Albion College Welcomes Madeleine Rhyneer as VP for Enrollment Management

Albion College has named a 34-year veteran in college admissions to lead its enrollment efforts. Madeleine Rhyneer, previously the vice president for admission and financial aid at Willamette University in Salem, Ore., will become Albion's vice president for enrollment management at the beginning of the fall 2012 semester.

"In addition to her deep experience in student recruitment and financial aid, Madeleine Rhyneer brings great expertise in strategic communication and marketing to this role at Albion," said President Donna Randall in announcing the appointment. "She is a results-oriented leader and has put together an impressive record of accomplishments in her previous positions—clearly demonstrating an exceptional ability to increase selectivity and diversity in admission for the institutions she has served."

Rhyneer will head the Offices of Admission and Financial Aid at Albion and work closely with the Office of Marketing and Communications to conduct market analysis and to develop student recruitment strategies, communications, and programming.

"I am delighted to join the Albion College community," Rhyneer said. "Everyone I met on campus is clearly dedicated to providing great support for student intellectual and personal development. I am particularly impressed with Albion's demonstrable commitment to connecting a liberal arts education (which is strong preparation for the world of work) with practical internships and work experiences. It's an exciting management team leading a college with a great deal to offer students. It will be a privilege to work in support of Albion's mission and impressive record of success."

During her five-year tenure at Willamette, Rhyneer led a successful enrollment management program that saw a dramatic increase in admission applications while enhancing the academic profile and campus diversity. She was also the university's chief marketing officer for three of those years and chaired integrated marketing efforts including introduction of a new brand identity and print and digital communications.

Prior to taking the post at Willamette in 2007, Rhyneer served in two executive roles at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. From 1996 to 2005, she was vice president for admission and financial aid, where she planned and implemented programs that increased admission applications and selectivity, and improved student retention. She was also responsible for market analysis and brand development. Rhyneer subsequently served for two years as DePauw's vice president for strategic communication, overseeing the university's brand image and comprehensive communication plan.

She began her career in college admissions at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., and was on staff there for 17 years, including 10 as director of admission. In addition to managing admission operations, she led a national network of alumni and parent admission volunteers.

She also was a consultant for the College Board in the mid-1990s, and she has been active with that organization in a volunteer capacity, serving as a trustee from 2003 to 2007 and on numerous regional and national committees.

Rhyneer holds a bachelor's degree from Whitman College and is currently an M.B.A. candidate at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University. She will complete her degree in August.

Rhyneer will be joined in Albion by her husband, Dana, who works in information technology consulting.