Luisa M. Havens Gerardo’s leadership is expected to have a transformative impact on the university’s recruitment and retention efforts, promising a brighter future for UTA.
Luisa M. Havens Gerardo’s leadership is expected to have a transformative impact on the university’s recruitment and retention efforts, promising a brighter future for UTA.
The University of Texas (UTA) at Arlington’s recent selection of Luisa M. Havens Gerardo as its next vice president for enrollment management marks a significant milestone for the institution.
Havens Gerardo, currently the vice provost for enrollment management at Virginia Tech, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role, which is set to begin on Jan. 15, 2024.
This appointment has generated considerable anticipation and optimism within UTA, with Tamara L. Brown, UTA provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, expressing her confidence in Havens Gerardo’s strategic vision and expertise.
According to Brown, Havens Gerardo’s leadership is expected to have a transformative impact on the university’s recruitment and retention efforts, promising a brighter future for UTA.
Havens Gerardo’s track record at Virginia Tech speaks to her capability in this pivotal role. During her tenure, she played a crucial role in steering the university toward the consistent achievement of strategic enrollment, affordability, and student success goals.
Her responsibilities encompassed a broad spectrum of areas, including undergraduate admissions, scholarships, financial aid, registration and records, pre-college programs, and enrollment planning for professionally oriented graduate programs.
One of her standout contributions was her data and analytics-informed approach, which played a fundamental role in shaping Virginia Tech’s enrollment and financial aid strategies. This data-driven approach enabled the university to attract and retain a diverse student body, including those who are traditionally underrepresented and underserved in higher education—a commendable achievement.
Havens Gerardo’s impact extended beyond data analysis. She was also instrumental in the development and implementation of innovative recruitment strategies. These strategies focused on segmentation, brand marketing, and strategic communication initiatives aimed at expanding the university’s reach to a diverse set of students, whether they hailed from in-state, out-of-state, or international markets.
In her own words, Havens Gerardo’s vision for UTA is clear: to lead with innovation and data-informed strategies that position the university as an attractive choice for the best and brightest students. She emphasizes the values of inclusivity, diversity, and academic excellence as the pillars for success on campus and in life.
Importantly, Havens Gerardo is not new to the higher education landscape in Texas. She previously served as vice president of enrollment management and services at Florida International University and held various executive roles in enrollment, admissions, and recruitment at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Additionally, she served as registrar at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Her diverse experience in Texas institutions further reinforces her suitability for her new role at UTA.
Havens Gerardo’s educational background is equally impressive. She holds a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Idaho, where her dissertation focused on at-risk student persistence. Her master’s degree in resource recreation and tourism, with an emphasis on communications, and her bachelor’s degree in telecommunication with a minor in natural resource communication, both from the University of Idaho, reflect her interdisciplinary approach to education.
Notably, she also holds a degree in elementary school teaching from Escuela Normal Mixta “Pedro Nufio” in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
As she assumes her position at UTA, Havens Gerardo will lead the enrollment management efforts of an institution that has experienced consistent growth in its first-time-in-college student population. Fall 2023 saw a record enrollment of 4,809 first-time college students, an increase of over eight percent compared to the previous year.
UTA’s diverse student body represents more than 100 countries and all states in the nation, with notable enrollment gains in the College of Engineering and the College of Science.
Luisa M. Havens Gerardo’s appointment as the next vice president for enrollment management at the University of Texas at Arlington is a momentous development for the institution. Her extensive experience, data-driven approach, and commitment to diversity and inclusivity make her a formidable leader in the field of enrollment management.
As she takes on this role, there is a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement about the positive impact she will have on UTA’s future.
