Bellarmine University's president, Dr. Susan M. Donovan, has appointed Dr. Michael Marshall as the university's new vice president for enrollment, marketing and communication. He will begin his new role at Bellarmine in June. Marshall began his career as an undergraduate admission counselor at Mercyhurst University, a Catholic liberal arts college in Erie, Pennsylvania, that Donovan noted is similar to Bellarmine in many ways, including its size and mission. He is currently associate vice president for enrollment services at Clark Atlanta University. With primary responsibility for defining the university’s brand and shaping its vision for enrollment, Marshall will lead a newly combined team that includes undergraduate and graduate admissions, financial aid, marketing and communication. "During our selection process, I was struck by how closely Mike's own values seem to align with Bellarmine's mission and values," Donovan said. "He is a thought leader in higher education with proven success and bold ideas for strengthening enrollment strategies and marketing reach. He will embrace our new strategic plan and help us make a Bellarmine education possible for more students - and more diverse students - amid a rapidly changing landscape for colleges and universities." Marshall joined Clark Atlanta University in 2016. During his time at the historically black liberal arts college, he served an additional one-year appointment as interim dean of student services and campus life. He increased undergraduate applications by more than 170% while improving the academic profile of first-year students, with an overall enrollment increase of 6.8% during that time. He also worked collaboratively with deans and academic departments to develop new marketing strategies for their programs. Before moving to Atlanta, he spent 11 years at Texas Christian University, progressing from an admission counselor to associate director of admission and later chief government affairs officer. "I am honored and excited to join the Bellarmine family," said Marshall. "I am eager to collaborate with the 'village' to develop and implement data-informed, innovative strategies to enroll and graduate a diverse and well-rounded student body at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To that end, I look forward to engaging with internal and external stakeholders to position, promote and advance the Bellarmine brand – locally, regionally, nationally and internationally." Marshall holds a doctoral degree in educational administration for higher education leadership and a master's degree in liberal arts from Texas Christian University, and a bachelor of business administration in marketing from Mercyhurst University. "Every community member with whom my wife and I interacted throughout the search process was genuine, hospitable and supportive," Marshall said. "Bellarmine's values-based mission, the rich Catholic and liberal arts tradition, the tight-knit community and the strong town-gown relationship with Louisville resonated with us." Marshall was selected through a process that brought three finalists from across the nation to Bellarmine's campus earlier this month for meetings with students, faculty and staff. The search committee co-chairs were Barry E. Fields, a Bellarmine graduate and trustee who is a trial lawyer and partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and Dr. Sean Ryan, currently Bellarmine's vice president for enrollment management and dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Donovan has appointed Ryan to a new role beginning in June. He will become Bellarmine’s senior vice president, with primary responsibility for ensuring that the priorities of the new strategic plan are implemented, measured and assessed.