As Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Morton College, I lead an integrated academic and student affairs team, aligning strategy, operations, and culture to improve student outcomes, strengthen institutional performance, and position the college for long-term success. My work focuses on advancing enrollment growth, student success, operational efficiency, and long-range institutional planning.
Selected Outcomes
Enrollment Growth & Access
- Achieved 18%+ overall enrollment growth year-over-year
- Increased credit enrollment by 22%+, reversing prior declines
- Expanded Adult Education access, increasing enrollment by 35% while scaling instructional delivery by 52% to meet demand
Student Success & Pathways
- Launched Panther Pathways, achieving approximately 95% fall-to-spring persistence in the inaugural cohort
- Aligned academic pathways with advising, scheduling, and student support to improve progression and completion
- Integrated pathways with student goals and regional workforce needs to strengthen outcomes
Operational Efficiency & Financial Stewardship
- Generated approximately $1.1M in recurring annual financial impact through strategic scheduling redesign
- Reduced course sections by 5.4% while increasing average class size by 10.4%
- Implemented an integrated planning and budgeting process linking unit priorities to institutional strategy
Accreditation & Institutional Effectiveness
- Led institutional efforts contributing to the removal of Notice status by the Higher Learning Commission
- Strengthened systems for assessment, program review, and data-informed decision-making
- Advanced a culture of inquiry and evidence to support continuous improvement and accreditation readiness
Organizational Leadership & Strategy
- Provide oversight for an integrated academic and student affairs enterprise, aligning the full student experience from enrollment through completion
- Led reorganization into five academic divisions aligned with Illinois Pathways
- Established new units focused on institutional effectiveness, teaching and learning, and workforce innovation to improve alignment and reduce fragmentation
Workforce & Regional Impact
- Expanded partnerships with employers and community organizations to align programs with regional labor market needs
- Advanced applied STEM and workforce initiatives aligned with high-demand fields and emerging technologies
- Positioned the college as a key partner in regional workforce and economic development efforts
Capital Planning & Facilities Strategy
- Leading development of a multi-phase campus facilities strategy, including exploration of a 100,000+ sq. ft. Applied STEM and workforce training center aligned with regional labor market demand
- Chaired a cross-functional institutional committee at the College of DuPage to plan a $40M classroom and academic facility, aligning academic priorities, space utilization, and stakeholder interests
- Led renovation and activation of an instructional floor at the College of Lake County Lake Shore Campus to launch a digital media and design program, creating a hands-on model in which students partnered with local businesses to deliver marketing and digital content solutions
Sheldon Walcher 