Request Dr. Sherry Wells as a speaker
Sherry Wells, Ed.D. is associate faculty in the doctoral studies department of the University of Phoenix. In 2023 she retired from Lamar University after serving as the inaugural Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management and subsequently as the Assistant Vice Provost for Digital Learning. Prior to establishing the enrollment management division at Lamar University, Dr. Wells served as Registrar at two public universities and one technical institute. She also has over two decades of classroom experience teaching undergraduate courses in communications, student success, interest group seminars and learning communities.
As a first-generation college student, Dr. Wells has a good understanding of challenges many students face as they embark on a journey of higher education. She believes in a holistic approach which serves her well in not only student success but also as a certified long term care ombudsman. Dr. Wells is an experienced public speaker and team builder who earned Bachelor of Arts, Master of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Doctor of Education degrees as well as a graduate certificate in organizational communication.
Selected Career Achievements:
Organization: Created an enrollment management division for a four-year public institution. Built a sense of collaboration and team focused initiatives across departments and disciplines. Achieved record enrollment with raised admission standards under my leadership.
Teaching and Student Success: Provided instruction as an adjunct faculty member in university courses for over two decades. Record enrollment and increased retention of at-risk students occurred during my tenure as the leader of student success initiatives.
Leadership: Led all operations of the division of strategic enrollment management including:
recruitment, admissions, new student orientation/week of welcome, financial aid and scholarships, records and registrar, veteran’s services, undergraduate advising center, student tutoring and retention services, disabilities resource center, academic services, career and testing center, university success seminar, community outreach, and McNair scholars’ program.
Led the learning technology implementation and support for the Learning Management System (Blackboard) and associated software, instructional design and quality matters review of online courses, online student advising, and state authorization compliance.
Communication: Created and implemented a recruitment communication flow to prospective students. Articles published in professional peer-reviewed journals. Presented a variety of sessions at professional meetings and staff development trainings.
System Implementation: Led implementation teams for three student information systems, degree audit systems at two universities, multiple learning technology software packages, a syllabus content management system, and a customer relations management system. All implementations were successful and completed on time or ahead of schedule.
Selected Publications & Recognitions:
2023 recognized as an Admission Expert by The National Academy of Public Administration in “Assessment of Coast Guard Academy Admission Processes” submitted to the United States Congress.
2022 published “An Interview with College Board’s David Coleman and Priscilla Rodriguez” in College and University, volume 97, number 2.
2019 published “Field Notes: Crisis Communication on Campus”, “Student Digital Experience: Making Sense of the Mess”, and “FERPA and Digital Education” in AACRAO Connect.
In addition to professional activities, she lives in southeast Texas where she volunteers in her community, serves as a director of her Rotary club, dotes on her grandchildren, spoils her dogs, and takes cruises any chance she gets.
An Interview with David Coleman and Priscilla Rodriguez