Furman University, a prestigious private liberal arts and sciences university, with a campus internationally recognized for its beauty and located in Greenville, South Carolina, seeks nominations and applications for the position of Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services and University Registrar. This role is strategically placed in the division of enrollment management. Along with their team of 13 professionals, the Associate Vice President establishes university priorities for enrollment services, including student records and registration, student financial services, and student services.

Under the leadership of the Vice President for Enrollment Management, Dr. W. Michael Hendricks, the enrollment management division is a data-driven, research-dependent administrative area that brings discipline and coordination to the process of achieving enrollment goals and enhancing Furman University’s competitive market position. This is accomplished by aligning a range of administrative areas including: admissions, financial aid, enrollment services, and enrollment research. Specifically, the Office of Enrollment Services centralizes student-focused programs and services to establish a “one-stop” student enrollment service concept, including the Registrar’s Office. Functions managed by the Office of Enrollment Services include: Academic Records, Cultural Life Program, Financial Aid, Grades, ID Cards, Meal Plans, Registration, Room Scheduling, Student Accounts, Student Employment, Transfer Credit​, Tuition and Fee Payments​, University Calendars, and the University Catalog.  We continue to enhance the convenience and efficiency of these services in Furman’s “one-stop” transactional shop through transformational technology improvements like Workday Student, and by collaborating with other offices across campus to improve the overall student experience.

The Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services and University Registrar will oversee an integrated administrative area and serve as a highly visible member of the enrollment management leadership team. The successful candidate will maintain and implement new technology programs and procedures to assist faculty and staff in course registration processes that are organized and clearly communicated. In addition, the new AVP and University Registrar will collaborate closely with other senior leaders in the enrollment management division and will directly administer the following functional areas, dedicated to serving the students, faculty, and staff of Furman University:

Student Records and Registration

• academic calendar, catalog, grades and transcripts, course descriptions, degree verification, enrollment status policies, Cultural Life Program (CLP), grading/grade collection, room scheduling, transfer credit, veterans’ services, student records privacy, graduation, ordering/issuance of diplomas, activities associated with commencement ceremonies

Student Financial Services

• student accounts, billing and payments, refunds, charges, delinquent accounts/collections, financial aid disbursement, loans, tax reporting, student employment, authorized payer

Student Services

• student employment, ID cards, forms, parent information.

RESPONSIBILITIES, OPPORTUNITIES and PRIORITIES

As Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services and University Registrar, the selected candidate will be responsible for:

Enrollment Services

• Manage the overall planning, administration and operational activities of the Office of Enrollment Services, which serves students, alumni, staff, faculty, and the general public in the areas of student records, registration, and student financial services.
• Oversee university student billing, invoicing, refunds, collections, payments to and from consortium institutions, compliance with federal programs, IRS reporting, and VA certification.
• Manage Student Employment in a centralized area to streamline student employment functions and processes for student employees and supervisors.
• Operate at both the visionary and strategic levels as well as the operational level.
• Possess a forward-thinking, solution-oriented approach that appreciates the distinct cultures and missions of Furman’s different academic departments.
• Work to ensure seamless, customer-centered handling of issues that arise regarding Enrollment Services while working collaboratively with student success and retention in efforts to improve student persistence.

Registrar

• Provide leadership, evaluation, and strategic vision for activities related to student academic records and registration processes including class scheduling, classroom space assignment, student enrollment certifications, grade collection and posting, transcripts, transfer articulation, degree audits, graduation, commencement lists, credential recommendations, academic data security, and maintenance of the university calendar and catalogue.
• Provide leadership for and administer academic and student policies as they pertain to student records and maintenance of all academic information about Furman University students.
• Oversee course and classroom scheduling, course registration, maintenance of student academic records, transfer credit course postings, degree audits, degree validations, graduation certifications, enrollment reports, and compliance with academic policies and FERPA regulations.

Technology, Systems and Data

• Manage and analyze system processes and information technology needs; identify opportunities for improvements to current processes and systems and implement new processes as necessary.
• Manage and coordinate the division’s overall maximization of the Workday ERP system; ensure the team focuses on best practices and campus wide understanding of the system.
• Partner with university colleagues to maximize the institution’s use of technology to ensure effective and efficient processes and meet strategic and operational goals.
• Ensure processes support data-driven decision-making while remaining flexible for unique occurrences. 

Partnership, Collaboration and Communication

• Develop strong, collaborative working relationships with members of the university community, specifically with academic offices; ensure active communication and cohesive working relationships with all other departments including admissions, financial aid, human resources, and payroll.
• Strengthen and enhance communication in order to engender an environment of trust, transparency, and mutual respect.
• Inspire, empower, and motivate staff with an approachable style and the willingness to listen to all members of the team; provide clear direction, assess and capitalize on the strengths of a talented and hard-working team.
• Represent Enrollment Services on various university-wide committees as a representative of Enrollment Services and serve as a leader within the Enrollment Management Division, recognizing the importance of the role of Enrollment Services within the division.
• Work in collaboration to resolve problems, perform complex functions, and establish priorities.
• In partnership with many at the university, plan, develop, and implement functions, projects, policies, processes and procedures that serve the entire institution.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND PERSONAL QUALITIES

The Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services and University Registrar must have earned a Bachelor’s degree, with a master’s or advanced degree preferred. Additionally, they will have a minimum of ten years of experience in administrative or professional capacities, ideally in positions with direct responsibility for student records department activities and reports as well as registration activities and reports at a post-secondary institution. In addition, the successful candidate will possess most, if not all, of the following:

• Ability to approach the work with creativity, accessibility, flexibility, optimism.
• Proficient and savvy in working with multiple, integrated student information systems; experience with Workday Student, Starfish, and Parchment preferred.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proactive, open, and collaborative leadership style that builds trust and strong relationships.
• Ability to work within a high touch, collaborative, and collegial framework, which values students, faculty, staff, and parents.
• An appreciation of the value of liberal arts higher education, and respect for the mission, vision, and values of Furman University.
• Proven compliance with FERPA to maintain appropriate confidentiality of student records, and implementation of procedures to ensure compliance with other state or federal regulations.
• Willingness to support and foster a culturally diverse environment while supporting the university’s mission and goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

Furman University

Furman University challenges and supports lifelong learners through rigorous inquiry, transformative experiences, and deep reflection to lead lives of meaning and consequence.

                                                                                            Furman University Mission

Founded in 1826, Furman University is a selective, private liberal arts and sciences university consistently ranked among the nation’s top colleges and featured in the most prominent college guides. Furman is committed to helping students develop intellectually, personally, and interpersonally and providing the practical skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Furman’s top-notch faculty teach students how to think critically, how to evaluate and create, and how to see things from multiple perspectives. As teacher/scholars, Furman faculty mentor undergraduate students within a campus community that values and encourages diverse ideas and perspectives. Because of these principles, Furman students graduate broadly educated and well-rounded, prepared for leadership and eager to take on the challenges of a complex world.

Furman embraces meaningful diversity and equality as embodied by both implicit values and explicit practices in all endeavors. The community is committed to supporting students, faculty, and staff from every walk of life. For Furman, diversity goes beyond any single category and includes the full range of differences that encompass all that makes us unique, including differences in race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, disability, religion, worldview and many others. Reflecting these values, the university has established a Strategic Diversity Plan. In 2017, with the support of the board, president and provost, the Task Force on Slavery and Justice was formed to examine Furman University’s historical connections to slavery and to help Furman better understand and learn from its past. An outcome of this task force, inspired by Abraham, a former slave of James C. Furman (the university’s first president), the “Seeking Abraham” project made a number of recommendations approved by the board, including the establishment of Joseph Vaughn Day and a statue and plaza recognizing the university’s first Black undergraduate student.

The Student Experience

Furman’s 2,500 undergraduate students choose from seventy majors, minors, and programs. Central to each student’s experience is The Furman Advantage, an innovative four-year pathway to graduation that combines mentoring, high-impact, engaged learning opportunities through research, internships and study away, and engagement with important issues through the university’s four institutes: The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, The Institute for the Advancement of Community Health, The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, and The Riley Institute. A hands-on approach empowers students to personalize their education, refine their goals and thoughtfully and purposefully shape their future. At the graduate level, over 200 students participate in master’s programs in education, chemistry, community medicine and strategic design.

Nearly all of Furman’s students live on campus for all four years as part of a community that cultivates collaboration and self-discovery. Students choose among 12 residence options, which include traditional residence halls, suites, and fully furnished apartments. Those who choose to participate in the Greenbelt Engaged Living Community live in one of two recently renovated, state of the art, eco-friendly cabins, and participate in a living-learning community intended to foster sustainable living and lifestyle choices. The campus offers two additional Engaged Living communities: a First Year Experience in which students engage in a special topic of study of shared interest with fellow first-year students, and Language Houses, which offer students a language program, facility and course option all in one. Furman students enjoy five different dining facilities.

Campus life offers experiences for students to join one of more than 150 clubs and organizations ranging from Ultimate Frisbee to film clubs. The Heller Service Corps is the largest student organization with over 1,800 students volunteering. The service corps offers an essential Furman experience, an in-depth commitment to community in partnership with seventy-two agencies across Greenville. The Furman Paladins compete on 18 NCAA Division I teams and dozens of club and intramural squads. Both varsity and club teams have won national championships.

Furman is also home to one of the largest fraternal communities in a liberal arts setting. The thirteen national fraternities and sororities boast over 1,100 members, with 43% of undergraduates participating. First-year students are eligible to join in the spring semester of their first year or thereafter, allowing students the opportunity to adjust to the rigor of the classroom and campus life before making a lifelong commitment to an organization.

Location

Furman is located on traditional Cherokee land in Greenville, South Carolina, a racially and culturally diverse community that is one of the fastest growing cities in the Southeast. It has been ranked among “America’s Ten Best” by Forbes Magazine. Greenville has a thriving downtown, excellent private and public schools and a vibrant international community. The Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 22-mile bike and running trail connects the university to Greenville and Travelers Rest, which was named “one of America’s coolest small towns.” It is within a short driving distance of Asheville, Charlotte and Atlanta. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic Beaches are within easy reach.

Greenville is both a destination for tourism as well as individuals and families seeking to relocate. With over 110 restaurants in Greenville proper and over 1,000 in the surrounding region, Greenville has become a destination for foodies seeking diverse offerings ranging from traditional Southern cuisine to more eclectic fare. The variety and quality of culinary offerings have been recognized by Southern Living (“The South’s Tastiest Towns”), Zagat (“#1 Under-the-Radar Southern Food Destination”) and Esquire (“Next Big Food City of the South”).

Greenville also offers numerous activities to accommodate a variety of interests. The Peace Center plays host to both the Carolina Ballet and the International Ballet, as well as the Greenville Chorale, Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and the South Carolina Children’s Theatre. The Bon Secours Wellness Arena and Logos Theater offer concerts and performances. The visual arts are well represented in Greenville. In addition to museums and galleries, the city is graced by 95 pieces of public art.

Individuals who enjoy the outdoors will find a variety of activities ranging from golfing to white water rafting and zip lining. Just outside of town is the 400-acre Lake Conestee Nature Preserve. The beauty of Greenville is enhanced by more than 50 waterfalls, some accessible via a scenic stroll, others at the end of a more challenging hike. Downtown Greenville features one of the best in Falls Park.

Individuals and families choosing Greenville as their new home will find many unique neighborhoods and seven historic districts, each with a distinct flavor and character. Many choose Greenville for the wonderful weather, easy access to other cities, strong economy, and excellent school systems – recognized as some of the best in South Carolina. In addition to being a state leader in school choice, Greenville offers magnet academies in specialized areas such as science and mathematics, communication arts, languages, and the arts.

Greenville offers both sophistication and a laid-back atmosphere where families thrive and individuals find a community and activities that reflect their interests. The beauty of the city, rich history, and numerous cultural, sporting and outdoor offerings foster a vibrant lifestyle with something for everyone, and something to do nearly every day.

To Apply

NES Searches is assisting Furman University with this search for Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services and University Registrar. For more information or to nominate someone for this position, contact Catherine Capolupo (catherine.capolupo@nessearches.com), Laura Robinson (laura.robinson@nessearches.com) or Mary Napier (mary.napier@nessearches.com) for a confidential conversation. Interested candidates should submit a résumé along with a cover letter expressing interest in this position. Candidates also should provide the names and contact information of at least three professional references; references will not be contacted without permission. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted electronically to furman@nessearches.com by December 30, 2021. Materials will be reviewed in January and the search will remain open until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is Spring, 2022.

Furman is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and staff. The university aspires to create a community of people representing a multiplicity of identities including gender, race, religion, spiritual belief, sexual orientation, geographic origin, socioeconomic background, ideology, world view, and varied abilities.