Dr. James Steen is vice president for enrollment management at Houston Christian University, where he reports to the president on a wide range of admissions, recruiting, marketing and web services, financial aid, and other enrollment issues.
Under his leadership, freshman enrollment at Houston Christian University more than doubled, from 268 in fall 2006 to 770 in fall 2021. Interest and demand for HCU are both on the rise as freshman applications are up 2000% and undergraduate enrollment has increased by 33%. During that period, Steen and the enrollment management team have enhanced enrollment functions such as communication flow, strategic funnel management, campus visit programs, and the orientation and registration process. They have also created an admissions review board, implemented a scholarship and financial aid packaging model, and established numerous student search and enrollment marketing initiatives.
In 2008, Dr. Steen oversaw the creation of a student success center model for the institution that included an early alert program, learning cohorts for incoming freshmen that are anchored by a freshman year seminar course, service quality initiatives, and a learning center for academic support and other student services.
Dr. Steen is also a senior associate consultant with Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL) working with other campuses to improve their admissions, recruitment, and enrollment marketing efforts. Previously, Steen served as assistant vice president for admission and enrollment services at Baylor University. His efforts at Baylor helped the university realize a 21 percent increase in new freshman enrollment over five years, which also included a 10.5 percent increase in students of color and a 26 point increase in the mean SAT.
Dr. Steen has served as president of the National Association of Baptist Enrollment Professionals and on the Chief Enrollment Officers Commission for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. He is currently serving on the enrollment advisory council for EAB. Additionally, he has a doctoral certification for strengths-oriented higher education as well as certifications in 7 Habits and DiSC facilitation. While serving at Baylor University, Steen received the 2006 Marketing and Recruitment Excellence Award from RNL in recognition of exemplary programs, services and strategies that impact enrollment. In 2007, The Chronicle of Higher Education named Dr. Steen to its list of 10 Admissions Deans Who Are Shaping Their Field.
He holds a PhD in higher education from Azusa Pacific University and an MBA and BA from Baylor University.