Nathan Watson
O'Fallon
Summary
Dynamic enrollment management leader with a proven track record at Lindenwood University, achieving a 132% increase in fall enrollment. Expert in strategic planning and team leadership, I excel in data analysis and performance improvement, driving student engagement and retention through innovative initiatives and high-performing teams.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Enrollment Services
Lindenwood University
St. Charles
03.2022 - Current
- Led comprehensive enrollment services strategy for online first-year and transfer populations.
- Achieved year-over-year enrollment increases across multiple terms: fall ’22 (+132%), spring ’23 (+71%), summer ’23 (+21.7%).
- Scaled online enrollment from fewer than 1,000 to approximately 1,900 students while enhancing persistence by 12%.
- Developed strategic partnership team, tripling corporate partnerships and establishing two bridge agreements with local community college.
- Built high-performing enrollment teams through hiring, training, and implementing robust performance expectations.
- Introduced proactive retention model with intrusive advising and performance management framework.
- Launched student feedback mechanisms to gather insights and drive actionable improvements in student experience.
Associate Director of Admissions
ThriveDX
08.2021 - 02.2022
- Strategic recruitment leader for a start-up team of admissions representatives, specializing in technology, digital skills, and data-focused boot camp career programs representing major universities.
- Led a new team of 18 advisors to achieve top lead-to-enrollment rate in the company.
- Surpassed budget and conversion rate expectations consistently for multiple starts.
- Exceeded run rates through consistent and intentional coaching.
- Maintained top compliance score within admissions system.
Director of Adult Education
Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma
Tulsa
04.2020 - 08.2021
- Responsible for leading a robust adult education program, consisting of HiSET preparation and testing, English as a Second Language, and Digital Literacy.
- Increased program enrollment, increasing the number of graduates by 36% year over year.
- Developed an online curriculum and a blended learning model to adapt to COVID-19 context.
- Grew and managed a team of 40+ volunteers and staff.
- Certified as Chief Examiner.
- Provide direction and support to rural adult education sites.
- Actively marketed to and recruited new students significantly impacting program growth.
Executive Director of Student Success
National American University
10.2018 - 02.2020
- Provide leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of the university student support department to enhance student engagement and improve retention.
- Compiles key data, analyzing trends and outcomes towards the development of new approaches.
- Demonstrates listening, informing, organizing, collaboration, process management, planning, and making quality decisions with a robust staff to ensure goals are achieved and students are served in a time of organizational transition.
- Led a diverse academic support staff to improve key outcomes regarding student performance.
- Responsible for the full scope of student support operations.
- Increased term persistence by year-over-year by 10%.
- Developed online new student orientation to improve new entrants’ performance.
- Co-developed new Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and procedure.
Executive Campus Director
National American University
Tulsa
01.2016 - 10.2018
- Responsible for all aspects of campus operations, while reporting directly to the President and CEO.
- Led campus departments and other supervisory or support staff to ensure student satisfaction and success and achieved year-over-year campus growth.
- Built and maintained a cohesive team energized toward campus goals.
- Increased student retention and ensured admissions goals were exceeded in support of the mission of the university as defined by the university president and board of governors.
- Coordinated scheduling of quarterly course schedules and hired and maintained faculty.
- Led the campus staff to consistent top performance amongst all profit centers in a context of industry decline.
- Strategically developed and managed the campus fiscal budget to achieve target benchmarks.
- Through detailed data analysis discovered rectified variances to improve net income.
- Led the campus from significant annual operating loss to profitability.
- Responsible for staff recruitment (including onboarding/training) and retention, organizational compliance, and continual training.
- Received pillar of excellence award based on the quality of operations and a 95% positive customer satisfaction rating.
- Through community networking, developed articulation agreements with partner colleges and organizations.
- Given additional oversight for Garden City, Kansas campus requiring bi-weekly travel.
- Successfully navigated accreditation (ABHES & HLC) and financial audits, maintaining satisfactory compliance with regulatory authorities.
- Selected for and completed 9-month Leadership Development Program.
- Completed Disney Institute customer service training.
Director of Admissions
National American University
Lee’s Summit/Independence
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Successfully led and coached a team of admissions advisors to top regional performance.
- Cultivated a culture of comprehensive competitive buy-in to departmental and 'big picture' campus goals.
- Led the admissions team to long-term top regional performance for six terms of most students enrolled per admissions advisor.
- Invited by President of Campus Operations to present at Leadership Conference on driving results through fostering harmonious interdepartmental relationships.
- Received DOA of the Quarter, DOA Coach of the Quarter, and forecasting awards.
Admissions Advisor/Assistant Director of Admissions
National American University
Independence
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Excelled at advising and enrolling students quarter over quarter, surpassing university set expectations.
- Assisted the Director of Admissions in leading and mentoring the admissions team to top regional performance.
- Identified as a High Performer and invited to come to Central Administration for training insight.
- Consistently surpassed university expectations.
Administrative Assistant
Emmaus Road Family Office
Perrysburg
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Filled multiple roles including but not limited to the development of 501(c)(3) financial curriculum, maintained compliance with state and federal authorities, and maintenance of financial records.
- Assisted in the development of new marketing projects.
- Obtained Ohio State Life/Variable Insurance licenses.
- Maintained staff compliance and licensing.
Executive Director
Toledo Youth for Christ
Holland
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Responsible for management of the organization, including funding development and management.
- Grew social reach and presence within a limited organizational operating budget.
- Increased donor base as well as foundation-based gifting.
- Planned, organized, and executed multiple large-scale events each year.
- Increased local presence, added new staff, and built student-led outreach sites.
- Responsible for all aspects of organizational leadership including staff management, budgeting, payroll, and benefits.
- Added new donors via the development of community relationships.
- Added web presence and automated online donations.
Education
Ph.D. - Business Administration And Management
University of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, Kentucky, KY12-2027
M.B.A. -
National American University
01.2019
M.A. - Theological Studies with an emphasis in Biblical Languages
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
01.2005
Biblical Studies - with a Minor in Biblical Languagest
Central Bible College
01.2003
Skills
- Enrollment management
- Student engagement
- Team leadership
- Strategic planning
- Performance improvement
- Data analysis
- Digital marketing
- Online marketing
- Marketing strategy
- Analytical and critical thinking
Timeline
Vice President, Enrollment Services
Lindenwood University
03.2022 - Current
Associate Director of Admissions
ThriveDX
08.2021 - 02.2022
Director of Adult Education
Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma
04.2020 - 08.2021
Executive Director of Student Success
National American University
10.2018 - 02.2020
Executive Campus Director
National American University
01.2016 - 10.2018
Director of Admissions
National American University
01.2012 - 01.2014
Admissions Advisor/Assistant Director of Admissions
National American University
01.2011 - 01.2012
Administrative Assistant
Emmaus Road Family Office
01.2008 - 01.2010
Executive Director
Toledo Youth for Christ
01.2005 - 01.2008
Ph.D. - Business Administration And Management
University of The Cumberlands
M.B.A. -
National American University
M.A. - Theological Studies with an emphasis in Biblical Languages
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
Biblical Studies - with a Minor in Biblical Languagest
Central Bible College