Jeff Salyer

About Jeff Salyer

I’m a higher education executive with a passion for building things that matter — teams, strategies, partnerships, stories, and experiences. As Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Lee University, I lead integrated efforts across admissions, financial aid, marketing, and communications to shape the student journey from first impression to lifelong engagement.With more than 25 years of experience in branding, creative direction, and institutional strategy, I’ve worked at the intersection of storytelling and leadership to help organizations grow with integrity and vision. My work has spanned everything from reversing multi-year enrollment declines to launching award-winning creative campaigns, to reimagining physical spaces that shape how students experience a campus.I believe in clear strategy, kind leadership, good design, and doing hard things with consistency and heart.

Experience

1. Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing

   Lee University

   Nov 2024 — Present · Cleveland, TN, US

   Executive Oversight: Provide strategic leadership over university-wide enrollment functions, including undergraduate, graduate, and online admissions, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and market demands. Integrated Enrollment Strategy: Oversee end-to-end enrollment management including admissions, financial aid, and CRM systems, driving data-informed recruitment, retention, and financial aid optimization. Strategic Partnerships: Cultivate and manage corporate and church partnerships to expand recruitment pipelines and enhance brand visibility in mission-aligned communities. Marketing and Communications Leadership: Direct all marketing and communications functions, including digital, print, brand, public relations, photography, video production, and creative services to unify messaging and strengthen market position. Cross-Channel Campaign Management: Spearhead integrated marketing campaigns across email, web, social, and traditional channels to support enrollment targets, enhance engagement, and reinforce brand consistency. Brand Alignment: Ensure all messaging and creative output aligns with institutional identity and values, championing a unified and strategic brand voice across all internal and external touchpoints. Team Leadership: Lead a multi-disciplinary team across enrollment and marketing operations, fostering a culture of cross-functional collaboration, accountability, and innovation to drive departmental and institutional success. Campus Experience Innovation: Spearheaded the redesign and implementation of a fully updated campus Welcome Center and envisioned the transformation of the university’s administration building into a one-stop shop for prospective students, strategically enhancing the campus visit experience and elevating first impressions of the institution.

Education

• Oliver Springs High School

  Honors Diploma

  1994 — 1997

• Regent University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Communication

  2009 — 2015

• Regent University

  M.A., Communication

  2006 — 2009

• Lee University

  B.A., Telecommunication

  1997 — 2001