James Fowler named vice president for enrollment management

James R. Fowler Jr., assistant vice president of enrollment and dean of admissions at Dean College in Franklin, Mass., has been named vice president for enrollment management at Salve Regina, effective in July.

“I look forward to welcoming Mr. Fowler to Salve Regina,” said President Jane Gerety, RSM. “I believe his expertise, experience and energy will benefit us greatly in the important work of enrollment management.”

Fowler has held leadership positions at a wide and diverse range of institutions, including Binghamton University, State University of New York; Fairfield University; Brandeis University; and Quinsigamond Community College. He has also been involved in graduate medical education at Wilson Medical Center in Binghamton, N.Y.

“I am really looking forward to working with the experienced and dedicated staff that already exists in enrollment management at Salve Regina,” Fowler said. “I’m also very excited to partner with faculty to promote the strengths of the academic curriculum and to work with some of the dynamic and fabulous students I’ve met through this process. I believe the students Salve develops are primed to take strong leadership roles in today’s fast-changing world, which is incredibly important to the future of our country and society.”

Fowler is an active professional, having served on the governing board of the New England Association of College Admissions Counselors (NEACAC), as an assembly delegate to the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) and a member of the annual conference planning committee. He currently serves as co-chair of the admissions practices committee and is also the immediate past chair of the ACT Massachusetts State Council.

An experienced and sought after speaker, he has presented on enrollment management issues at conferences for NEACAC, NACAC, the New England Transfer Association, the Massachusetts School Counselors Association, the New England Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and the American Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians on topics including recruitment, marketing, transfer student admissions, data analysis, communications planning, work/family balance, leadership, and the return on investment of higher education. In addition, he presents regularly in high schools for parents on the college admissions process and how to find the right college fit for students.

“These are certainly challenging times – for small colleges and universities in particular,” Fowler said. “Combined with shifting demographics, there’s a lot of emphasis among families on return on investment and making sure students are adequately prepared for life after college. Through its mission and its commitment to developing students personally, academically and professionally, Salve Regina is well positioned to produce the next generation of leaders who will not only be highly successful professionally but who will also serve as models of ethical behavior, social consciousness and humanitarianism.”

An accomplished singer, actor and soccer player, Fowler in his spare time enjoys spending time with his wife Heather, a physician, and his two sons. He is a native of Marlborough, Conn. and graduated from Xavier High School in Middletown.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in English and theater with emphasis in acting/directing and technical production as well as a master’s degree in social sciences with an emphasis in higher education from Binghamton University, State University of New York.

“Salve Regina has been on my radar for a number of years as being a dream job,” Fowler said. “The mission of the institution, the location – obviously – and the general atmosphere of the campus community is very attractive to me and I can’t be more thrilled to be afforded the opportunity to help the University move forward.”