Hartman looking to build ‘EMU brand’
At the end of his first semester as a vice president of enrollment at Eastern Mennonite University, Luke Hartman answered questions on why he feels passionately about his enrollment portfolio, a new position in the university’s leadership cabinet.
How has the enrollment process changed for students entering college since your undergraduate days in late 1980s and early 1990s?
The enrollment process in the 21-century has continued to become increasingly complex. The cost of higher education in both private and public colleges or universities has increased dramatically.
We are acutely aware of the price sensitivity, especially since the 2008 market crash, and are working hard to ensure that we continue to discount a student’s education appropriately and look very closely at the need of the family.
Recruitment has become more and more competitive. Many of the same kinds of colleges are recruiting the same kinds of students. It is important to make clear the distinctiveness of your particular institution to stand out from the others. The ethnic and cultural demographics of our nation are changing rapidly. EMU understands the responsibility it has to become even more equipped to be a diverse campus and continue to be intentional in its decision-making processes in order to meet the needs of students who are increasingly diverse.
A final part of the complexity of the enrollment process is attempting to determine the most appealing feature of the university to highlight to a 15- to 18-year-old high school student. Along with that is discovering what medium should be used to communicate with high school students. The age of social media is upon us, and we are working strategically to find the best mode of communication. Continue reading “Hartman looking to build ‘EMU brand’” »
Hartman named VP of enrollment at EMU
Harrisonburg educator Luke A. Hartman has been named vice president for enrollment at Eastern Mennonite University. He will assume his new role Aug. 1, 2011.
The appointment was announced Wednesday, Jan. 26, by EMU President Loren Swartzendruber.
In his new role, a president’s cabinet-level position, Hartman will oversee the departments of admissions and financial aid. He will also lead student retention activities for the university.
“I am very pleased that Luke is returning to his alma mater in this very important role,” Dr. Swartzendruber said. “His experience as a faculty member, success in recruiting as a coach and understanding of the admissions process will serve us well.”
Hartman has been assistant principal at Skyline Middle School in Harrisonburg since 2008. Before this, he was a behavioral consultant for Harrisonburg City Public Schools two years. He taught two years in EMU’s teacher education department and has also been a graduate instructor for EMU’s masters in education program in Harrisonburg and in Lancaster, Pa., since 2000.
Before returning to Harrisonburg, Hartman was associate director of admissions at Hesston College, 1999-2004, and men’s varsity basketball coach there, 1996-2004. He chaired the Hesston College faculty in 2001 and taught in the education department there eight years. He currently serves on the Hesston College board of overseers.
Earlier, he was boy’s varsity assistant coach at Harrisonburg High School, a special education teacher and boy’s varsity basketball coach at Broadway High School and head eighth grade basketball coach at John C. Myers Middle School, Broadway.
He earned an AA degree from Hesston College, a BS degree in liberal arts with endorsement in special education from EMU, an MEd degree from Wichita State University with emphasis in mild handicapping conditions and is currently completing a PhD program in educational leadership and policy studies at Virginia Tech.
Hartman is a popular public speaker at youth rallies, spiritual life week events and church retreats. He was keynote speaker for National Mennonite Youth Conventions held in 2003, 2005 and 2007. He has directed or been major lecturer at basketball camps and coaching clinics from 1991 to the present.
He is a member of Lindale Mennonite Church.
Hartman is married to Staci Kauffman Hartman, a 1993 EMU graduate. She is a reading coach at Spotswood Elementary School, Harrisonburg. Their children are Sarina, 16; Sophia, 13; and Sarah, 8.
Story by Jim Bishop. Jim can be reached at bishopj@emu.edu.
