Lisa Bunders, Ed.D.
An enrollment manager who started out in institutional research and assessment, Lisa has a strong foundation in data-based strategy for small private colleges. But with degrees from and experience at regional and flagship public universities, there isn’t a college she can’t help. Lisa serves as interim vice president, develops research and analysis projects, and assesses strategy and institutional performance.
lisa@dutcher.llc
lisa@dutcher.llc
Lisa Bunders, Ed.D.
Curiosity has always been my best attribute – or in some cases, my most challenging trait. Oftentimes when told I should not or could not do something, my curiosity has prompted me to ask the question, why not?
When I was in college, bored already in my sophomore year, I was discouraged from earning too many credits too quickly lest I graduate early. I didn’t want to miss a true senior year in college, did I? My question to the registrar at that time was – why not? I graduated with my bachelor’s degree early and enrolled in graduate school.
In my second year of graduate school, I fell in love with statistics. Despite often being the only woman in a course, I felt at home among the complex formulas and coding. In response, I decided to add a research concentration to my degree just because I enjoyed statistics so much; my perplexed advisor asked me why. My question to her was, why not? My first professional position in higher education after earning my doctorate was as director of institutional research.
I worked as director of institutional research for a college president who called me into her office one day and asked if I would serve as the vice president for enrollment management. I was 32 years old, knew a lot about numbers, but not a lot about admissions. I looked at her and said, why not! That role was the first of five vice presidencies throughout my career in higher education.
I joined Dutcher LLC because I want to be a part of a team dedicated to helping colleges and universities answer the question, why not. Why not confront the challenges of today with new and innovative thinking and approaches? Why not build a lasting strategy that will serve students and enhance their lives? Why not thrive, rather than merely survive?
Lisa Bunders, Ed.D.
802 289 1452
Education
Doctor of Education
Higher Education with an emphasis in Educational Psychology/Research and Statistics, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, May 1998
Dissertation: Program Directors’ Perceptions of Quality in Higher Education Doctoral Programs
Master of Science
College Student Personnel Administration, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Missouri, May 1995
Thesis: First Year Student Wellness and Chickering’s Seven Vectors
Bachelor of Arts
Political Science, German, German Culture Studies, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, December 1992
Employment
Higher Education Consultant, Dutcher LLC, September 2020
Vice President for Enrollment Management, Champlain College, May 2016 to September 2020
Responsible for all recruiting efforts for a national College including all strategic and operational planning for admission, financial aid, marketing, and enrollment analytics. Manage a financial aid budget of approximately $35M and a total enrollment management staff of 42. Work closely Board of Trustees, donors, and friends of the College to move programs forward. Raise funds for scholarships and student programs.
Search Consultant, Napier Executive Search, November 2014
Partner with colleges and universities on their search for senior level enrollment management professionals. Identify talented professionals in enrollment management and pair them with the right colleges and universities.
Vice President Consultant, Registry for College and University Presidents and Vice Presidents, Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York, April 2014 to October 2014
Completed six-month interim leadership role as Vice President for Enrollment Management at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. Served as sitting vice president and was responsible for strategic and operational planning for recruitment. Re envisioned marketing materials and communication strategies for the College. Responsible for financial aid and managed discounting projections and models.
Adjunct Faculty, Franklin Pierce University, Online; Post University, Online, August 2013 to present
Taught numerous modules of The Postsecondary Student, The Adult Student, Methods in Behavioral Research, and Elementary Statistics.
Vice President for Traditional and Online Enrollment Management and Marketing, Franklin Pierce University, New Hampshire, March 2012 to June 2013
Responsible for all recruiting efforts for the institution; both for traditional liberal arts campus and nontraditional College of Graduate and Professional Programs. Supervise 20 professionals both on site and at offsite campus locations. Responsible for financial aid budget exceeding $21 million. Responsible for all University marketing; traditional and online/nontraditional. Responsible for the advancement of the University’s College of Graduate & Professional Studies’ satellite and online campuses advertising, promotion, partnership and program development, and new student acquisition/enrollment.
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, July 2006 to August 2011
Responsible for all recruiting efforts for the institution. Supervised 11 professionals in admission and manage a recruiting budget. Responsible for all financial aid to students. Supervised four professionals and managed a financial aid budget of approximately $18 million. Responsible for institutional research and supervised one professional in that department. Responsible for NCAA Division III athletics at the institution. Supervised eight athletic staff and 26 coaches. Managed an enrollment management and athletics operating budget of over $15 million. Served as chair of the College’s sustainability efforts and served on numerous task forces in the city of Dubuque.
Vice President for Enrollment, Research, and Financial Aid, Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin, October 2003 to July 2006
Responsible for all recruiting efforts for the institution. Worked with all campus constituents and external markets to ensure recruitment of appropriate sized class each fall. Collaborated with members of campus to ensure retention of current student population. Supervised 10 professionals in admission and managed a recruiting budget of approximately $1 million. Supervised four professionals in financial aid and managed a budget of approximately $4.9 million. Collaborated enrollment activities for the six member Eco League consortium.
Director of Institutional Research, Academic Affairs, Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin, July 2002 to October 2003
Identified, analyzed, and reported data for the assessment of institutional effectiveness. Prepared internal and external reports regarding the long range plans for the institution. Conducted campus wide retention studies and analyzed statistical data concerning the attrition of students. Completed all statistical reporting to external constituents and recorded all internal institutional data. Attended to immediate needs from the entire campus community.
Director of Institutional Research/Assessment Coordinator for Traditional Campus and Online/Satellite Campuses, Academic Affairs, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa, September 1998 to June 2002
Identified, analyzed, and reported data for the assessment of institutional effectiveness both on the traditional campus and the satellite/online campuses. Prepared internal and external reports regarding the long-range plans for the entire institution. Conducted campus wide retention studies and analyzed statistical data concerning the attrition of students. Completed all statistical reporting to external constituents and recorded all internal institutional data. Attended to immediate needs from the entire campus community. Directed University wide assessment program; general education and academic program level.
Adjunct Faculty, Educational Psychology/Human Development, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa, August 1999 to June 2002
Taught Gender Psychology and Educational Psychology coupled with Supervised Participation and Research.
Head Women’s Tennis Coach, Athletic Department, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa, Fall 2002
Coached the women’s tennis program. Practiced, traveled, and scheduled competition for the women’s team. Placed 8th in the Iowa Conference.
Instructor, Counseling and Psychology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, April 1995 to July 1997
Taught a student development/counseling course to undergraduate students. Taught three credit Hours per semester.
Assistant Director of Residential Life, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, August 1996 to July 1997
Maintained all in hall records. Maintained security and supervision of security. Supervised one full time receptionist, one graduate student, eight student tutors, and fifteen student staff members. Managed safety, emergencies, crises, and other risk management efforts. Facilitated and maintained an environment conducive to learning. Counseled students in emergency and non – emergency situations. Created faculty involvement programs and advised twenty-five faculty members. Advised sophomore honor society and AIDS education network organization on campus. Supervised programmatic efforts. Adjudicated all hall judicial matters.
Hall Director/Instructor, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Missouri, August 1993 to August 1995
Taught three credits per semester of freshmen seminar courses to undergraduate students. Managed all operations of three coeducational residence halls. Selected, trained, supervised, and evaluated eight student staff members. Supervised programmatic efforts. Adjudicated all hall judicial matters.