An experienced enrollment management administrator with ties to Indiana State has been selected as the university’s first vice president for enrollment management, marketing and communications, the university announced today.
John E. Beacon, currently vice provost for enrollment management at Western Michigan University, was selected for the position following a nationwide search.
“I am pleased to welcome John to our senior management team. His enrollment management experience across several institutions and his knowledge of Indiana State and our marketplace will be exceedingly beneficial to our recruitment efforts. I am impressed not only with the breadth of his experience but with the level of enthusiasm he brings to this role,†said Lloyd W. Benjamin III, president of Indiana State University.
Beacon indicated that the combination of the enrollment management area with the communications and marketing functions in a cabinet-level position was what attracted him to the position.
“I am absolutely thrilled with this opportunity. Bringing these units together and building upon their synergy and collaboration can only profit the university by helping us move together in a common direction,†Beacon said.
In addition to his position at Western Michigan, Beacon served as the assistant provost and dean of enrollment management at the University of Maine from 1997 to 2005 and in admissions leadership roles at the University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University, Eastern Illinois University and Illinois Valley Community College. Early in his career, Beacon worked as an assistant director of admissions at Indiana State where he also earned his master’s degree.
“Thirty-three years and six institutions later, I feel as though I am returning home to a place where I had four very enjoyable years. Terre Haute is where I bought my first home,†Beacon said.
Beacon added that he was pleased to see the evolution of campus that has occurred and the redevelopment efforts underway in the downtown area.
“There has been a dramatic change in this campus. It is absolutely beautiful and will be a strong selling piece for our recruitment efforts. My goal is to bring as many students to campus as possible so that they can experience it first-hand,†he said.
Beacon added that he will be analyzing ISU’s enrollment data to assess where recruitment efforts are working and how they can be strengthened, along with determining what new markets exist that haven’t received much attention before.
“I am impressed with the vision and leadership President Benjamin is providing this great university. To work with him and others whom I met during my visit was a deciding factor in my decision to accept this important position,†Beacon said.
“There is no question in my mind that as a community of educators we will grow enrollment and improve retention,†he added.
In addition to his master’s degree in college student personnel from Indiana State, Beacon holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, and has completed graduate coursework in higher education administration at Eastern Illinois University.
Beacon said his wife is equally excited about living in Terre Haute. He will begin his new duties in July.
Contact: Katie Spanuello, media relations assistant director, Indiana State University, (812) 237-3790 or kspanuello@isugw.indstate.edu
Writer: Teresa Exline, special assistant to the president for strategic communications and university spokesperson, Indiana State University, (812) 237-7783 or t-exline@indstate.edu