'Proven professional' to direct WMU's admissions office

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University alumna Alicia Kornowa, director of admissions for recruitment at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, has been tapped to lead the WMU Office of Admissions, effective July 30.

A veteran in the field of admissions and recruitment, Kornowa has served exceptionally well at several universities over the past two decades, including at WMU early in her career. 

"I am excited to be able to bring in a proven professional who has experience in multiple institutional environments, a solid record of accomplishment and someone who has never lost sight of her roots as a proud Bronco," says Dr. Terrence Curran, associate provost for enrollment management.

"Alicia represents the next strategic puzzle piece to continue our progress in reaching our institutional enrollment goals."

Kornowa was selected as WMU's director of admissions following a nationwide search. When she joins the University, she will take on responsibility for developing prospecting, recruiting and yield activities to meet enrollment targets and priorities. 

"Becoming the chief admissions officer at a doctoral university has been a career goal of mine for several years," Kornowa says. "I couldn’t be more thrilled to serve in that role at my alma mater—a University that transformed me and so many others and that is so dear to my heart."

Alicia Kornowa

Kornowa has spent the past six years at the University of Cincinnati, where she now leads a 24-person team and manages marketing, recruitment and yield activities for domestic first-year and transfer students. During her tenure at UC, the institution experienced increases in enrollment of first-year students. Between 2012 and 2017, first-year student enrollment grew by 31 percent. Over that same span of time, diversity of the first-year class increased by 7 percent and out-of-state enrollment increased by 75 percent among first-year students.

Prior to joining the Cincinnati university, Kornowa was senior associate director of admissions at Cornell University in New York. She also has held positions at the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida and at WMU, where she was assistant director of admissions and orientation from 1999 to 2004. 

A two-time graduate of WMU, Kornowa studied organizational communication at the University, earning a bachelor's and a master's degree. 

"WMU is posed to begin a new chapter in our history," she says "And I’m excited to partner with such talented and dedicated staff and leadership to achieve the University's institutional enrollment goals."

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