Freiburger's Role Expands to Lead Central College's Enrollment Management Efforts

by Central College

Pella, IA (04/28/2020) — Central College has announced leadership changes in its enrollment management and student development teams.

Chevy Freiburger, who has been the executive director of admission for the past year, has been promoted to the role of dean of enrollment management.

In his new role, Freiburger will oversee the day-to-day operations of the admission and financial aid teams. He will collaborate with key institutional stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive enrollment strategy aligned with the college's goals and mission.

"This planned transition allows the college to benefit from Chevy's extensive background in admission," says Mark Putnam, Central president. "He will guide Central through the ever-changing terrain of enrollment work with a focus on highly sophisticated technology. During his 17-year tenure at Central, Chevy always has been committed to the college and its mission. He is a major reason for this past year's growth in new student enrollments, and I am excited for the future under his leadership."

Freiburger joined Central in 2003 as an admission counselor. He was promoted to director of admission and associate director of admission before being tapped director in 2011 and executive director in 2019. Freiburger graduated from Coe College in 1998 with a bachelor's in business and German. Before coming to Central, he taught English for the Ministry of Education in Kosai, Japan, for three years and then spent a year at State Farm Insurance in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Freiburger also is a prominent member of the admission field. He has served on the executive board of the Iowa Association for College Admission Counseling as well as on the Current Trends and Future Issues committee for the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

Freiburger assumes this role following in the footsteps of his longtime mentor, Carol Williamson, who has been the vice president of enrollment management and dean of the college since January 2009. Since January 2018 she also has served as vice president of student development. She will remain in that role, in which she oversees wellness and counseling services, residence life and student safety, Campus Ministries, the information center, student support services, the work-based learning program, Upward Bound, Talent Search, and student leadership, involvement and inclusivity.

"I am excited for the opportunity to lead the college's admission program and introduce prospective students and families to this incredible institution," Freiburger says. "The college's strong academic programs and the remarkable mentorship offered by faculty open doors for our students for a lifetime of success. I am grateful to work alongside an extremely dedicated group of enrollment professionals. Central is an exciting place to be to make a difference."

Williamson has a bachelor's degree in communications with a concentration in student personnel and public relations from Truman State University. She has almost 35 years of experience working in higher education. Prior to joining Central, she worked in the admission departments at Truman State University, Southeastern Community College and Mount Mercy University. Before becoming Central's vice president of enrollment management, she served the college as assistant director of admission, associate director of admission, senior associate director of admission and dean of admission.

"Throughout her service to Central, Carol has done a superb job leading the college's enrollment efforts, helping us bring in the largest class in five years this past year and leading an announcement about our new tuition pricing," Putnam says. "She has led the college's innovative recruitment efforts and has helped Central maintain a steady enrollment during times of economic and demographic changes across the country. We are delighted to continue to benefit from her expertise in student development."

The leadership changes will become effective July 1, 2020.

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