The University of Tennessee has retained the services of national search firm, NES. Please refer to the details following the position description to formally express interest or apply.

The Opportunity

Reporting to Kari Alldredge, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, the AVP serves as a key member of the Enrollment Management Executive Leadership Team, responsible for advancing campuswide recruitment strategy, admissions operations, and student pipeline initiatives. The AVP leads comprehensive recruitment, outreach, and application management strategies for future Volunteers, with a strong focus on pipeline development and funnel growth across all stages of the student journey. Alongside a team of 90+ dedicated admissions professionals, the AVP will play a crucial role in shaping the Volunteer Experience for 62,500+ applicants and 32,000+ undergraduates each year.

As a senior leader in Enrollment Management, the AVP also oversees Admissions Operations and Application Management, ensuring innovative and effective use of the university’s CRM (Slate) to streamline workflows, improve student experience, and maintain compliance while increasing operational efficiency and scalability. In partnership with Enrollment Management Communications, the AVP drives robust, data-informed marketing and communications strategies to support recruitment, yield, and the university’s enrollment goals.

In addition, the AVP serves as a key collaborator across campus, building strong partnerships with Academic Colleges & Schools, Student Success, Student Life, Access & Engagement, Academic Affairs, the Office of Innovative Technologies, the Bursar, the Center for Global Engagement, and other critical units to align recruitment strategy with academic capacity and student success priorities.

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The University of Tennessee has retained the services of national search firm, NES. Please refer to the details following the position description to formally express interest or apply. The University of Tennessee, public land-grant research university located in Knoxville, TN, is seeking a collaborative and strategic Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions (AVP) to provide executive leadership, vision, and operational oversight for all undergraduate admissions functions at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

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It is required that the new AVP has a bachelor’s degree (an advanced degree is strongly preferred). Additionally, this role requires a minimum of seven years (ten preferred) of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education admissions or enrollment management, as well as demonstrated success executing enrollment strategies and achieving enrollment goals. Further, the chosen candidate should demonstrate expertise in undergraduate admissions operations, recruitment strategies, and compliance. Experience leading high-performing teams in a complex higher education environment is a must, as is strong communication, collaboration, and relationship management skills. Finally, the new AVP will possess a demonstrated commitment to expanding student access and enrollment opportunities.

The chosen candidate should also possess the following qualifications and personal characteristics:

• Experience developing international and transfer pathways.
• Communicative and approachable with a desire to compliment the strengths of a high-functioning and well positioned team.
• Data-informed and systems-oriented.; advanced familiarity with Slate or other CRM platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to build institutional partnerships that support enrollment strategy.
• Strategic and forward-thinking with a political and operational saviness.
• Skilled collaborator with high emotional intelligence and authenticity.
• Experience recruiting high-achieving students and priority-access populations.
• Commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and institutional stewardship.
• Experienced in the recruitment of distinct student populations including international, transfer, and student athletes.
• Advocate for the ideas, professional growth, and development of the admissions team; ability to strengthen the skills and abilities within the team and elevate the work of a cohesive, high-functioning office.
• Understanding of government relations, accreditation, and experience within a state university system.
• A consummate professional who approaches change with sensitivity, intentionality, and thoughtfulness, especially as UT’s responds to increases in volume, selectivity, demographic changes and market trends, and the evolving needs and expectations of student populations.

• Ability to handle challenging situations and problem solve with grace, positivity and resilience.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The University of Tennessee System is improving the lives of Tennesseans today and for future generations through its five campuses and two statewide institutes. UT Knoxville is Tennessee’s land-grant university, the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System, and a lead driver in enrollment growth across the UT System.

UT Knoxville at a Glance

• #1 Public University in Tennessee
• 230+ Years of public service
• $1.7 Billion dollar impact on state economy
• Over 290 thousand alumni across the world
• R1 research university
• Over $430 million in financial aid and scholarships

UT System - Statement of Aspirations

We are dedicated to expanding access to educational opportunities, striving to remove barriers, and making academic pursuits more affordable. Consistent with the University’s commitment to high academic standards, student achievement, and the preparation of responsible citizens, we believe that engaging with individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives fosters a vibrant learning environment that enhances critical thinking and intellectual growth. Our collective strengths make us stronger, and we are committed to promoting an atmosphere where all members of the University community feel welcome, can thrive, and achieve success.

Vision and Goals

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville serves the state by educating its citizens, enhancing its culture, and making a difference in people’s lives through research and service. We embody excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement.

Vision

A world enriched by our ideas, improved through our action, and inspired by the Volunteer spirit of service and leadership. As the flagship land-grant university of the state, we are dedicated to amplifying the Volunteer spirit of selfless leadership in every life we touch.

Goals

• Cultivating the Volunteer Experience
  • Demonstrate leadership in providing high-quality educational opportunities for people at every stage of life, whenever and wherever they seek to learn.
• Conducting Research That Makes Life and Lives Better
  • Advance the frontiers of knowledge to create a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future through world-class research, scholarship, and creative work.
• Ensuring a Culture Where Vol is a Verb
  • Develop and sustain a nurturing university culture where diversity and community are enduring sources of strength.
• Making Ourselves Nimble and Adaptable
  • Empower and sustain a culture of collaboration, agility, and innovation throughout the university.
• Embodying the Modern R 1, Land-Grant University

  • Connect with every Tennessean and with communities around the world, inspiring future Volunteers to join our community

Undergraduate Enrollment

There has never been a better time to become a Volunteer! More students than ever before have applied to join us on Rocky Top. UTK serves more than 40,000 Volunteers, including 32,000 undergraduate students and a yearly transfer class exceeding 2,300. In Fall 2025, it enrolled 7,100+ first-year students with an average ACT score of 28.7 and an average high school GPA of 4.18. As the #1 public university in Tennessee, UTK proudly offers 14 colleges and schools, 900+ programs of study, and a 92% first-year retention rate.

Faculty and Staff

Enrollment is a team sport. They rely on key campus partnerships with over 10,000 faculty, staff, and service employees, including 2,000+ instructional faculty, to deliver on the Volunteer Experience for its students. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has been recognized for multiple years by Forbes as a Best Employer for New Graduates and as one of America’s best large employers.

Alumni

More than 290,000+ Volunteers located in 100+ countries around the world are part of their vibrant alumni community. They partner with an extensive alumni network on a number of initiatives, including fundraising, scholarships, continuing education through non-credit programs, student recruitment, and the Welcome a Vol campaign to welcome every new Volunteer with a letter handwritten by an alumni.

Athletics

The University of Tennessee has 24 team national championships, including one in baseball, eight in women's basketball, six in football and a combined seven championships in track & field. Vols and Lady Vols have also captured 175 individual/relay national titles.

Leadership

UT Chancellor Donde Plowman is a decisive leader, consensus builder, and an innovative educator who is dedicated to investing in student success. Under Chancellor Plowman’s leadership since 2019, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville has set new records in student retention and graduation, research, instructional spending, alumni giving, and state support. Plowman oversees a campus budget of $2.3+ billion as well as more than 40,000 students, 9,000 staff and temp employees, and 2,000 members of faculty.

Enrollment Management at UTK

The Division of Enrollment Management focuses on undergraduate recruitment and admissions, student services, retention and graduation. They are dedicated to expanding access to educational opportunities, striving to remove barriers, and making academic pursuits more affordable. They are dedicated to expanding access to educational opportunities, striving to remove barriers, and making academic pursuits more affordable. They are committed to their work as a visionary unit defining an enhanced student experience, navigating the changing landscape of higher education, and pursuing the next level of enrollment management through innovation and impact.

SEP 2030 | UT’S Integrated Growth Plan

UT’s work is driven by its commitment to their students and its covenant with the state. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant institution, its top priority is serving the people of the state while continuing to attract top talent from across the nation and around the world. UT’s 2030 comprehensive growth strategy is dedicated to expanding educational access, enhancing academic excellence, and delivering an unparalleled Volunteer experience. The aim is to empower and prepare Tennessee’s economy for the future through workforce development and innovative research while fostering a community where every Vol is prepared to thrive.

Total Enrollment Goals for 2030

55,000 Students Enrolled by 2030, On-Campus & Fully Online

41,000 Campus-Based Students

• Undergraduate | 34,500
• First-Year | 7,100
• Transfer | 1,800
• Graduate | 6,500

14,000 Fully Online

• Undergraduate | 8000, Graduate | 6,000

2030 Enrollment Plan Strategic Objectives

• Deliver An Exceptional Volunteer Experience: Further elevate the student experience by fostering academic excellence, expanding high-impact learning experiences, and providing proactive personalized support. Create an environment where every student feels engaged, connected, and prepared for life beyond UT.

• Expand Access To The Modern Land Grant: Broaden access to a UT education by removing barriers and creating new and affordable pathways for Tennesseans and beyond to earn a UT degree. By expanding access to Tennessee’s flagship university, our vision is to reinforce the lasting value of a UT education, ensuring our graduates are prepared for lifelong learning and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

• Advance Tennessee Through Workforce & Community Impact: Educate Tennessee’s workforce of the future by preparing scholars for advanced study, aligning academic programs with industry needs, and expanding enrollment in high demand fields. UT will further its land-grant mission and improve the quality of life for Tennesseans through innovative learning models, meaningful research, expanded partnerships, and community engagement.

Leadership

Kari Alldredge serves as the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville providing leadership to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, University Registrar, One Stop, Enrollment Communications, Undergraduate Admissions, Transfer Center, International Recruitment and Enrollment Research & Analysis. During her time at UT, the University has experienced record enrollment levels in size and quality and launched new initiatives focused on student success, transfer students and defining the UT experience. Alldredge leads an executive leadership team that has a combined 130 years of experience in higher education and 37 years of experience serving UT.

Vision

A world enriched by our ideas, improved through action, and inspired by the Volunteer spirit of service and leadership.

Goals

A division centered by student-first initiatives and policies, empowered by our Strengths, and stewarded by our most important resource – its people, who are driven by radical collaboration across units, elevated by courageous conversations, and improved by a willingness to innovate our work, restructure our processes, and develop ourselves.

Values

Thought Partnership • Radical Collaboration Trust • Innovation • Development

Strengths

CliftonStrengths isn’t just for students at the University of Tennessee. As a Strengths-based organization, the institution recognizes the importance and value of investing in our staff’s Strengths-based development. They believe that understanding and utilizing our strengths is one way to strengthen our teams, our partnerships, our work, and our impact.

Enrollment Management Offices and Departments

• Center for Financial Wellness
• Enrollment Management Communications
• Enrollment Research & Innovation
• Financial Aid & Scholarships
• International Recruitment
• One Stop Student Services
• Pre-college
• Research Excellence Programs
• Student Services and Experience
• Transfer Center
• Undergraduate Admissions
• University Registrar
• Visitor Center

Undergraduate Admissions

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is investing in pathways that provide access to an affordable and valuable education for more Volunteers. Strategic partnerships with high schools, community colleges, and higher education organizations enable us to support enrollment growth and develop new opportunities for academically prepared students who see themselves on Rocky Top. The University wants to grow Tennessee’s talent pipeline by supporting scholars from across the state, the country and the globe. The Office of UG Admissions is supported by a dedicated team of regional admissions counselors serving territories across Tennessee, in all 50 states, and throughout the world. They foster a culture of continuing education for scholars at every stage of life. More than 2,300 transfer students join the Volunteer family every year, and its growing online enrollment brings a UT education to adult learners wherever they’re located.

UTK EM At a Glance

• 90 full-time team members
• 30+ admissions counselors
• 40,421 total students enrolled in Fall 2025
• 62,500+ applications received for first-year admission
• 7,143 first-year students enrolled in Fall 2025
• 5,000+ applications received for transfer admission
• 1,778 new transfer students enrolled in Fall 2025
• 3 Pathway Programs to support enrollment growth

Knoxville, Tennessee

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville has a metropolitan statistical area population of more than 850,000 people. The Knoxville community offers a dynamic culture featuring arts and entertainment, including a vibrant and diverse music scene offering a symphony orchestra and an opera company, several theaters, world-class restaurants, numerous cultural festivals and an active downtown area featuring a market square and minor league baseball stadium.

Surrounded by lakes and the Tennessee River, the Knoxville area boasts wonderful year-round water activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming that make for scenic and breathtaking views of the area. Hiking, camping, and peaceful drives in the mountains are especially popular for locals and tourists during the fall season. Knoxville is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains; and a day’s drive to Memphis, Chicago and Washington D.C. Located 12 miles from campus, McGhee Tyson Airport offers flights on Delta, American Airlines, and other major airlines. The University of Tennessee is adjacent to downtown Knoxville, accessible via foot, car, bike, bus, and trolley, and the rejuvenated South Knoxville waterfront, providing residents with multiple parks, walking paths, and riverfront views. World’s Fair Park is anchored by the Sunsphere, an iconic part of the skyline since its installation in 1982.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation for the position will be competitive and based on the skills and experience of the selected candidate and the agreed upon title and portfolio of responsibilities. For additional details, contact NES. This is an on campus position based in Knoxville, Tennessee. UTK also offers a competitive and excellent comprehensive benefits package.

To Apply

NES, a higher education search firm specializing in enrollment management searches, is assisting the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in identifying the University’s next Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission. For more information, or to nominate someone for this position, contact Catherine Capolupo (catherine.capolupo@nessearches.com) or Laura Robinson (laura.robinson@nessearches.com). All conversations will remain confidential unless otherwise stated and agreed. Interested candidates should submit a résumé and a letter of interest describing their unique qualifications for the Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission position at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Candidates should also provide the names and contact information of at least five professional references. For confidentiality, references will not be contacted without permission. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted electronically to UTK@nessearches.com no later than January 28, 2026. The position is campus-based and the preferred start date is Summer, 2026.

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The AVP will lead a mission-driven and passionate team of 90+ undergraduate admissions professionals, including 30+ regional counselors complimented by numerous student ambassadors. As part of its dynamic organization, the AVP will play a crucial role in defining the Volunteer Experience and collaborating across the Division of Enrollment Management and the UT campus to identify new ways to elevate UT’s enrollment growth and success, guided by the university’s five-year strategic enrollment plan. In addition, the AVP will have the following responsibilities the following five key areas:

Strategic Leadership & Enrollment Outcomes

• Provide executive leadership for undergraduate recruitment aligned with the university’s Strategic Enrollment Plan (SEP2030), focusing on funnel growth and pipeline development.
• Lead strategy for key recruitment populations in alignment with SEP2030 planning and goals, including identifying new opportunities for enrollment growth, supporting UT’s in-state access mission, and expanding access to UT through enhanced pathway programs.
• Utilize analytics, forecasting, and market intelligence to guide enrollment planning and decision-making.
• Lead the undergraduate admission team and support campus partners fostering a vibrant student experience while simultaneously accommodating enrollment growth, access, new pathways, and increasing selectivity.

Collaboration & Campus Partnerships

• Serve as a collaborative partner across campus units to align recruitment strategy with institutional priorities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with: Academic Colleges & Schools, Academic Affairs, Student Success, Student Life, Access & Engagement, Office of Innovative Technologies (OIT), Center for Global Engagement, and other enrollment-supporting units.
• Coordinate enrollment strategies with academic capacity, onboarding processes, and student success initiatives.
• Participate in cross-campus planning committees to integrate recruitment strategy into longrange academic and institutional planning.

Admissions Operations & Application Management

• Provide strategic leadership for admissions operations, including application processing, evaluation workflows, and decision release.
• Oversee Slate/CRM operations for undergraduate admissions, ensuring advanced, innovative use of technology to automate workflows, segment populations, enhance communications, and generate actionable reporting.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and innovation across all application pathways.
• Support and develop staff responsible for application review, file processing, and decisionmaking.
• Identify and implement ways to streamline the student application experience while maintaining compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements.
• Align admissions operations with data governance, reporting, and institutional analytics needs.

Innovation, Technology & Continuous Improvement

• Lead modernization initiatives that enhance recruitment strategy, operational agility, and applicant engagement.
• Strengthen analytics infrastructure to support forecasting, predictive modeling, and yield optimization.
• Introduce and scale technology-enabled solutions that improve applicant and staff experience.
• Partner with colleagues in Enrollment Management Leadership to anticipate, address, and respond to the evolving needs of students and families, public perceptions of higher education, and changes in state and federal legislative guidance, and advances in technology.

Communication & Institutional Engagement

• Serve as a visible campus and public-facing leader for undergraduate admissions strategy and outcomes.
• Partner with Enrollment Management Communications to design and implement robust marketing and communication strategies that support recruitment, funnel conversion, and institutional visibility.
• Communicate enrollment goals, trends, and progress to leadership, faculty, governance groups, and external stakeholders to foster shared accountability.