President Geoffrey S. Mearns announced today that Paula Luff will serve as Ball State University’s next vice president for enrollment planning and management, effective April 20, 2020.
Paula Luff, Ball State University’s next vice president for enrollment planning and management
With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, Ms. Luff is currently interim vice president for enrollment management at DePaul University in Chicago, the nation’s largest Catholic institution.
“Paula will play a key role in continuing our University’s momentum toward a bright future,” President Mearns said. “Last Fall, Ball State had record-breaking enrollment, including our largest, most academically qualified, and most diverse freshman class. I am confident Paula will continue the coordinated and innovative recruitment strategies that lead to outstanding results.”
Ms. Luff said Ball State’s strategic plan, Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, and the University’s enduring values — excellence, integrity, social responsibility, inclusiveness, gratitude, innovation, and courage — resonated with her.
“Ball State has lived these values for more than a century,” she said. “Guided by these values, the University is pursuing ambitious and inspiring goals. I believe that a diverse, inclusive group of professionals can achieve almost any goal, provided they have clear direction and the opportunity to use their talents fully. It is a leader’s responsibility to create an atmosphere conducive to experimentation, excellence, and continuous improvement. That is a responsibility I relish.”
Ms. Luff also said she admires how Ball State embraces the future and how its students, faculty, staff, and supporters have the intellectual curiosity, courage, determination, and dedication to shape it.
“As a first-generation college graduate who attended a public institution and relied on financial aid to complete my undergraduate degree, I am living proof that higher education can change the trajectory of a life,” she said. “I have dedicated my professional career to helping others achieve their dreams through education and welcome the opportunity to continue that mission at Ball State.”
President Mearns said he is grateful to Kay Bales, the recently retired vice president for enrollment planning and management, and Chris Munchel, the current interim vice president for enrollment planning and management, for their service to the University.