Linda Fossen has been named Associate Vice President/Dean of Enrollment for Eastern Kentucky University.

Fossen, who has served as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at the University of Texas Brownsville and Texas Southmost College since 2002, will join EKU on Sept. 1.

“Student success is one of our priorities at Eastern,” said EKU President Doug Whitlock. “I have been very impressed with the fit between Ms. Fossen’s experience and philosophy and our needs and goals. She will be a great addition to our team.”

Fossen was one of four finalists selected by the search committee, chaired by Dr. Jaleh Rezaie, Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Research, to visit campus for interviews and public forums.

“Ms. Fossen shares EKU’s commitment to promoting a sense of community and a culture of pride and professionalism while advancing the University’s mission,” said Dr. James Conneely, Associate Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs. “She brings with her a wealth of postsecondary administrative and teaching experience that will help us advance in our recruitment and retention efforts to reach new levels of excellence.”

Prior to her most recent position, Fossen was Vice President for Student Services and Student Success at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, Wash., and Vice President for Student Services at Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore. She also served as director of Admissions and Records at Central Wyoming College and Director of Student Services and Registrar/Director of Admissions for Montana State University-Northern.

Before entering the administrative side of education, Fossen taught English and coached drama, basketball and track at the middle and high school levels. She earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education and her master’s degree in career guidance and counseling from Montana State University-Northern and received her public school superintendent certification from the University of Montana. She also completed classes in higher education administration at the University of Oregon.

In addition, she has written and administered numerous grants, received a number of awards, served as a consultant and spoken at many professional conferences, and been very involved in community and civic activities.

“I am delighted to be joining the EKU team,” said Fossen. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, and administrators as well as community members to provide quality learning in a caring environment for students. During my interview process I was awed by the commitment of the internal and external communities to student success. I am impressed with the friendliness, quality, and educational centeredness of EKU. I am looking forward to living in Richmond.”

As Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at UTB/TSC, Fossen initiated an advisory committee to improve the recruitment and retention students, created a process for developing and assessing Enrollment Management’s goals and objectives and facilitated focus groups and surveys to solicit input from students and staff to improve services. Between 2002 and 2008, enrollment at UTB/TSC increased 72 percent and dual enrollment went from 2,012 students in the Fall of 2005 to 6,195 students in Fall 2008.