Double alumnus, longtime enrollment leader named Case Western Reserve’s next VP of enrollment management
Bob McCullough aims to build on strong track record of strengthening university’s undergraduate student body
Following a national search for Case Western Reserve’s next vice president of enrollment management, the university has selected longtime enrollment leader Bob McCullough (CWR ’96, MGT ’02) for the role, President Eric W. Kaler and Provost Joy K. Ward announced today.
McCullough has served as interim vice president of enrollment management since January, leading a team of more than 40 staff members across undergraduate admission, financial aid, orientation and new student transitions. His latest appointment follows decades of advancement within Case Western Reserve University’s enrollment ecosystem, from his start as an admission counselor in 1997 to his most recent role as associate vice president for enrollment and dean of undergraduate admission. And, as a double alumnus—first arriving at Case Western Reserve in 1992 as an undergraduate studying English, biology and dance—McCullough has experienced the admissions process first hand.
“Bob has long been an integral part of Case Western Reserve University and its enrollment management team—elevating the academic caliber of our incoming undergraduate classes, developing recruitment strategies to reach new students and families, and creating new partnerships to expand access to a Case Western Reserve education,” President Kaler said. “He has proven to be an exceptional strategic leader, and we are confident in his ability to shape our university’s positive trajectory in this new role.”
As associate vice president, McCullough played a key role in drawing exceptional students from within Cleveland, across the U.S. and beyond, through expanded partnerships and strategic shifts in recruitment. He helped grow undergraduate applications from approximately 9,000 to more than 41,000 annually—a 400%-plus increase. At the same time, McCullough and his team’s strategies helped Case Western Reserve become dramatically more selective, driving the acceptance rate from 70% to 36% and raising average SAT scores by 150 points—even while expanding the entering class size by more than 600.
“Since arriving on campus in 1992, Bob has exemplified the Case Western Reserve University ethos: curious, collaborative and committed to excellence,” Provost Ward said. “I want to thank the search committee for their work in identifying Bob as an outstanding candidate for this role. With his proven track record driving transformative growth in applications, academic quality, retention and institutional visibility, Bob is an ideal person to harness the exceptional momentum of our university and lead its next chapter of enrollment strategy.”
A strong connection
As Case Western Reserve University celebrates its bicentennial, McCullough noted that he’s been fortunate to be part of 17% of those historic years as a student, staff member and alumnus. And, he reflected, the core of what drew him in 35 years ago hasn’t changed.
“When I first visited Case Western Reserve as a high school student, I was struck by the incredible sense of possibility. I remember meeting Coach [Bill] Sudeck and discovering the opportunity to participate in varsity athletics, and also chatting with Cathy Albers, a faculty member in theater, and learning about the theater scene. And this was all against the backdrop of being surrounded by smart, motivated and talented people,” McCullough said. “The campus has only become more of what I found so inspiring as a high school senior. More opportunities, more students, stronger connections to the city and surrounding community—and the same kind of people who take an active interest in students and their success.”
McCullough is cognizant of some of the challenges ahead—from the economy to solidifying the value of higher education to the public—but he is eager to work with partners across campus to find solutions that fit the needs of CWRU.
“I love that CWRU is a place that is always changing, growing, innovating for the future,” McCullough said. “There's a deeply felt sense that success is earned, that nothing is given, and that we go a lot further together than one can ever go alone. It's a terrific community to be a part of.”
