Paul Carney selected to oversee enrollment management at Wright State on interim basis

Paul Carney has served in high administrative positions at the University of Dallas, the University of Notre Dame, and Oklahoma State University.

Paul Carney, a highly experienced specialist in enrollment management, has been selected to oversee enrollment management at Wright State University on an interim basis.

Carney will replace Mary Ellen Ashley, who is retiring as vice president of enrollment management on Oct. 3.

“This is a critical-need position,” said Susan Edwards, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Nationwide, many universities are seeing declines in enrollment and Wright State is not immune from that. We have to be innovative in how we seek out new students to join us here at Wright State so they can be part of that transformational educational experience we provide.”

Carney, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, has worked in higher education since 1978 before retiring. He has served in high administrative positions at the University of Dallas, the University of Notre Dame, and Oklahoma State University. Most recently he has worked for Drury University in Springfield, Missouri; Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri; and St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

“Dr. Carney is highly experienced and qualified,” said Edwards. “He has a strong background in institutional research as well as enrollment management, providing strength in the area of data analytics, along with his experience in enrollment strategy development. This combination will provide a great foundation for the creation of a comprehensive enrollment management plan for the university.”

Carney was among three candidates presented to Wright State by The Registry for College and University Presidents, which connects schools with experienced and talented higher education professionals. The three candidates came to campus and met with college deans, staff and other top administration officials.

Carney obtained his bachelor’s degree in history at Kansas Newman College in Wichita, Kansas. He earned his masters degree in educational measurement and testing from Wichita State University and his Ph.D. in institutional research from Florida State University.

Carney served as director of enrollment management at the University of Dallas, associate director for undergraduate admissions at Notre Dame, director of undergraduate admissions at Oklahoma State, and vice president for enrollment management at Drury University and at Webster University. At Drury, he led an effort that enrolled the largest number of new freshmen and new transfer students in school history.

Carney and his wife, Eileen, a theology professor at St. Gregory’s have two grown sons, Greg and Kevin.

Ashley came to Wright State in 2015 from California State University-Monterey. While at Wright State, she oversaw the growth of Wright State’s College Credit Plus program, created sophomore and junior recruitment plans, initiated the use of the Enrollment RX Customer Relationship Management System for recruiting, created the RN-BSN Premier Health Scholarship Program, and collaborated with the colleges and divisions to develop strategic enrollment planning.

“Mary Ellen has dedicated herself to enrollment management and worked hard for the benefit of students,” said Edwards. “We wish her the best in her retirement.”