Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts
Northeastern University is seeking nominations and applications for the position of Dean of
Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation. The University is interested in candidates who
thrive in a fast-paced environment, embrace complexity, and have a strong understanding of
contemporary enrollment management. The division Enrollment Management and Student
Affairs (EMSA) is a well-respected division of the University and has been enormously successful
in recruiting and retaining high-caliber students. The successful candidate will be experienced,
achievement-oriented, idea-generating, and able to manage and inspire a staff of 44.
The University
Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a global, experiential, research-based university
located in the heart of Boston. Grounded in its signature co-op program, Northeastern is the
leader in experiential learning—the integration of academics and real-world experience—
providing unprecedented opportunities for study and practice around the world. Northeastern
University offers a vibrant and diverse community, characterized by collaboration, creativity
and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In a recent report, President Joseph Aoun
stated, “Northeastern’s momentum is unprecedented. We have taken co-op and experiential
education global. Our research in health, security, and sustainability is yielding important
discoveries and addressing the world’s most pressing needs.” Three recent articles about
Northeastern can be found here: 1) http://chronicle.com/article/In-Learning-the-LastingValue/127378, 2) http://articles.boston.com/2011-01-24/news/29335935_1_internationalstudents-applications-prospective-students, 3) http://chronicle.com/article/A-Once-LocalUniversity/125959/.
Evidence of momentum is also found in the record number of applications—43,000—for the
class entering fall 2011. Of the 3,100 new freshmen, 57 percent rank in the top ten percent of
their high school class, 30 percent are students of color, and 15 percent are international
students. Northeastern’s student population is drawn from all 50 states and 124 countries
around the world. Total full-time enrollment at the University is 20,500, including 16,000
undergraduates, 4,000 graduate students and 640 law students.
Northeastern’s seven undergraduate and eight graduate schools, and two part-time divisions,
offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a wide variety of academic disciplines and
professional areas and include: Bouve College of Health Sciences; College of Arts, Media and
Design; College of Business Administration; College of Computer and Information Science;
College of Engineering; College of Professional Studies; College of Science; College of Social
Sciences and Humanities; School of Law.
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Northeastern students live, learn, and work in 160 cities, 82 countries, and on every continent.
Significantly, 1,824 companies posted 5,757 co-op jobs at Northeastern this past year—an
increase of 35 percent over the previous year. Northeastern’s beautiful and well-maintained
73-acre residential campus in Boston is an urban oasis with quads and green space. Among the
37 residence halls is International Village, which connects Northeastern to its global neighbors
through technology, programming and Faculty In-Residence. Northeastern University’s 18
varsity teams and nearly 550 student athletes participate in NCAA Division I in the Colonial
Athletic Association and Hockey East Association. For more information about Northeastern
University, visit http://northeastern.edu.
The Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (EMSA): The mission of the
division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs is to maximize the University’s capacity
to recruit, retain, and graduate students; provide services and experiences that promote
student success by integrating the out-of-classroom experience with the student’s needs,
expectations, goals, growth and development. EMSA strives to build a positive social and
cultural climate, quality service environment and high quality of campus life. EMSA also
provides feedback to the University regarding student and market issues. The Enrollment
Management and Student Affairs division consists of:
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African-American Institute
Asian American Center
Athletics
Co-op Connections
Curry Student Center
Customer Service Center
Enrollment Marketing & Communications
Fraternity & Sorority Life
Graduate Recruitment
ISSI (International Student & Scholar Institute)
Latino/a Student Cultural Center
New-Student Orientation
Off-Campus Housing
Open (Office of Prevention and Education)
Opportunity Scholarships & Outreach Program
Parent Programs
Residential Life
Spiritual Life
Student Activities
Student Athlete Support Services
Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution
Student Financial Services
Student Life
Undergraduate Admissions
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University Health and Counseling Services
Enrollment Leadership
Dr. Philomena Mantella, is senior vice president for enrollment management and student
affairs. Dr. Mantella’s background includes broad experience in virtually every area of
enrollment management and student services. Prior to coming to Northeastern in 2001, she
served for five years as executive vice president for enrollment management and student life at
Pace University in New York. Dr. Mantella has also served as vice president for student affairs at
SUNY College of Optometry, a small, state-supported graduate and professional college, and as
associate dean of enrollment services at Ferris State University in Michigan. Prior to that, she
was responsible for the offices of financial aid at three institutions. Dr. Mantella holds a
bachelor's degree and a master's of social work degree from Syracuse University, and a
doctorate in educational administration from Michigan State University.
Jane Brown is the vice president for enrollment management, a position she assumed in 2010.
Ms. Brown served as vice president for enrollment and college relations at Mount Holyoke
where she was the college's chief strategist for market positioning, enrollment planning, and
student recruitment. In this role, Ms. Brown oversaw the offices of communications, public
relations, admission, non-traditional students, student financial services, career development,
registrar, and institutional research. Prior to joining Mount Holyoke in 1997, Ms. Brown was at
Emerson College where she served as vice president for enrollment. During her more than 20
years at Emerson, she was a faculty member and director of graduate clinical training in the
division of communication disorders. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Political
Science from Bates College and a master’s degree in Speech/Language Pathology from
Emerson.
Ronné Patrick Turner, associate vice president for enrollment, is responsible for providing
direction and oversight of the University's recruitment, selection and enrollment transition of
new students. Ms. Turner works closely with the University's senior leadership to implement
innovative recruitment strategies to meet enrollment objectives. Reporting to the vice
president for enrollment management, Ms. Turner oversees all facets of the undergraduate and
graduate admissions recruitment and enrollment process, including new student orientation
and parent and family programs, and opportunity scholarships. She also directly manages the
institution’s international recruitment and retention strategies, overseeing the International
Student and Scholar Institute (ISSI) as well as several admission pathway programs. Ms. Turner
is actively engaged and has served as a leader in several professional organizations. She serves
on the New England Regional Council and is currently the regionally elected representative to
the College Board’s national Guidance and Admission Council. Ms. Turner holds a bachelor's
degree in social and behavioral sciences from the Johns Hopkins University and a master's
degree in education policy, planning and administration from the University of Maryland.
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The Position: Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation
The Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation provides leadership, strategic
direction, management and oversight for the undergraduate recruitment, admission and
orientation programs for the University’s seven undergraduate colleges. Reporting to the
Associate Vice President for Enrollment, the Dean oversees a staff of 44. He/She will develop
and implement innovative and sophisticated strategies in recruitment, admissions and
orientation to meet enrollment objectives for incoming freshmen and transfer students
consistent with the University’s goals. He/she will be a key player on the University Enrollment
Strategy Team and will develop, recommend, and implement strategies for the admission
selection process to achieve a student body profile that is aligned with student retention and
success. The Dean will establish and implement policies to direct the administration and
management of the admissions infrastructure including budget and operational systems. In
addition, the Dean of Undergraduate Admission and Orientation is responsible for staff hiring,
mentoring and managing a team, setting performance standards, coaching and evaluating staff.
The Dean will work collaboratively with the College Deans and Associate Deans; the Directors of
Student Financial Services, Enrollment Research, Enrollment Marketing & Communications,
International Recruitment and Strategic Enrollment Initiatives, Alumni Association, and the
University Honors Program; and the Directors of EMSA offices including Residential Life,
Athletics and other colleagues. The Dean will travel on behalf of the University and will
represent the institution at regional, national and international professional meetings, and will
represent or stand-in for the Associate Vice President for Enrollment as needed.
Key Responsibilities:
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Oversee and direct the freshman and transfer recruitment and admission processes.
Strategize with supervisor and leadership to build and implement a sophisticated
recruitment plan designed to meet institutional goals and to recruit and enroll a diverse
and talented student body. Work collaboratively with Director of International
Recruitment and Strategic Enrollment Initiatives to ensure international recruitment
efforts are aligned with overall strategy. Support the implementation of pipeline
programs and other new initiatives designed to increase opportunities to targeted
undergraduate student populations.
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Serve on the Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affair’s
Strategy teams to assist in the development of financial aid and scholarship criteria and
programs; establish admission criteria to identify the most appropriate students who are
well prepared to take advantage of Northeastern’s unique educational opportunities;
and develop and implement procedures to evaluate and render decisions on all
undergraduate applicants.
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Oversee and direct the admission operations area to ensure the efficient and accurate
processing of inquiries, applications and communications to prospective students.
Oversee all system implementations to support this process.
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Oversee the Admission Visitor Center. Ensure programs offered effectively showcase the
University and provide relevant information for prospective freshmen and transfer
students. Work with campus vendors and Associate/Assistant Deans to provide
innovative visit programs and opportunities. On an ongoing basis, research and analyze
results of visit programs and services to ensure programs are meeting institutional
expectations.
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Provide strategic direction for the Alumni Admission Volunteer Program to more
effectively engage alumni in the recruitment and enrollment process. Ensure special
populations, such as children of alumni, are appropriately served through visit programs.
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Oversee the Office of New Student Orientation and Parent and Family Programs to
support the enrollment and transition of new undergraduate students to University
programs both in Boston and beyond. Develop programs and services for parents of
undergraduate students, including Parent and Family Weekend, to support student
enrollment, retention and affinity to Northeastern University.
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Hire and manage the Admission, Orientation and Visitor center team by setting high
performance standards reflective of institutional and unit values. Regularly evaluate
staff and provide mentoring and coaching to ensure professional growth and
development of staff as well as the highest level of service to students, parents and other
constituents critical to the recruitment, admission and enrollment effort.
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Effectively represent policies of the Office of Undergraduate Admission and Orientation
and implement programs to engage members of the University community including
College Deans, Associate Deans, faculty, staff, Alumni Volunteers and parents in
recruitment, admission and enrollment efforts. Promote and represent Northeastern to
secondary school counselors and community college advisors, providing the most
accurate information about Northeastern’s strengths and standards.
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Manage and assist in preparation and analysis of the undergraduate admission and
orientation budget which incorporates expenses for recruitment, processing and on
campus visitor programs and services.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualities:
Candidates should have substantial leadership experience in admissions marketing and
recruiting, and a proven understanding of the dynamics of a complex, global, and ethnically
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diverse university community. An advanced degree is preferred. The position requires superb
interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills as well as strong planning and analytical
abilities, and a passion for incorporating new technologies into strategies and tactics.
Candidates should know how to set clear objectives, yet be flexible when plans change. The
ability to monitor progress and results, coupled with wise use of human and financial resources,
is expected. A commitment to developing staff is highly valued. The Dean is an educator—in
the office, in the University, and in the wider higher education community. He/she must
therefore be knowledgeable, credible and even inspirational, and recognize the value of
effective and consistent communication. Other qualities that will be a plus in this position
include high energy, imagination, resilience, intellectual agility, responsiveness, charisma, and a
sense of humor.
To Apply: Lahti Search Consultants (www.lahtisearch.com) is assisting Northeastern University
with this search. All inquiries, nominations and conversations about this opportunity are
welcome and will remain confidential. For more information, please contact either Terry Lahti
(terry@lahtisearch.com) or Mary Napier (mary.napier@lahtisearch.com). If you wish to apply,
please send a resume and cover letter by email to:
Barb Friedhoff
Lahti Search Consultants
4360 France Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55410
barb@lahtisearch.com
Resumes will be reviewed until the position is filled. Salaries and benefits for this position are
competitive.
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