James L Perry PhD
Saginaw,MI
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in driving institutional growth and guiding high-performing teams. Proven track record in managing complex projects and achieving strategic objectives through the development of efficient processes that align with organizational goals. Recognized for a collaborative approach, strong analytical abilities, and exceptional communication skills, enhancing adaptability to new environments. Detail-oriented professional dedicated to continuous learning and growth, consistently taking a proactive stance in identifying and addressing challenges while supporting team success.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dean of Enrollment and Access
Delta College
05.2023 - Current
- Ensures the development of an enrollment strategy in line with the educational mission. Establishes strategies that align with educational attainment. Working with admissions, financial aid, and the registrar, to ensure that our student body reflects intersectional identities, with particular attention to eradicating opportunity gaps in new and returning students. Direct efforts in dual enrollment, marketing courses and programs, increasing the number of students and their overall credit load, with a focus on completion as a means to enhance enrollment.
- Develop and evaluate innovative, comprehensive enrollment strategies informed by data-driven decisions.
- Develop strategies to increase enrollment in areas with opportunity gaps, and focus on processes to enhance the front-door experience for students and the re-entry of returning students.
- Provide administrative leadership for the integrated delivery of enrollment services, including Admissions, Registration, and Financial Aid.
- Create a substantial, ongoing dual-enrollment strategy to enhance short-term workforce program enrollment.
- Fostered partnerships with community organizations to expand educational outreach programs.
- Spearheaded strategic planning processes, aligning departmental goals with institutional mission.
- Advocated for student success initiatives, enhancing retention and graduation rates through targeted support services.
Interim Director of Financial Aid
Delta College
09.2025 - Current
- Develop and implement comprehensive financial aid policies to enhance student access and retention.
- Lead strategic initiatives to optimize financial aid processes, improving overall operational efficiency.
- Mentors and trains staff on regulatory compliance and best practices in financial aid administration.
- Analyze financial data to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
- Collaborate with academic departments to align financial aid offerings with institutional goals.
- Engage in community outreach efforts to promote awareness of financial assistance options available to students.
- Provide financial aid counseling to enrolled and prospective students.
- Conduct regular audits of financial aid data to identify discrepancies or inconsistencies, maintaining accuracy across all records.
- Establish effective communication channels between relevant parties involved in the distribution of funds, such as the Bursar's office, Admissions, and students.
Director of Admissions and Recruitment
Tuskegee University
09.2018 - 04.2023
- Spearheaded comprehensive operations of university admissions and recruiting, ensuring optimal performance of team members to uphold the high standards of the institution.
- Developed and executed recruitment strategies tailored to diverse student populations, enhancing overall enrollment.
- Facilitated workshops and information sessions to engage prospective students and educate them on admission requirements.
- Increased institutional effectiveness, evaluating employee performance to determine professional development opportunities that strengthen foundational skills while introducing advanced recruiting techniques.
- Leveraged innovative marketing strategies to expand brand awareness, producing promotional materials to showcase the Veterinary Program.
Ensured regulatory compliance with all university, state, and federal policies. - Streamlined transition from previous systems to a fully electronic admissions process.
- Significantly increased student enrollments, average student GPA, and student retention rates.
Admissions Counselor / Recruiter / Coordinator of
Tuskegee University
07.2015 - 09.2018
- Organized multiple projects, holding concurrent responsibilities across numerous university functions; participated in a variety of high school visits, college fairs, community college presentations, community activities, career days, and student events.
- Evaluated applications to determine enrollment eligibility, communicating regularly with accepted students to increase overall starts.
- Collaborated in a team-centered environment to reach common goals and achieve optimal results.
- Partnered with Financial Aid to verify student information and present payment options.
- Led campus tours and coordinated group visits from local high schools
- Developed and executed new student orientation programs, building excitement and anticipation of future graduates while efficiently introducing them to all university resources.
- Effectively liaised between the Office of Admissions and the Athletic Department, completing NCAA evaluations of prospective student athletes.
- Created Virtua National Alumni Recruiting Training, as well as Virtual Summer Information Sessions, to increase student enrollments.
- Facilitated engaging information sessions for prospective students to promote enrollment opportunities and program offerings.
- Collaborated with academic departments to align recruitment strategies with institutional goals and student needs.
Education
Ph.D. - Integrative Public Policy And Development
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL11-2025
Master of Science - Integrative Public Policy And Development
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL05.2025
Master of Science - Psychology
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix01.2019
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma - Mental Health Counseling
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN12.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL08.2001
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Enrollment Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Operations Management
- Team Building & Development
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Communication & Collaboration
- Student counseling
- Policy interpretation
- Data verification
- Federal student aid policies
- Public relations & speaking
- Professionalism
- Adaptability
- Project & Change management
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Microsoft Teams
- CRM Management
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Virtual & Social Media Platforms
Affiliations
- Chairs and Academic Administrators Management Program Alum
- Member, NACAC – National Association for College Admission Counseling
- Member, NASFAA - National Association of Student Financial Aid Alliance
- Member, HRSA – Peer Learning Work Group for Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Member, Honor Society
- Member, National Society of Leadership and Success
Certification
- Chairs and Academic Administrators Management Program by the Academy for Advancing Leadership (AAL)
- Change Management
- SWOT Analysis
- Collaborative Strategic Planning
- Cost of Attendance Test
- Federal Pell Grant Program Test
- Direct Loans Test
- Packaging & Aid Notification Test
- Return of Title IV Funds Test
- Satisfactory Academic Progress Test
- Administrative Capability Test
Additional Experience
- Interim Dean of Students | Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL
- Admissions Counselor / Recruiter / Athletic Liaison | Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL
- Director of Student Affairs | Premier Academy of Ohio
- County Sheriff | Macon County | Tuskegee, AL
- Outreach Counselor | Directions for Youth and Families | Columbus, OH
- Senior Pastor | The Church By Christ | Columbus, OH
- Case Manager | CPST, Southeast Inc. | Columbus, OH
- Habilitation Specialist | Alvis House, Inc. | Columbus, OH
- Owner / Operator | Custodial Tech Ltd. | Columbus, OH
- Case Manager | Consolidated Care Inc. | Marysville, OH
Accomplishments
- Achieving the Dream 2024 Conference Presenter – Topic: Removing Barriers to Access State & Federal Aid
- The National Society of Leadership & Success Inductee
- Honor Society Inductee
Timeline
Interim Director of Financial Aid
Delta College
09.2025 - Current
Dean of Enrollment and Access
Delta College
05.2023 - Current
Director of Admissions and Recruitment
Tuskegee University
09.2018 - 04.2023
Admissions Counselor / Recruiter / Coordinator of
Tuskegee University
07.2015 - 09.2018
Ph.D. - Integrative Public Policy And Development
Tuskegee University
Master of Science - Integrative Public Policy And Development
Tuskegee University
Master of Science - Psychology
Grand Canyon University
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma - Mental Health Counseling
Capella University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Tuskegee University