Gardner-Webb President Announces New Vice President for Enrollment Management

Dean T. Clark Brings 20 Years of Experience Working at Private Faith-Based Liberal Arts Institutions

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb President William Downs has named Dean T. Clark, of Derby, Kan., as the University’s new Vice President for Enrollment Management. Clark comes to GWU with 20 years of experience working in private faith-based liberal arts institutions and is an alumnus of one. He begins his leadership role at Gardner-Webb on Oct. 20.

“From the outset of our search, we were looking for someone with experience working in challenging recruitment environments, and Dean Clark knows how to fight for every student,” praised Downs. “He brings a fierce determination to organize our enrollment team for sustained success, and I am confident that Dean’s ‘all in’ approach will help Gardner-Webb realize our ambitions for growth. We’re incredibly eager for his arrival!”

Previously, Clark was executive vice president of Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., and a member of the president’s core cabinet. Under his leadership, Southwestern enrolled the first-, second-, third- and fifth-largest freshmen classes in school history. He also revamped the entire admissions process, including updating technology, to help drive enrollment. Clark supervised the vice presidents for main campus and professional studies enrollment, the vice president for student success, and the directors of financial aid and athletics. Before that, he served as Southwestern’s vice president for enrollment.

When Clark visited GWU, he was impressed with the beautiful campus and the passion that everyone had for the University and its mission and values. “I truly am honored and excited to be the next vice president for enrollment at Gardner-Webb,” he affirmed. “I’m excited about moving to the area and working with the admissions office. I want to be an active participant in the overall community and learn more about Gardner-Webb traditions and history. More students need to see all that Gardner-Webb has to offer, and I want to help make that happen.”

He looks forward to meeting those students and their families. “My two favorite days of the year are new student move-in day and graduation,” Clark asserted. “Over four years you get to watch the transformation of our students through their time on campus where we focus on educating the whole student—mind, body and spirit.”

Clark received his bachelor’s degree in 1997 from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., and worked there from 2002 to 2015. He began as the director of admissions and financial aid at Carthage and was promoted to associate vice president for admissions and then vice president for enrollment. Clark also has experience working in the investments sector with Charles Schwab. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Loyola University in Chicago, Ill.

Gardner-Webb was assisted in the search by Myers-McRae Executive Search and Consulting. References contacted during the search process emphasized key insights into Clark’s character and experience. For one, Clark’s “drive to deliver results, his intelligence, his humility and service orientation and his unparalleled ability to partner with a president and senior colleagues to deliver results make him an excellent fit for this position.” For another, Clark is “a champion of identifying new markets and institutional opportunities for growth.” A third lauded, “Please know how competitive [Dean Clark] is and how loyal he will be to your institution…He was born to lead an admissions department due to his comfort level with numbers, his competitiveness, and his belief in education.”

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.