Radford University has appointed Craig W. Cornell to serve in the position of Vice President for Enrollment Management effective November 1.
Cornell has approximately 25 years of experience in executive leadership enrollment management positions at large, multi-campus research institutions, such as Ohio University, Bowling Green State University and Kent State University, as well as in the private sector.
As Vice President for Enrollment Management at Radford University, Cornell will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and the Leadership Council with broad responsibility for recruiting and enrolling a highly-talented and diverse student body. In this critical role, he will provide leadership to the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, New Student and Family Programs and the Registrar at Radford University’s main campus in Radford, Virginia, and Radford University Carilion located in Roanoke, Virginia.
Cornell currently serves as Senior Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management at Ohio University. As the Chief Enrollment Officer at Ohio University, Cornell has been responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of an effective multi-year, university-wide Strategic Enrollment Management Plan for the combined enrollment and student success of approximately 35,000 students annually across all educational modalities, while overseeing more than 100 full-time employees, 150 student employees and a combined $12 million operating budget. Cornell has been at Ohio University since 2008.
Cornell said, “I am honored by the opportunity to serve as Radford University’s Vice President for Enrollment Management. As a first-generation college student, I am looking forward to becoming part of a campus community that deeply cares for students and is clearly focused on building a strong future together. With President Hemphill’s vision, I pledge to dedicate myself to a campus that shares my focus on access and opportunity for current and future Highlanders.”
Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., said, “Craig will be an incredible addition to the University’s senior leadership team. His knowledge of enrollment management, focus on data analytics and passion for the important work we do in creating opportunities for current and future students will make a significant impact on meeting the ambitious goals outlined in the University’s strategic plan. Under Craig’s leadership, I am confident that the Enrollment Management team will serve our campus and our community in new and profound ways.”
Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer Chad A. Reed, who served as the Search Committee Chair, said “I want to thank the Search Committee for their active participation in the overall process. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to dialogue with very impressive and talented individuals, who were interested in becoming part of the Radford family and leading our recruitment efforts. Through the search process, Craig made an immediate connection with our group as he embodies our mission to serve others. On behalf of my colleagues, I look forward to supporting Craig and his entire team in the months and years to come.”
The Vice President for Enrollment Management Search Committee members were: Registrar Matthew Brunner; Professor of Music Business and Department of Music Chair Tim Channell, Ed.D.; Department of Design Chair Holly Cline, Ph.D.; Waldron College of Health and Human Services Dean Ken Cox, Au.D.; Associate Director of Financial Aid Programs and Operations Karen Hedge; Professor of Criminal Justice and Interim Core Curriculum Director Nicole Hendrix, Ph.D.; Director of Institutional Research Eric Lovik, Ph.D.; Assistant Director of Advising Allison McCoy; Associate Vice President for Information Technology Ed Oakes; Assistant Vice President of Student Success and Retention Jamie Penven, Ph.D.; Interim Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Allison Pratt; and Chief of Staff and Vice President for University Relations Ashley Schumaker.
Cornell earned a Master of Education (major in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Administration) from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Arts (major in Psychology and minor in English) from the University of Akron.