RSS

Northland College names Rick J. Smith Vice President for Enrollment Management

August 17, 2010

Following an extensive and competitive national search, Rick J. Smith, an admissions professional with over 25 years of experience in higher education, today has accepted the position of Vice President for Enrollment Management at Northland College. Smith has held leadership roles at several liberal arts colleges as well as private education advocacy groups including the Minnesota Private College Council.

As the Vice President for Enrollment Management, Smith will be responsible for directing the work of the College’s admissions and financial aid staffs, working to broaden the public awareness of the College and attract talented new students with a passion for living and working in an environmentally sustainable manner.

“Rick Smith brings a lifetime of outstanding experience working with private colleges and universities to the table,” said Michael A. Miller, president of Northland College. “That experience, combined with his excellent record of professional achievement, made him the best candidate to lead the effort to grow our enrollment.”

Smith will begin his duties on September 1 as the latest appointment to the cabinet of Michael A. Miller, who took office as Northland’s 12th president on July 1.

In accepting the position, Smith cited the College’s unique integration of academics and environmental sustainability as one of its primary strengths, and said environmental sustainability has never been more important than it is today.

“I am honored to be given this opportunity to let more academically talented high school students who either already hold or wish to gain greater awareness, knowledge and skill around environmental concerns know about the tremendous educational opportunities at Northland,” Smith said. “As word spreads about all that the College has to offer, I’m confident that Northland will experience sustained growth in both enrollments and reputation.”

Smith joins Northland from Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minn., where he served as Dean of Enrollment, Marketing and Multicultural Services, directing five years of consistent growth of enrollment. Previously, he worked for the Minnesota Private College Council and Minnesota Private College Research Foundation, Augsburg College and the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

Smith completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. He continued his education at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn., studying toward a Master of Public Administration and also attended the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago studying toward a Master of Business Administration.