Mahogany Morrison
621 E 2nd St, Redwood Falls,MN
Summary
High-level professional administrator with a proven track record of excellence for over 15 years within the MinnState System at both 2-year and 4-year institutions within all aspects of student enrollment and academic affairs. Professional experience includes management of domestic and international undergraduate and graduate admissions, enrollment,registration, student advising, recruitment, collaborative problem-solving, enhancing student engagement, recruitment, and retention strategies. I have successfully implemented initiatives that improved enrollment outcomes, streamlined processes, improve staff training and boosted morale, and increase the sense of student and employee belonging demonstrating my commitment to excellence in higher education and student success. In all of my positions I have worked with a diverse workforce including serving students of color, 1st generation students, indigenous students, low-income students, students with varied abilities, and other under-represented and under-served populations.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Admissions, Engagement, and Retention
Northland Community and Technical College
06.2025 - 12.2025
- Provided supervision and direction of the college-wide domestic and international admissions, registration, engagement, and retention processes including being the College appointed DSO/PDSO.
- Planned, implemented, managed, and directed all admissions and registration functions to ensure prospect to student successful navigation throughout the MinnState enrollment funnel.
- Improved application processing by streamlining communication between departments and implementing a new tracking system.
- Developed and implemented strategic recruitment initiatives to enhance enrollment diversity.
- Analyzed admissions data to identify trends and improve decision-making processes, outreach, and recruitment strategies to increase application rates.
- Collaborated with academic departments to align international and domestic admissions criteria with institutional goals.
- Director of Student Life, Student Senate, and student life activity and events coordinator to enhance student engagement and retention efforts.
- Coordinated orientation events for new students, fostering connections among peers and acclimating them to the campus environment before classes began.
- Implemented project management techniques to overcome obstacles and increase team productivity.
- Developed and monitored multiple departmental budgets to ensure admissions, enrollment, and student engagement needs of the college were met in alignment with strategic and long-range goals.
- Maintained compliance with federal regulations governing higher educations institutions while upholding rigorous ethical standards in all aspects of work responsibilities.
TRIO Academic Coordinator/Advisor
Southwest Minnesota State University
01.2024 - 06.2025
- Completed summative evaluations related to student development components including meeting regularly with program participants to develop strategies to improve academic performance, monitoring progress towards individual goals, and modifying academic plans as needed.
- Advised program participants in understanding and utilizing career, academic, and financial information and offering financial literacy, FAFSA, and scholarship completion assistance.
- Developed and maintained student support resources to enhance academic success and planned cultural and educational student engagement activities.
- Assisted in organizing orientation events, recruitment activities, and participant recognition events.
- Represented needs and interests of program participants through involvement in professional development activities, staff trainings sessions, and college, state, and national TRIO events
Graduate Admissions Supv & Comm Admin.
St. Cloud State University
11.2022 - 01.2024
- Supervised daily domestic and international graduate student admissions operations to ensure compliance with institutional policies and procedures and efficient processing of applications and inquiries.
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff.
- Developed and implemented training materials for new staff members to enhance onboarding experience.
- Monitored compliance with admissions policies and procedures, ensuring accuracy in application reviews.
- Collaborated with academic departments to streamline communication regarding program requirements and applicant qualifications.
- Collaborated with campus partners (Undergraduate Admissions, Records & Registration, Advising, Center for International Studies, business Office) to resolve student issues and promote academic success.
- Implemented streamlined processes to enhance application review efficiency and accuracy.
- Trained and mentored staff on best practices in student recruitment and retention strategies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop outreach initiatives targeting prospective students.
- Continuously sought opportunities for professional development and shared insights with colleagues, promoting a culture of continuous improvement within the admissions office.
- Handled escalated concerns or disputes related to the admissions process, working diligently to reach satisfactory resolutions for all parties involved.
- Improved office operations by automating client correspondence, record tracking and data communications.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Interim Adminstrative Director
St. Cloud State University
03.2022 - 05.2022
- Provided comprehensive budgetary oversight for multiple departmental cost centers in excess of $30M aligning departmental goals with organizational objectives.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to identify opportunities for process improvements and cost reductions.
- Evaluated program effectiveness working closely with Department Chairs and Program Directors to make recommendations and adjustments to optimize outcomes and resource allocation in alignment with the School's fiscal guidelines.
- Coordinated and developed faculty class and work assignments.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the School of Health & Wellness.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Coordinated recruitment events, graduation, pinning, and student recognition and celebrations.
Student Success Ctr Manager/Asst to Dean SOPA
St. Cloud State University
07.2019 - 05.2022
- Led operational initiatives to enhance student engagement and satisfaction within center programs.
- Developed strategic partnerships with campus departments to expand service offerings and resources.
- Mentored staff, fostering a collaborative environment that improved team performance and morale.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined operations and enhanced service delivery efficiency.
- Managed budgets and resources effectively, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and priorities.
- Oversaw event logistics, ensuring seamless execution of activities that supported student success initiatives.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork through effective leadership, open communication channels, and regular team-building activities.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Worked closely with Dean, HR, and Office of Academic Affairs to facilitate faculty tenure requests, promotion, management of PDR and PDP Evaluations, and Change of Personnel Status.
- Provided comprehensive budgetary oversight for multiple departmental cost center accounts exceeding $8M, including faculty professional development accounts, foundation accounts, internal student/faculty grants, general operations, and scholarship accounts.
Grant Director and Asst. to Dean SHHS
St. Cloud State University
11.2018 - 07.2020
- Provided comprehensive budgetary oversight for mutliple departmental cost centers in excess of $10M including faculty professional development accounts, foundations accounts, internal student/faculty grants, and scholarship accounts.
- Led cross-functional teams to streamline project execution and enhance collaboration across departments.
- Supported and served students, faculty, advisors, and administrators to create, implement, and interpret academic and departmental policy and procedures.
- Developed strategic initiatives to improve operational efficiency and drive organizational growth.
- Provided Supervision and leadership in hiring, evaluating, and training of student workers,
- Mentored junior staff, fostering skill development and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
- Provided student advising, personal goal setting, and professional mentorship.
- Managed all aspects of SUSTAIN Student Emergency Resource Grant.
MnAMP Grant Project Coordinator/Grant Mgr
Ridgewater College
03.2016 - 09.2018
- Administered $1.6M Dept of Labor Minnesota Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Project Grant.
- Led multi-campus teams in executing operational strategies, enhancing workflow efficiency across departments.
- Developed and implemented training programs and ABE Math Bridge Programs, improving student and staff performance and knowledge retention,
- Facilitated project management: Monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting and budgetary oversight.
- Established queries, analyzed and reconciled data, and balanced budgetary grant accounts.
- Advised students regarding graduation and matriculation requirements including general education, liberal studies, upper and lower division credits, and residency requirements
- Advised students on Pathways to Education, Credentials, Employment, and Creative Learning Strategies at the College, including Prior Learning and Internships and understanding of assessment of student learning and outcomes.
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to improve process efficiencies.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to review and develop appropriate curriculum and perform academic evaluations for Credit for Prior Learning to align with programmatic and organizational objectives.
- Facilitated training sessions on best practices and operational standards for staff.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Enhanced communication channels between departments, improving collaboration and information sharing.
- Created, edited, and produced printed and online marketing materials and outreach marketing campaigns compliant with College branding standards.
- Recruitment of indigenous, students of color, first generation, low-income, and other at-risk and under-represented student populations.
- Coordinated project timelines, aligning resources with organizational goals for timely delivery.
- Conducted regular assessments of team performance, driving accountability and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Managed budget allocations to prioritize spending on high-impact projects, optimizing resource utilization.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
Advising & Faculty Support
Metropolitan State University
01.2015 - 03.2016
- Interpreted staff concerns and provided support to faculty and advisor in responding to policy and procedural questions and referral to University programs and /or resources.
- Advised students of Creative Learning Strategies at the University including Student Directed/Faculty Directed Designed Independent Study, Prior Learning, Internships, and assessment of student learning.
- Advised students of graduation and matriculation requirements, general education, liberal studies, upper and lower division credits, and residency requirements at Metro State University.
- Facilitated all aspects of correspondence Prison Education program for relevant programs in School.
- Supported admissions event planning and execution.
- Provided grant management, grant writing, documentation review and report generation.
- Experienced with diverse pedagogical and technological educational delivery methods and IT setup.
Education
Ph EdD, ABD - Higher Education Administration
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MN05.2026
Masters of Profit And Non-Profit Administration -
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN12-2015
BA Legal & Corrections Studies/Pers/Bus Dev Coach -
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN05-2014
Skills
- MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher,) ISRS, Outlook, Image Now/Perceptive Content, Visio, Hobsons, D2L, Transferology, U-Achieve/DARS, ARSA, WorkDay, FWM, SalesForce, Navigate, Terra Dotta
- SEVIS System - DSO/PDSO Designation
- FERPA data privacy policies
- Minnesota State policies and regulations
- Supervised AFSCME, MAPE, and student worker staff
Accomplishments
- 15-year Minnesota State progressive leadership positions
- Consensus builder and excellent communicator
- Experienced at both 2-yr and 4-yr MinnState institutions
- Ability to work well individually and in team environment
- Internal and external community engagement
- Ability to successfully lead and motivate teams
- Trained on TItle IX and MinnState Investigative Procedures
Affiliations
- MAFAA - Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Admin.
- AAUW - American Association of University Women
- COE - Council of Opportunity in Education
- LeadMN - Minnesota State College Student Association
Languages
French
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director of Admissions, Engagement, and Retention
Northland Community and Technical College
06.2025 - 12.2025
TRIO Academic Coordinator/Advisor
Southwest Minnesota State University
01.2024 - 06.2025
Graduate Admissions Supv & Comm Admin.
St. Cloud State University
11.2022 - 01.2024
Interim Adminstrative Director
St. Cloud State University
03.2022 - 05.2022
Student Success Ctr Manager/Asst to Dean SOPA
St. Cloud State University
07.2019 - 05.2022
Grant Director and Asst. to Dean SHHS
St. Cloud State University
11.2018 - 07.2020
MnAMP Grant Project Coordinator/Grant Mgr
Ridgewater College
03.2016 - 09.2018
Advising & Faculty Support
Metropolitan State University
01.2015 - 03.2016
Ph EdD, ABD - Higher Education Administration
St. Cloud State University
Masters of Profit And Non-Profit Administration -
Metropolitan State University
BA Legal & Corrections Studies/Pers/Bus Dev Coach -
Metropolitan State University