Fox Cities News

Dr. Curtis Ferguson II is set to join Lawrence University as the new dean of strategic enrollment starting May 1. Ferguson transitions from his role as associate director of admissions at the University of Southern California.

At Lawrence, Ferguson will collaborate with Phil Betz, vice president for enrollment management, Robert Nowak, associate vice president for enrollment management, and other campus leaders. Together, they will focus on developing and implementing both short- and long-term strategies aimed at recruitment and retention.

Ferguson's career includes roles such as associate director of admission at DePauw University and associate director of student services at Cornell University before joining USC in 2019.

He expressed enthusiasm about his new role at Lawrence due to his commitment to advancing liberal arts education through strategic enrollment management. “The opportunity to develop and implement innovative recruitment, admissions, and retention initiatives aligns perfectly with my professional values and expertise,” he stated. He emphasized that his 15-year career has been dedicated to fostering inclusive educational spaces while promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and using data-driven strategies for student success.

Ferguson plans to focus on executing a comprehensive Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan aimed at meeting enrollment targets while ensuring equitable access and holistic student success. “This will involve analyzing data, competitive landscapes, and enrollment trends to inform our strategies," he said. "Creating targeted digital marketing campaigns and developing messaging that resonates with our key student segments.”