Eric Nichols to serve as vice president for enrollment management
After a national search, Loyola announced today that Eric Nichols will be Loyola鈥檚 vice president for enrollment beginning July 15, 2019. Nichols is currently vice president for enrollment and dean of admission at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., where he has served in leadership positions on the admission team since 2012.
鈥淲ith the changing higher education landscape and the challenges faced in recruiting undergraduate and graduate students, the vice president for enrollment management role is an integral one,鈥� said Amanda M. Thomas, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淓ric brings a great deal of experience and expertise, an understanding of the need for innovative, data-driven decisions in admission, and an appreciation for Catholic, liberal arts education.鈥�
Prior to joining Saint Anselm as director of admission, Nichols worked in admission and career counseling roles for Brown University and Stonehill College. When he visited Loyola, he was struck by the location, the enhancement of Loyola鈥檚 career services, and the beauty of the Evergreen campus.
鈥淏eing located near a metropolitan area provides students with a fantastic opportunity to access dynamic experiential learning opportunities,鈥� Nichols said. 鈥淭here is also tremendous potential for growth in graduate programs. It鈥檚 an exciting time to have this role at a time when the University is forward-thinking and considering how to grow its footprint in the community.鈥�
In his seven years at Saint Anselm, Nichols has increased the number of prospective students visiting campus by 57% and enrollment by 7%鈥攚ith the college鈥檚 record undergraduate population of 2,000 students for the first time this fall. Five of the six strongest academic classes in Saint Anselm鈥檚 history have enrolled during his tenure, and the college has also seen record-high retention and graduation rates in that time. Those metrics have contributed to helping Saint Anselm move up 35 spots in the U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 National Liberal Arts rankings since 2012.
鈥淚鈥檓 a strong believer in Catholic higher education and the values of a liberal arts education,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he common thread among the Catholic institutions I鈥檝e been associated with has been the ability to produce not just strong outcomes but also good people鈥攚ho are more likely to get involved in their communities, and give back to others. I know Loyola is transforming lives in this same way and I鈥檓 looking forward to being a part of this community."
Nichols has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from Stonehill and a Master of Education in Counseling from Providence College.
鈥淥ne of the biggest challenges in higher ed is affordability,鈥� he said. 鈥淔amilies want to know their investment is a good one, and that鈥檚 why Loyola鈥檚 commitment to enhancing career services is essential. In addition students are looking for hands-on, applied learning opportunities鈥攁nd Loyola鈥檚 Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a great addition to the campus.鈥�
Nichols grew up in Quincy, Mass., just outside of Boston, the son of a single mother. He became the first in his immediate family to graduate from college.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 see higher ed as a possibility, so I bring that with me in this role. I know there are many students who feel the same way. You need to get in front of those students and let them know it is a possibility,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was lucky enough to be able to go to college because of a generous financial aid package. At the time, I didn鈥檛 have much guidance through the process. To now be in a position where I can help students like me is hard to put into words. Now I am able to make a difference in a student鈥檚 life鈥攏ot just for first-generation students, but for all students.鈥�