Provided

Lee H. Melvin has been named Cornell's associate vice provost for enrollment, effective Sept. 15.

Lee H. Melvin, vice president for enrollment planning and management at the University of Connecticut, has been named Cornell's associate vice provost for enrollment, effective Sept. 15, announced Cornell's Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School Barbara Knuth.

Melvin, who succeeds Doris Davis, who left Cornell in 2010, will report to Knuth. He will be responsible for leading universitywide undergraduate admissions, enrollment management and financial aid policy; serving as enrollment "thought leader" and chief strategist; leading and assessing recruitment, admissions and financial aid practices; addressing market changes; and developing and executing policies and programs that support the university's goal of attracting a highly qualified, diverse student population.

"We are very fortunate to have Lee join us. He is a well-known national leader in international and diversity recruitment," said Knuth. "We are committed to providing access to a Cornell degree for a diverse student population, and Lee's leadership and vision will increase our capacity toward this commitment."

Melvin has long guided campuswide recruitment, enrollment, retention and graduation efforts at large universities, having been an admissions officer and financial aid officer at the University of Michigan; coordinator of minority recruitment programs at the University of Georgia-Athens; assistant director of admissions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and associate director of university admissions at Wayne State University.

Melvin is known for his results-oriented approach to recruitment and admissions. While he directed undergraduate admissions from 2004-09 at UConn's main campus in Storrs, Conn., minority enrollment increased by 28 percent and international undergraduate student enrollment by 300 percent. More recently as interim vice president and then vice president for enrollment planning and management at UConn, Melvin oversaw a $360 million financial aid program; implemented enrollment strategies at five regional campuses that resulted in record new student enrollment; and redesigned the international recruitment and enrollment plan, increasing enrollment to record highs. Under his leadership this past year, UConn's overall applications increased by 23 percent; international applications grew by 80 percent and diversity applicants by 25 percent.

"I was attracted to Cornell because of its mission to enroll promising students from any background, regardless of the resources they may need to come here," Melvin said. "I am excited to be joining the Cornell leadership team, applying my professional expertise and knowledge so that we will continue to have a positive impact on the incoming classes in fulfillment of that mission."

One of Melvin's first tasks will be to review Cornell's admissions and financial aid policies and practices to make sure that they support the goals that the leaders of the seven colleges and the university intend for them. He will also promote an even greater sharing of information among constituent groups to increase recruitment and contribute to enrollment efforts overall, he said.

Provost Kent Fuchs said, "I look forward to working with Lee Melvin to ensure that Cornell furthers its strategic goals of attracting, admitting and enrolling the most deserving, promising and diverse student body possible."