Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) announced in a July press release the appointment of Jeffery Norris as the college’s vice president for enrollment following a comprehensive, nationwide search. Norris will succeed H-SC’s longtime admissions leader, Anita H. Garland, who is retiring after nearly 40 years of service.

Hampden-Sydney also announced the promotion of Jason Ferguson to the position of dean of admissions in the release.

Norris comes to H-SC from Rhodes College in Memphis, where he served most recently as director of admissions, officials noted in the release. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in enrollment leadership, recruitment and financial aid strategy, data-driven decision making, enrollment marketing and relationship building.

“The search committee and I have been very impressed by the level of Jeff’s enrollment experience and his passion for small private colleges,” H-SC President Dr. Larry Stimpert said in the release. “The higher education marketplace is complex and dynamic, and Jeff’s expertise in harnessing data, adapting to new technologies and market shifts and strategically targeting resources will be essential as we build on our recent momentum and continue advancing Hampden-Sydney’s mission of forming good men and good citizens. Jeff’s relationships with college counselors both in the U.S. and internationally will also be vital as Hampden-Sydney increases its geographic reach and targets new markets. Above all, Jeff’s emphasis on an individualized approach to recruiting will ensure that our admissions operation’s legendary personal touch will endure.”

The release cited that Norris, a member of many admissions-related professional societies, has also been active in his community, having served as chair of the Bartlett City Board of Education in Tennessee since 2013.

He will assume his position at Hampden-Sydney on Aug. 15, officials stated in the release.

“It is awe-inspiring to be joining a historic institution with a 244-year mission of forming good men and good citizens,” Norris said in the release. “I am honored and privileged for the opportunity to serve the Hampden-Sydney community in this role. I look forward to working with alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends of the college to further elevate Hampden-Sydney’s reputation among prospective students, parents and college guidance counselors as well as to bring a new sense of innovation to enrollment.”

Stimpert added in the release that “as we welcome Jeff to Hampden-Sydney, we’re also thrilled that Jason Ferguson will be serving as dean of admissions. Since he was a student working in the admissions mailroom, Ferg has been an outstanding ambassador for the college, and over the past two decades he has been a mentor to many admissions staff members and Hampden-Sydney students. The personal touch Ferg developed under Anita Garland’s tutelage has brought many Tigers into our family, and his institutional knowledge, breadth of relationships college-wide and eloquence in sharing the Hampden-Sydney story will continue to be essential in our enrollment efforts.”

Said Ferguson in the release, “I’ve had the pleasure to work under a legend and serve my alma mater for the past 23 years. I know her history, her traditions and her alumni.”

Officials noted in the release that Ferguson began his service in the Hampden-Sydney admissions office as a student worker before becoming assistant dean of admissions in 1996. He has served as director of admissions since 2008, supporting Dean Garland in many facets of the operation and leading recruitment efforts in key markets such as Richmond. In addition to many other contributions on campus, Ferguson has served as a freshman adviser, living and learning community coordinator and adviser to Kappa Alpha Order.

“As the dean of admissions, I look forward to partnering with Jeff as we move the college into a new era,” Ferguson said in the release.

The release concluded by citing that in addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampden-Sydney, Ferguson holds a Master of Science degree in community and college counseling from Longwood University. His promotion is effective Aug. 15.