Haasl Named WT’s New Vice Provost for Enrollment Management

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Effective today, Dr. Rick Haasl, a 20-year veteran of West Texas A&M University, is the University’s new vice provost for enrollment management.

Haasl, previously the associate dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and an assistant professor of sports and exercise science, will work under the umbrella of WT’s Division of Academic Affairs to more closely align enrollment and admissions with the University’s academic programs.

“Higher education enrollment continues to be a challenge across the country,” WT President Walter V. Wendler said. “WT has experienced a 10 percent decline in enrollment over the past several years. Therefore, we are rethinking how we do enrollment management.

“Students come to WT to study and receive degrees through one of our six Colleges or the Graduate School, so moving enrollment and admissions into the realm of academic affairs makes sense,” Wendler continued. “Rick will be working side by side with our academic deans to better focus our efforts in attracting students to attend WT.”

Navigating enrollment opportunities and challenges is a critical consideration in higher education at this time, said Dr. Neil Terry, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Rick will do an excellent job integrating Enrollment Management with WT’s academic mission, and he will work closely with the deans and a talented team of people working in the areas of recruiting, admissions and financial services to navigate our institutional efforts.”

Haasl’s team will include the recently promoted Sedrick Knowlton as executive director of recruitment and external relations, as well as Christina Cahillane, executive director of marketing; Dana Melcher, executive director of student financial services; and Virginia Leathers, executive director of admissions.

Haasl, a Dalhart native, joined WT in 2005 in the Department of Sports and Exercise Science. He earned a bachelor’s in health and physical education from Oklahoma Panhandle State University, a master’s in education from Northeastern State University, and a doctoral degree in higher education leadership from Texas Tech University.

“Moving to Enrollment Management is a challenge and opportunity to positively and permanently impact a place I love,” Haasl said. “We all know how vital a strong enrollment is to every area on campus. As a division, we are excited to serve our campus community by recruiting students who will positively impact WT.”

Haasl brings a track record of strong leadership and teambuilding to his new role.

“Enrollment management is a team sport, and we will intentionally create a team culture both within our division and across campus,” said Haasl, who previously worked as an instructor, administrator and football coach at five different universities. “Then, we will commit to the process and hard work required to recruit high-quality students to WT.”

Recruiting, retaining and rewarding the best students is a key mission of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $165 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: Dr. Rick Haasl, center, is West Texas A&M University's new vice provost for enrollment management. His executive team includes, from left, Virginia Leathers, executive director of admissions; Dana Melcher, executive director of student financial services; Christina Cahillane, executive director of marketing; and Sedrick Knowlton as executive director of recruitment and external relations.

—WT—