Description

The University of St. Thomas in Minnesota invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management (Vice President) to serve as a visionary, forward-thinking, and collaborative leader who will drive innovative strategies to advance the University's enrollment goals and long-term enrollment success.

Founded in 1885 by Archbishop John Ireland, St. Thomas first opened as the St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary to serve the region's growing immigrant population. The University's mission, inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, is to educate students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. Minnesota's largest private University and one of the nation's largest Catholic universities, St. Thomas serves close to 10,000 students in eight schools and colleges on campuses in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Rome, Italy. The University benefits from net assets of $1.2 billion; a strong legacy of academic excellence and service to the community; a dedicated and generous Board of Trustees; strong philanthropic support; and an engaged network of over 115,000 alumni worldwide. The University is poised to reach new heights with a groundbreaking transition in 2021 from NCAA Division III athletics to Division I athletics, which is continuing to elevate the University's enrollment, fundraising efforts, and national recognition.

St. Thomas 2025, the University's current strategic plan, is in its final year of implementation. An ambitious yet focused five-year effort, the plan was designed to propel the University toward a new level of impact. Under President Rob Vischer, St. Thomas is now in the midst of preparing for the next five years. With remarkable achievements in fundraising, highlighted by a historic $75 million donation for the construction of a multi-purpose arena on campus and nearly $220 million secured for student financial aid in recent years, St. Thomas is ready to broaden its esteemed reputation in Minnesota to a wider geographic area.

Propelled by several years of increasing enrollment, highlighted by the largest cohort of first-year students in St. Thomas' history in the fall of 2025, this role represents a crucial leadership opportunity to continue the University's momentum. St. Thomas seeks an enrollment leader who will expand the institution's reach to prospective students regionally and nationally, while constantly striving to achieve the University's commitment to create a vibrant and diverse community in which all come together to work for a more just and inclusive society. The next Vice President will be a strong and thoughtful leader with a proven record of success; an entrepreneurial spirit; exceptional analytic, interpersonal, and communication skills; and the enthusiasm to partner with the President, Executive Vice President and Provost, other University leaders, and students as an ambitious plan for St. Thomas' future is executed. The successful candidate will be a skilled leader with the ability to motivate a dedicated team in Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions, Financial Aid, Enrollment Management Marketing and Communications, and Enrollment Technology and Analytics. The Vice President will embrace the best use of current and future technology, including the potential to leverage AI in enrollment, in the execution of an enrollment strategy that is cutting-edge, statistically informed, and focused on continuous improvement.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume, and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, which is available on the WittKieffer site.

WittKieffer is assisting the University of St. Thomas in this search. Review of applicant materials has begun; for fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 19, 2026, via the email below.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to Amy Crutchfield, Rob Springall, and Randi Miller at StThomasVPSEM@wittkieffer.com.

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