Undergraduate Enrollment Strategy
In preparation for the 2022-23 academic strategic planning process, the University has launched a strategic review of Wake Forest’s undergraduate enrollment position, partnering with the higher education research firm, Art & Science Group. The project will focus on understanding how the landscape for undergraduate enrollment has changed during the pandemic, and where Wake Forest’s exceptional education is situated within that landscape. Findings will be used to develop an effective, forward-looking undergraduate enrollment strategy, as well as to support the University’s strategic planning process.
Project Co-Chairs
Eric Maguire — Vice President for Enrollment
Michele Gillespie — Dean of the College, incoming Provost
Steering Committee Members
Shea Kidd Brown — Vice President for Campus Life
Brett Eaton — Senior Associate Vice President, Communications and External Relations
Julia Jackson-Newsom — Senior Advisor for Planning and Partnerships
Julia Jordan-Zachery — Professor and Chair, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Ben King — Professor of the Practice, Strategy, School of Business
Pat Lord — Teaching Professor, Biology
Rais Rahman — Associate Professor, History, Chair of Admission Committee
Jackie Sheridan — Director of the Wake Forest Scholars Program
Ashleigh Brock — Chief of Staff, Office of the President (Staff to the Committee)
Susan R. Wente — President ex officio
Art & Science Consulting Team:
Nanci Tessier, Craig Goebel, Eric Collum, and Arlene Cash
Project Phases of Work:
1 — Discovery: Art & Science Group will gain a comprehensive understanding of the University’s goals, character, and strengths, as well as identify topics and strategic initiatives, which can then be tested in the research phase. This will be achieved through collaboration with the campus steering committee, as well as an intensive series of meetings with members of the Wake Forest community, including administrative leaders, key professional staff, faculty, and students.
2 — Research with Prospective Undergraduate Students: Art & Science Group will conduct quantitative research with students at two critical stages of the college selection process: the matriculation decision (survey fielded in late spring 2022) and the application decision (survey to be fielded early in 2023). They will report their findings to the steering committee as each stage is completed.
3 — Analysis of the Research / Development and Discussion of Implications and Recommendations. After the research phase, Art & Science Group will consider with the steering committee what the report findings mean for Wake Forest. In collaboration with the steering committee, they will develop and discuss recommendations focused on institutional strategy — in particular, on enhancing the University’s ability to attract and enroll a diverse pool of talented students, and consult with us as we move to finalize the plan.
The Discovery phase of the project begins April 8, with an initial set of interviews and focus group conversations with a range of current students, faculty, and staff.