DBJ: In face of pandemic, Wright State University hires chief recruitment officer

Excerpt

As chief recruitment and admissions officer, Robert Durkle will play a pivotal role in the execution of Wright State’s recruitment, retention, and relationships strategies.

One of the Dayton region’s largest universities has added a key position.

Wright State University has hired Robert Durkle as its new chief recruitment and admissions officer, effective June 1.

Durkle has held leadership positions in admissions, recruitment, and financial aid at the University of Dayton throughout his 40-year career. He currently is associate vice president of enrollment management and dean of admission and financial aid.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Wright State faces reductions in vital state funding and a decline in student enrollment. Although Wright State expects to have to make more difficult changes to university operations, the school also continues to invest in recruiting more students, especially those from the local direct from high school, transfer and unemployed sectors.

“Now more than ever, our strategies of recruitment, retention and relationships are vital for the future of our university,” said Susan Edwards, Wright State president.

Durkle will report to Edwards as a member of the senior leadership team. He will focus on executing a strategic recruitment plan that builds relationships throughout Raider Country. He also will oversee undergraduate recruitment, admissions, financial aid and the office of marketing, among others.

Durkle is a lifelong Dayton-area resident with four decades of higher education experience in the area.

“He knows Raider Country,” Edwards said. “Through many initiatives he has created in the region, he has a clear understanding of the needs of our students and their families, and embraces the important role Wright State plays in supporting our community and state.

Durkle also has strong connections to Wright State. His oldest daughter is a graduate of its nursing program and his father, Fred Durkle, finished his career at the Wright State Nutter Center.

He has a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Dayton.

With nearly 14,000 students, Wright State is the third largest college or university in the Dayton region, according to DBJ research.

View the original story at bizjournals.com