Dr. Andy Otto will be William Woods University's new vice president of enrollment services.
Otto comes to William Woods from Ottawa University, where he has served as the director of enrollment management and admissions for the past five years. He will start May 31.
Otto joins the WWU administration with more than 10 years of higher education admissions and enrollment experience in both the traditional and non-traditional settings, working with residential, graduate, online and non-traditional students throughout his career in college admissions and enrollment management.
In his new cabinet-level role at William Woods, he will be responsible for leading the university's efforts in undergraduate, graduate and online student recruitment and enrollment.
With Otto at the helm, Ottawa University saw its largest incoming class for five consecutive years, while also experiencing its largest total enrollment at its residential campus in more than 40 years. Otto served as academic advisor for first-year students and taught first-year seminar courses.
"Enrollment is the lifeblood of every university, and William Woods is fortunate to have a consummate enrollment management professional of Andy Otto's caliber joining our leadership team here at the University," WWU President Jeremy Moreland said. "Dr. Otto's years of experience in college admissions and enrollment, particularly his track record of successful enrollment strategies and results at an institution that is in many ways similar to ours, will be extremely valuable to WWU. With his leadership, we will be well-positioned for the foreseeable future to engage with potential students."
The appointment of Otto comes after the WWU hired its first-ever student experience officer Dr. Ted Blashak earlier this year.
"Dr. Otto's expertise in enrollment strategies, along with our new focus on the positive experience for every student that attends William Woods, will have a profound effect on our efforts to both attract and retain students," Blashak said.
Dr. Otto completed his doctor of philosophy earlier this year in educational leadership from Northwest Nazarene University, with a research focus on the use of texting within the advising function and its influence on students' intent to persist. He earned his master's in business administration in 2014 and bachelor's degree in English in 2010 from Ottawa University.
A native of Drexel, Missouri, Otto is married to Dr. Courtney Otto, a specialty pharmacist, and together they have three children.