Jesse Klenk
Hendersonville,TN
Summary
Strategic Campus President with over 10 years in private college administration, specializing in student recruitment, retention, and graduate job placement. Drives collaboration and commitment within teams to achieve institutional goals. Develops innovative strategies that enhance student success and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Campus President/Dean
Remington College
Nashville
01.2018 - Current
- Elevated Nashville campus from 5th to 1st among 10 campuses, maintaining status as largest on-ground campus in system since 2023.
- Assumed the additional role of Dean at the Nashville campus and improved student graduation rates to 72% across all programs, +10% over the previous year and +22% over the required benchmark.
- Rolled out additional dental certification courses in Nashville, completing TN Board of Dentistry applications and appearing in front of the board as a condition of final approval.
- Developed and launched 3 new programs in Nashville over 5 years, including 1 Bachelor level and 2 diploma level, by writing curriculum, navigating accreditation, managing lab construction, and establishing tuition and marketing strategies.
- Led campus through two ACCSC visits, drafting self study documents/exhibits and preparing the campus for all areas of the on site review. Campus had zero compliance findings across all areas of the review other than outcomes issues known before the on site visit.
- Managed graduate and employment rates in Nashville, having 0 programs lost to outcomes in the last 5 years. Identified challenges, created plans and kept consistent documentation to get the Dental Assisting program off reporting with ACCSC, turning in graduate and employment rates above benchmark for the last 3 reporting years.
- Led a staff of 40-45 team members, recruiting, retaining, and training them in alignment with multiple accreditation requirements.
- Ensured campus adherence to department of education policies regarding safety, drug and alcohol prevention, handling of sexual harassment claims, and regulatory compliance tied to title IV funding eligibility.
- Strengthened community partnerships, expanding visibility and supporting workforce development goals.
- Managed campus budgets, controlling resources while supporting instructional and administrative priorities.
Campus Director
American National University
Charlottesville
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Managed all operations at the campus, including staff and faculty management, accounting, financial aid, facilities, P&L management, admissions, career services, and compliance.
- Led admissions team to increase student population by 25% in 6 months, ranking 5th among 25 campuses, many of which were in larger markets.
- Secured 63% graduation rate and 73% placement rate across all programs, surpassing benchmarks set by accrediting body.
Director of Admissions
L’Ecole Culinaire
Memphis
11.2014 - 01.2016
- Increased enrollment by 10% through targeted recruitment strategies and enhanced outreach efforts.
- Designed and implemented training programs for phone calls, interviews, time management, and objection handling to improve overall efficiency.
- Re-imagined Open House and Orientation formats to improve student recruitment and showcase campus effectively.
Admissions Service Manager
L’Ecole Culinaire
Memphis
05.2011 - 10.2014
- Consistently led Admissions team in enrollments, starts and graduates for 3 ½ years.
- Initiated enrollment of 151 new students in 2013
- Achieved enrollment of 45% of student population as part of 3-4 person admissions team.
Director of Admissions
Le Cordon Bleu
Los Angeles
09.2008 - 09.2010
- Transitioned to sole Admissions Manager at satellite campus, writing business and managing team of 5 Admissions Representatives.
- Led team of 11 representatives, achieving 256 starts (+20 to budget) during first 3 intakes of 2010.
- Managed team of 15 representatives, delivering 289 starts (+10 to budget) in July and August of 2010.
- Through a transition, gained the responsibility of the only Admissions Manager at a satellite campus. Continued to write business while managing a team of 5 Admissions Representatives.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
School of Communication
Memphis01-2003
Skills
- Enrollment strategies
- Retention strategies
- Accreditation management
- Data decision-making
- Performance assessment
- Staff supervision
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Diversity initiatives
- Remote education
- Collaborative Problem-solving
- Ethics and integrity
Affiliations
Board Member - YMCA of Middle Tennessee
2023-2025
Timeline
Campus President/Dean
Remington College
01.2018 - Current
Campus Director
American National University
01.2016 - 01.2018
Director of Admissions
L’Ecole Culinaire
11.2014 - 01.2016
Admissions Service Manager
L’Ecole Culinaire
05.2011 - 10.2014
Director of Admissions
Le Cordon Bleu
09.2008 - 09.2010
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
School of Communication
Section name
- References available upon request