Dr. James Mootz has been hired as the interim associate vice chancellor for enrollment at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Previously the director of special projects and director of enrollment services at Winona State University, Mootz has been involved in various capacities with the admissions program at Winona State since 1974.
"Dr. Mootz has had remarkable success at Winona in dramatically raising the academic quality of the institution's student body, and in securing ample qualified applicants," said UMM Chancellor Sam Schuman.
Mootz will provide overall leadership in the areas of admissions, financial aid, and student retention.
"Dr. Mootz will continue the fine efforts of our admissions counselors and financial aid staff in recruiting the fall 2003 freshman class," stated Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Sandy Olson-Loy.
In addition, Andy Lopez, professor of computer science, has been appointed as a special assistant and adviser to Mootz during the transition.
"Andy has a keen interest in Admissions, is past chair of the Campus Resources and Planning Committee, has been active in student recruiting, and has been an administrative director (of computing services) at UMM," said Schuman. "This range of appropriate experience should make the transition in Admissions and Financial Aid as rapid and as smooth as possible."
Mootz holds a bachelor's degree in natural science, a master's degree in counseling and guidance, and a doctoral degree in higher education and student personnel. Each degree was earned while attending the University of North Dakota.
"I am very excited but humble to join the UMM family," said Mootz. "People in Minnesota who understand higher education have always regarded Morris as a very fine institution of higher learning with a wonderful faculty and highly academically talented students. My first month at UMM has just reinforced all of my previous impressions of this 'academic jewel' in west central Minnesota."
Since the 1974 fall quarter, Winona State University's undergraduate enrollment has increased from slightly under 3,000 students to 6,500 students. Despite a decline in the number of high school graduates over a period of 26 years, freshman enrollment at WSU continued to grow.
As director of enrollment services, Mootz acted as a catalyst for system changes focusing on providing personal attention for the prospective and admitted students, immediate feedback and a strong relationship with high school counselors.
Mootz served as president of the Minnesota Association for College Admissions Counseling (MACAC) from 1997-98, and has served as the Minnesota State Representative to the ACT Corporate Board in Iowa City, Iowa.
A believer in civic involvement, Mootz has been involved with such groups as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Parent Teacher Association, the YMCA, and has served on the board of directors of Big Brothers, among others.
Mootz will work at UMM through the remainder of this year and next. A search committee is expected to be appointed next fall to conduct a full-scale, national search for an associate vice chancellor for enrollment.
"I look forward to representing the University of Minnesota, Morris," continued Mootz. "The two areas that I am primarily involved with - the Offices of Admissions and Financial Aid - are deeply committed to serving UMM students. I am very impressed with the work ethic of the staff, and their willingness to go the extra mile to assist both prospective and enrolled students."
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Last Modified Tuesday, February 01, 2005
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