North Idaho College seeks a Dean of Enrollment Services
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NIC_Dean_Enrollment_Svcs_Profile.pdf
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
The Position:
This is a moment of real opportunity at North Idaho College for a dynamic, results-driven professional. With new academic leadership in place and a clear commitment to strengthening student success, access, and workforce alignment, the Dean of Enrollment Services will step into a role that is both highly visible and deeply influential. Reporting to the newly appointed Provost, Dr. Gwen Cash-James, and serving on both the President’s and Provost’s Cabinets, this leader will help shape how the institution grows, bringing together enrollment strategy, academic priorities, and the student experience in ways that are increasingly aligned, intentional, and impactful.
The Dean provides leadership across the full enrollment enterprise, including admissions, recruitment, financial aid, the registrar, and Cardinal Central, the college’s one-stop student services hub. In this capacity, the Dean will guide strategy development, enrollment planning, and service delivery, ensuring a seamless, student-centered experience from first inquiry through enrollment and persistence. The role is uniquely positioned to influence the full student journey while strengthening recruitment pipelines, improving yield and retention, aligning enrollment efforts with academic programs, and expanding partnerships with K–12, community, and workforce stakeholders.
At the same time, the college is well-positioned to respond to emerging opportunities, including Workforce Pell and evolving community and employer needs, creating space for innovation, collaboration, and new approaches to enrollment strategy. For a leader who enjoys building relationships, connecting ideas across silos, and turning strategy into action, this is a chance to do meaningful, visible work.
The Dean will join a leadership team that values collaboration, clarity and results. Dr. Cash-James brings a track record of aligning academic strategy with student success and workforce needs, and she approaches leadership with a strong emphasis on cross-functional partnerships where enrollment, academics and student support are expected to operate as an integrated whole. For individuals seeking to make a tangible impact within a vibrant, relationship-focused institution, NIC offers the chance to engage in work that drives real progress, strengthens the college, and leaves a lasting impact on students and the region.
Responsibilities:
This list includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Leads the development, implementation, and assessment of a data-informed strategic enrollment management plan focused on recruitment, retention, persistence, completion, and equitable student outcomes.
- Provides leadership, mentorship, direction, support, supervision, and professional development opportunities for employees in enrollment services departments according to college policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Builds and maintains strong and collaborative relationships with other college leadership, working collegially with the members of faculty, staff and others to develop and implement short- and long-term enrollment plans.
- Establishes and continuously improves policies, procedures, workflows, and service standards to ensure timely, accurate, and student-focused service.
- Uses enrollment data, dashboards, and performance metrics to analyze trends, identify barriers, monitor outcomes, and guide resource allocation.
- Ensures compliance with state and federal rules and regulations that impact enrollment services, including but not limited to FERPA and Title IV.
- Provides integration and coordination of services, programs, and initiatives of enrollment departments that meet college mission/goals, current student needs and best practice trends.
- Models and implements effective enrollment management strategies with employees in such areas as on-going professional development, mentoring and customer service awareness.
- Partners with high schools, community organizations, employers, and internal college units to support dual credit, outreach, recruitment, onboarding, and community engagement efforts.
- Collaborates with the Communications and Marketing department to develop plans and strategies that engage prospective and continuing students across the student lifecycle. Identifies and recommends technology to improve student engagement, communications, and success initiatives.
- Stays abreast of current and emerging trends in student affairs and higher education, particularly as they relate to community college student recruitment, retention and completion.
- Develops a set of core outcomes for enrollment services and measures and tracks annual performance against objectives; prepares and submits annual assessment report.
- Oversees budget development, grant and proposal support, and responsible stewardship of resources tied to enrollment priorities and student service delivery.
- Demonstrates a commitment to the philosophy and mission of a comprehensive community college.
- Maintains a positive, helpful, constructive attitude and work relationship with supervisor, college staff, students, and the community.
- Represents the enrollment services division on college committees, strategic planning efforts, and external partnerships.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and five years full-time equivalent experience in higher education required, to include progressively responsible leadership of large teams, budgeting, supervision, enrollment/student services planning, and data management.
- Master’s degree and experience in community college administration, inlcuding Enrollment Management, Student Records, Registration, Financial Aid and/or Recruitment programs is preferred.
- Strong understanding of FERPA and records security, student records processing, financial aid processing, and related federal regulations.
- Highly skilled in the development and implementation of recruitment, retention and completion initiatives.
- Comprehensive knowledge of college functions, including instruction and student services.
- Advanced knowledge of methods and techniques for conducting statistical and financial analyses.
- Excellent supervisory and team leadership skills.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills both verbaland written.
- Proficient using Microsoft Office applications, student information systems and customer relationship management software, and the ability to learn and adapt to emerging technologies, software, and social media.
About North Idaho College:
North Idaho College (NIC) is a comprehensive community college located on the beautiful shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene serving the five northern counties (Kootenai, Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, and Shoshone) of Idaho. NIC is Idaho's oldest public community college, having been founded in 1933.
Today, NIC has grown into a vital educational hub that combines academic excellence with a strong commitment to workforce development and community engagement. NIC offers degrees and certificates in a broad spectrum of academic transfer, career and technical education, and general education programs. More than 5,000 students are enrolled in credit classes and more than 4,400 participate annually in non-credit courses offered by the Workforce Training Center in Post Falls. NIC also plays a key role in the region’s economic development by preparing competent, trained employees for area businesses, industries, and governmental agencies.
- NIC was ranked #1 community college in Idaho by Intelligent.com in their 2024 rankings.
- NIC boasts a 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
NIC’s picturesque 45-acre campus on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene creates an inspiring environment for learning and growth. The college leverages its location to provide unique programs in outdoor recreation, health sciences, and technical education, blending natural beauty with academic opportunity. Its vibrant campus culture fosters student involvement, inclusivity, and leadership, while promoting a close-knit, supportive atmosphere that resonates throughout the institution. The college lives its mission, vision and values every day:
Mission
North Idaho College meets the diverse educational needs of students, employers and the northern Idaho communities it serves through a commitment to student success, educational excellence, community engagement and lifelong learning.
Vision
As a comprehensive community college, North Idaho College strives to provide accessible, affordable, quality learning opportunities. North Idaho College endeavors to be an innovative, flexible leader recognized as a center of educational, cultural, economic and civic activities by the communities it serves.
Values
North Idaho College is dedicated to a set of core values that guide its decisions and actions.
The college subscribes to the philosophy of the comprehensive community college, including an “open-door” admissions policy. To truly reflect its role as a community college, NIC accepts the fundamental responsibility to meet the varying needs of individuals with widely divergent interests and abilities. To this end, the college offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees in various college transfer programs, and Associate of Applied Science degrees and technical certificates in its career and technical education programs. Students obtaining an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree can transfer with junior standing to all other Idaho public colleges and universities.
Revenue for NIC is derived primarily from annual legislative appropriations, property taxes from the local district, and student tuition and fees. The college also receives gifts, grants, and endowments for scholarships and development from many sources, both public and private, primarily through the North Idaho College Foundation.
Governance and leadership at NIC reflect both its strong community roots and its forward-looking vision. The college is governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees, with an administrative team committed to transparency, student success, and institutional stability. NIC has faced recent challenges, like many institutions, but continues to focus on strengthening internal operations, improving enrollment, and enhancing academic programming.
Looking ahead, NIC is poised for a new chapter of strategic growth and innovation. With strong community support, a dedicated faculty and staff, and a mission to serve as an accessible, affordable gateway to higher education, NIC remains a cornerstone of opportunity in northern Idaho. For leaders passionate about education, regional development, and institutional excellence, NIC represents both a meaningful challenge and a compelling opportunity.
Enrollment Services
The Division of Enrollment Services at North Idaho College is a comprehensive, student-facing enterprise encompassing admissions, recruitment, financial aid, and the registrar, and is supported today by a team of 22 professionals, including four direct reports. A cornerstone of the division is Cardinal Central, the college’s one-stop student services hub, designed to provide a seamless and welcoming experience for prospective, new, and continuing students. Located in the DeArmond Building, Cardinal Central serves as the primary point of contact for a wide range of student needs, from application and enrollment steps to financial aid, registration, and general questions, ensuring students can access support in one place without navigating multiple offices. The division plays a critical role in shaping the student journey, with a strong emphasis on service, access, and collaboration across functions.
Why Consider the Opportunity:
- Lead the Enrollment Enterprise: Oversee a comprehensive enrollment ecosystem, including a one-stop hub designed for a seamless student experience from first inquiry through completion.
- Catalyze Cross-Sector Partnerships: Work internally across divisions to connect recruitment, retention, and completion into a unified, student-first experience while also engaging with external partners to build responsive K-12, community, and workforce-aligned solutions.
- Drive Innovation and Growth Opportunities: Position the college to capitalize on emerging opportunities, such as Workforce Pell and evolving credential pathways, by developing high-impact, future-focused enrollment strategies and plans.
- Build Systems that Enable Scale and Clarity: Design and refine structures, processes, and technology capabilities that improve efficiency, data-informed decision making, and service delivery across the enrollment lifecycle.
- Advance the Community College Mission: Open doors to opportunity, support student progress, and drive completion by embedding student success into enrollment strategy, policies, and daily practice.
- Live Where Others Vacation: Contribute to a vibrant lakefront campus in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and quality of life support both professional impact and personal well-being.
To Apply:
A confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled. For priority consideration, individuals are encouraged to apply by May 25, 2026. Please submit a PDF version of your letter of application outlining your interest/suitability for this position and a resume.
To Apply Online:
https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su507
Karen Pedersen, PhD
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
(719) 747-2545
kpedersen@summitsearchsolutions.com
To review NIC’s comprehensive and affordable benefits package, click here.
North Idaho College is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other applicable legally protected status.
