Interim AVP and Search Committee

January 18, 2022

Dear SSEM team, 

Last week in our announcement about Jim Rawlins’ departure, I indicated we would be sharing details regarding our transition plan for our vacant Assistant Vice President and Director of Admissions position. Over the past two weeks, I met with members of the Admissions leadership team and heard their perspective, ideas, and needs for the next few months. I appreciate each of the individuals I consulted as they represented their views and the thoughts of many of our Admissions team members. After considering the feedback received, an interim plan has been developed.   

Interim Appointment  

I am pleased to share Dr. Lisa Harris has agreed to serve as our Assistant Vice President and Director of Admissions in an interim appointment. Dr. Harris is retired and currently working as a higher education strategist with institutions and as a Senior Consultant for American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. With more than 40 years in the fields of university administration and enrollment management, she offers a great deal of knowledge and industry experience, and it is clear we will most certainly benefit from her leadership. 

Dr. Harris has held senior management positions in Enrollment Management and Student Affairs areas such as Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, and Vice President of Enrollment Management. Her appointments at Clemson University, the University of Tennessee, Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama, Mississippi State University, Boise State University, and Sul Ross State University have equipped her to lead our team and assist us in meeting our goals.  

Dr. Harris holds a B.A. degree in Psychology and a M.Ed. in Personnel Services (counseling) from Clemson University and a Ph.D. in Vocational Education (adult education) from Louisiana State University. 

Dr. Harris will begin her role as interim Assistant Vice President Director of Admissions on February 7, 2022. Please join me in welcoming her to the University of Oregon family.  

Search Committee 

I am also pleased to share that Associate Vice President for Student Services & Enrollment Management, Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Jim Brooks, has agreed to serve as our chair for the search committee charged with evaluating and interviewing candidates for our next Assistant Vice President and Director of Admissions. Additional members of the search committee include representatives from across campus and SSEM. Search Committee Members are listed below: 

Chair: Jim Brooks, Associate Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management 

Members:    

  • Mia Adams, Admissions Specialist, Office of Admissions 
  • Jake Beck, Undergraduate Student 
  • Raphe Beck, Executive Director, University of Oregon Alumni Association  
  • Jennifer Bell, Associate Director, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships 
  • Deb Morrison, Associate Dean, School of Journalism and Communication 
  • Collette Niland, Associate Dean, Lundquist School of Business 
  • Jett Nilprabhassorn, Associate Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing 
  • Lisa Peterson, Senior Womens Administrator, Intercollegiate Athletics 
  • Julia Pomerenk, Assistant Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management 
  • Luis Renteria, Assistant Director, Office of Admissions 

Admin. Support:  Ceara Wilson, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for SSEM 

As is our practice in Student Services and Enrollment Management, every member of the Office of Admissions and our division will have the opportunity to be involved in this search process (please check in with your supervisor first). I would encourage all members of SSEM to participate in the search, as your feedback is valuable as we identify our next leader in Admissions. Thank you in advance to all members of the search committee for your commitment and guidance.  

Lastly, again, please join me in welcoming Dr. Lisa Harris as our interim Assistant Vice President and Director of Admissions when she begins at the UO on February 7.   

Sincerely, 

Roger J. Thompson 
Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management 
Student Services and Enrollment Management