Associate VP Focused On Optimizing Enrollment

Tennessee Tech’s first-ever Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success wants to find ways to strengthen the university’s enrollment process.

Mary McCaskey said she oversees all aspects including recruitment, admission, retention, student success, and financial aid. McCaskey said her main priorities involve finding new ways to study, manage, and refine the processes.

“One of the areas that we want to put focus on is our transfer students,” McCaskey said. “And how we can help make that program a little more robust, how we can help serve those students better and make it as seamless as possible as they transition.”

McCaskey said she works with Karen Lykins to establish and adjust the strategies, goals, and policies for Tech’s enrollment services.

“I work with our enrollment data team,” McCaskey said. “We review and analyze all the data on student enrollment and success and help advise the vice president on strategic decisions.”

McCaskey said there has been a learning curve to the job but it has gone well so far. McCaskey said she has been with Tech for ten years and there are always different situations that challenge her to figure out the best ways to serve students.

“It’s an honor to be selected and to have someone believe that, to see the need and to understand the desire that I’ve had to serve students and to want to see the university be successful,” McCaskey said.

McCaskey said she also serves as the Interim Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships. McCaskey said that role requires her to make sure the university is following the right federal, state, and institutional guidelines with its various financial aid offerings and programs.