The University of the Virgin Islands has appointed Dr. Nicole Gibbs to the post of Vice Provost for Access and Enrollment Services. Dr. Gibbs will oversee the administration of the offices of the Registrar, Admissions, Financial Aid and Recruitment. She will work with other University committees to promote the recruitment and retention of students, and to develop strategies for University-wide involvement in recruitment and retention initiatives. She began on Oct. 1.
“Dr. Gibbs brings a wealth of experience to the University,” said UVI President Dr. David Hall. She comes to UVI from Broward College, in Florida, where she served as associate dean for Student Affairs. Broward has 67,000 students on three campuses. Dr. Gibbs had oversight of admissions, recruitment, placement testing, orientation and retention. Her focus was on improved customer service of the department, while providing leadership and management oversight.
“UVI is pleased to have attracted Dr. Gibbs to our team,” said UVI Interim Provost Dr. Camille McKayle. “She has worked in a variety of settings, and will be able to draw on her prior experiences with student affairs and student support services to work across university units to integrate the recruitment and enrollment efforts throughout the institution.”
“I want to effectively position the University of the Virgin Islands to become a first choice for students,” said Dr. Gibbs of her new position. “UVI is a phenomenal institution with incredible potential for growth.” Dr. Gibbs plans to restructure UVI’s Access and Enrollment Services offices and its employees. Her primary goal is to improve customer service. “Access and Enrollment Services is the face of the institution,” said Dr. Gibbs. “When students and parents come they come expecting a certain experience. Under my leadership, I’d like to take the unit to a place of exceptional customer service where students receive an optimal experience.” She continued, “We are hoping to provide students with an experience that is unforgettable where they then say ‘Wow! If this is my first impression I’m so excited to become part of the family at UVI.’”
She also plans to establish collaborative relationships that will make recruitment and retention a University-wide initiative. “Retention and the nurturing of our students is everyone’s job,” said Dr. Gibbs. “It is important that everyone from the young ladies who serve our students in the cafeteria, to the vice presidents that are responsible for the leadership of the institution, to the grounds keepers that we really do develop a culture of nurture for our students.”
In accordance with UVI’s Strategic Plan, Dr. Gibbs’ long-term goal for the institution is to grow the University’s population to 3,000 by 2017. She is optimistic that this can be accomplished with the support of the UVI family, the Virgin Islands community and with students that tell their success stories. “My goal is to expand the reach of the University, to transition a good place into making it a great place for students.”
Dr. Gibbs has served as associate director of Admissions for Ross University, and assistant director of Admissions and Recruitment at Georgia State University, where she was part of the implementation of a successful plan for increased enrollment. She earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Clark Atlanta University, a Masters of Education from Columbus State University, and a Bachelors of Science in psychology from Georgia Southern University.
The vice provost for Access and Enrollment Services position was previously held by Dr. Judith Edwin, who retired from UVI on May 10. Dr. Edwin served as vice provost for approximately seven years, but held various positions at UVI for approximately 17 years.