Plymouth State University has named Joanne Landers, PhD, as vice president for enrollment management and communications. Landers assumed her role with PSU on August 21, 2023.
In this role, Landers reports to President Donald L. Birx, PhD, providing vision, leadership, and management of the University’s goals, objectives, and strategies, and she leads the admissions and communications teams.
“I am excited to join Plymouth State University, a historic institution with nationally and regionally renowned academic and athletic programs that are setting an example for 21st-century higher education with innovative projects and its unique Clusters Learning Model,” Landers said. “I look forward to telling the University’s compelling story as well as working to enhance the recruitment, retention, and persistence of PSU students to ensure that they are equipped to thrive once they graduate. I thank President Birx, the University trustees, and the entire PSU community for this opportunity.”
After a nationwide search, a committee comprising PSU faculty and staff selected Landers, who arrives from Saint Elizabeth University in New Jersey where she served for three years as the vice president of enrollment management.
“Welcoming Joanne to our campus is an important moment as we work to enhance our next-generation, highly acclaimed programs in business, education, meteorology, robotics, and beyond. Joanne will oversee the University’s communications efforts, develop strategies to strengthen student retention, and work to ensure this year’s enrollment growth continues for years to come,” said Birx. “As we continue to reshape the way we approach education, it’s never been more critical to build awareness of the PSU Cluster Learning Model, which prepares students for the real world by bringing together students from diverse disciplines to work together with community partners and solve problems both locally and globally. We are excited to welcome Joanne to New Hampshire and to the PSU community.”
At Saint Elizabeth University, Landers oversaw admissions and financial aid for all undergraduate students, co-chaired the enrollment and retention team, implemented a new customer relationship management (CRM) system, collaborated with the University’s director of communications and marketing to develop and execute digital and print recruitment campaigns, and was a member of the President’s Cabinet. Prior to Saint Elizabeth University, Landers served as vice president of enrollment services at Tennessee Wesleyan University, as director of admissions at Armstrong State University in Savannah, Georgia, and as the director of admissions at the Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, Ohio.
Landers brings 20 years of academic, enrollment and admissions experience and knowledge to PSU.
Landers holds a PhD in education with a specialization in leadership in higher education from Capella University, a master of arts in higher education administration from the University of Akron, and a bachelor of arts in political science from Miami University in Ohio. She also has an enrollment management certificate from Ruffalo Noel-Levitz.
