Former Temple University enrollment director appointed to a position at Rutgers University.

Jose A. Aviles, who recently stepped down as the head of enrollment at Temple University, has been appointed to a key administrative position at Rutgers University. He will assume the role of Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at the state’s flagship institution in New Jersey.

His selection comes at a time when Rutgers is focused on enhancing its enrollment strategies and improving student success metrics. The university expressed confidence in Aviles’ capabilities, stating that his commitment to evidence-based and student-centered leadership is crucial for strengthening recruitment efforts, increasing access, and fostering better educational outcomes for students.

Prior to joining Rutgers, Aviles held a leadership position at Temple University, where he served as Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success for approximately two and a half years. During his tenure, which began in 2023, Aviles transitioned from a vice provost to a vice president, emphasizing modernization in enrollment management through technology and data-driven methodologies. Under his guidance, Temple achieved notable successes, including a significant uptick in first-year enrollment over the past two years, culminating in a record high of 5,379 first-year students this year.

Aviles’ background also includes an extensive term at Louisiana State University, where he spent about six years before his time at Temple. This experience includes a professional connection with William F. Tate IV, the current president of Rutgers, who previously led LSU until his recent appointment.

During his leadership at Temple, Aviles introduced several initiatives aimed at accessibility and student assistance, including the Temple Promise program, which offers free tuition for first-time, full-time college students from low-income families residing in Philadelphia. He also launched the Temple Future Scholars program, designed to provide mentorship and prepare students for higher education.

Despite the successes in new student enrollment, Temple faced challenges, falling short of its overall enrollment goals. A projection estimated that the institution would welcome between 30,100 and 30,300 students, marking the first enrollment increase since 2017. However, actual enrollment totaled 29,503, resulting in a shortfall of approximately 700 students and an estimated loss of million in revenue. Concerns regarding sophomore retention rates and an increased number of students opting not to return for their third and fourth years will also require attention in the coming periods.

As Aviles transitions to his new role at Rutgers, the university anticipates that his extensive experience will be instrumental in addressing these challenges and enhancing the overall educational environment for its students. Media News Source.