Financial Aid; and the Registrar s Office. Responsible for achieving enrollment goals, improving retention, and managing the institution s discount rate. Report directly to the President and a member of the President's Executive Council. In 2009, my first full year at JU, applications and acceptances more than doubled and we enrolled 928 new traditional undergraduate students, an increase of 13% over the prior year. Increased the academic profile - average SAT score has increased 45 points between 2008 (1013) and 2012 (1058) - without significantly raising the overall tuition discount rate. First to second year retention has increased ten percentage points between 2008 and 2013. Filled cohorts for two new graduate programs, increased enrollments in our aviation program. Doubled the size of our Honors Program. Implemented a data-based student search initiative Designed and implemented a financial aid leveraging program. Reintroduced an alumni admissions program. Introduced the Center for Professional Studies, a one-stop enrollment and
Whittum 2 student services center for our nontraditional student programs. Mercer University Macon, GA January 2007 May 2008 Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management Senior enrollment officer charged with providing leadership in developing and implementing a comprehensive enrollment and retention strategy for the University's undergraduate programs in Macon, Atlanta and the Regional Academic Centers. Oversee and provide direct daily supervision of the Offices of Admissions and Financial Planning. Report directly to the President and a member of the President's Executive Council. New student enrollments in both the traditional and non-traditional programs increased each term. 2008 traditional freshman class grew while maintaining the academic profile and lowering our tuition discount rate. Fall 2008 applications were at an all time high, the academic profile increased as did campus visits. Noel-Levitz, Inc. January 2001 Present (Part-time) Senior Associate Consultant Work with individual institutions providing direct assistance in the area of recruitment, financial aid, predictive modeling, and enrollment management. A few of my clients include University of Tennessee, Culinary Institute of America, West Virginia University, Buena Vista University, Langston University, Eastern Mennonite University, Shorter College, Life University, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Stetson University DeLand, FL November 2002 December 2007 Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management & Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive undergraduate recruitment and admissions program. Managed the daily operations of the admissions and financial aid offices, implemented all recruitment programs, coordinated application processing and review, trained and supervised a staff of 22 full-time professionals.
Whittum 3 Enrolled the largest freshman class in the school s history, exceeding the budget goal by nearly 100 students. Increased applications each year. Increased ALANA enrollments. Lowered NACUBO discount rate. Increased the freshman academic profile. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, FL June 1998 November 2002 Director of Marketing and Enrollment Management Extended Campus Director of Distance Learning Enrollment Office Responsible for the overall marketing and recruitment efforts for over 100 Extended Campus teaching sites, serving nontraditional students, located throughout the world. Worked closely with Regional Managers and Center Directors on issues of marketing, promotion, inquiry development and management, budget, recruitment, and staff training. Responsible for the recruitment, admission, enrollment, and retention of graduate and undergraduate distance learning students. Developed a national promotion campaign, oversaw the development of new recruitment publications, provided training to the entire Extended Campus Increased enrollments each year, including a 21% increase in 2002. Significantly decreased cost to recruit a new student. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott, AZ June 1994 June 1998 Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management Directed the operations of the Office of Admissions, Office of Financial Assistance, Cooperative Education, the Career Services Center, Public Relations and Alumni Relations. New student enrollments grew by over 20%. Average SAT scores increased by 20 points. Introduced an inquiry qualifying system, a targeted and segmented communications plan, and a High Performance Team training program for the admissions staff. Introduced a financial aid modeling system that resulted in increased enrollments while keeping our average tuition-discount rate to just over 6%.
Whittum 4 Daniel Webster College Nashua, NH August 1985 July 1994 Director of Admissions (1989-1994) Associate Director of Admissions (1985-1989) As the chief admissions officer, I directed the recruitment, selection, and matriculation of all students to the day college. Served on the President s Council and the Financial Assistance Policy Committee. Developed a computer based student contact system. Introduced market research and demographic data analysis to the admissions operation. As Director, increased applications by 14% and new student enrollments by 7%. Bethel College McKenzie, TN January 1985 July 1985 Director of Admissions Under the supervision of the Dean of Student Affairs, directed the daily activities of the Office of Admissions. Left Bethel to return to New England to be closer to my ailing mother. Developed a Volunteer Admissions program. Developed the College s first Marketing Plan. Maryville College Maryville, TN July 1982 - January 1985 Admissions Counselor Directed the recruitment activities for the Department of Fine Arts and managed the general admissions activities for an assigned geographic territory. With my wife, served as Resident Director for a coed resident hall. Directed the Volunteer Student Admissions Group. Served as Musical Director for The Playmakers a student musical theater group that performed in high schools and churches as part of the College s Fine Arts recruitment efforts. Crystal River Middle School Crystal River, FL August 1980 - July 1982 Director of Instrumental Music Directed all student instrumental ensembles
Whittum 5 Profile High School Bethlehem, NH August 1977 - July 1980 Director of Music Directed all student ensembles. Coached varsity baseball and basketball and served as Acting Athletic Director. Invited Presentations National conferences where I have been invited to present (partial list): The National Conference on Student Retention Working Smarter: Recruiting and Marketing Strategies for Small, Private, Colleges and Universities The National Enrollment Management Institute National Conference of the National Association for College Admission Counseling Working Smarter: Recruiting and Marketing Strategies for Non-Traditional Students Presentation topics included (partial list): Goal Setting in a Territorial Management Model Developing High Performance Teams Winning Presentations Marketing to Corporations The Role of Marketing in Enrollment Management Effective Telecounseling Enrollment Planning Recruitment Concepts and Principals Building Effective Relationships with Prospective Students to Influence College Choice The Effective Student Tour Guide Education Capella University Master of Science, Organization and Management Plymouth State College Bachelor of Science in Music Education References References are available upon request.