DENMARK, SC, — Voorhees University proudly announces the appointment of Dr. LaVada R. Rice as its new Vice President of Enrollment Management. A visionary and transformational servant leader with more than 20 years of administrative and higher education experience, Dr. Rice brings a dynamic blend of strategic enrollment leadership, student success advocacy, and operational excellence to the University.
Dr. Rice joins Voorhees from Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU), a four-year Historically Black University in St. Louis, Missouri, where she served as Director of Admissions. In this role, she led all aspects of the Office of Admissions, including recruitment strategy, application processing, admissions decisions, enrollment marketing, and data-driven forecasting. She spearheaded innovative digital marketing initiatives, strengthened external enrollment partnerships, and implemented strategic action plans to achieve targeted enrollment growth.
Prior to HSSU, Dr. Rice served as Director of Metro St. Louis Extended Campuses at Webster University, where she provided executive leadership for two campuses, managed a combined $900,000 budget, and oversaw admissions, advising, retention, registration, student services, and community partnerships. Her earlier leadership roles at Lindenwood University included Campus Director and Admissions Representative, where she developed recruitment pipelines, designed student tracking systems, and led campus operations focused on enrollment growth and student persistence.
A scholar-practitioner, Dr. Rice earned her Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration from Lindenwood University (2023). She is also actively engaged in professional leadership, serving as President-Elect of the Missouri Association of Blacks in Higher Education and as a board member for Annie Malone Children & Family Services. Her affiliations include NASPA, AABHE, and the Missouri Department of Higher Education Adult Learner Network.
“As I begin this appointment, the President’s vision will serve as the compass for the Office of Enrollment Management,” said Dr. Rice. “I come as a servant to this academy — committed to expanding access, strengthening advancement pathways, and preserving affordability so that every scholar has a genuine opportunity to enroll, persist, and thrive. Enrollment management is not simply about numbers; it is about people and purposeful collaboration in service to our community.”
“Dr. Rice’s career reflects a powerful combination of strategic enrollment expertise, operational leadership, and an unwavering commitment to student empowerment,” said President Ronnie Hopkins. “Her passion for cultivating academic cultures where students feel valued and supported aligns perfectly with Voorhees University’s mission and vision for growth.”
As Vice President of Enrollment Management, Dr. Rice will oversee undergraduate and graduate admissions, recruitment strategy, enrollment marketing, financial aid collaboration, pipeline partnerships, and data-informed enrollment forecasting. She will work closely with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Athletics, Alumni Relations, and community partners to strengthen the University’s enrollment trajectory and enhance student persistence from recruitment through graduation.
Her appointment comes during a period of continued institutional momentum for Voorhees University, including academic expansion, innovative partnerships, and its distinction as the only HBCU in the nation to serve as a charter school authorizer.