Hello Washington? This is Washington. Enrollment VPs Pass on the Road from Tacoma to D.C.

TACOMA, Wash. – Two talented education professionals are crossing paths on the road that runs between Washington state and the “other Washington.”

As the University of Puget Sound says goodbye to Vice President for Enrollment Jenny Rickard, who will take up a top post in the nation’s capital, the capital will likewise give up one of its own to the independent national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Wash.

Christine Mica, chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, is coming to serve as Puget Sound’s interim vice president for enrollment beginning Aug. 15. Rickard will go to D.C. to become executive director of The Common Application, a nonprofit organization committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process.

 

“We are fortunate to have the benefit of such strong continuity of leadership in the enrollment division as we search for a new vice president during the fall semester,” said Puget Sound President Isiaah Crawford. “Jenny Rickard has advanced Puget Sound’s commitment to access and affordability in tangible ways for the benefit of our students and their families, and Christine Mica also brings us an impressive record of achievement in higher education.”

In her current role, Mica is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of Postsecondary Education. She has worked on key issues such as college completion and access, accreditation, evidence-based grantmaking, and increasing access to higher education for justice-involved individuals. She previously was dean of university admissions for The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and earlier served as a middle school teacher in Florida and as supervisor of guest events for the Washington Redskins football team.

Under Rickard’s leadership, the college has developed and launched various initiatives that have improved access to and affordability of a Puget Sound education while consistently meeting enrollment goals in an increasingly competitive market. Recent advances include implementation of a test-optional admission policy, the introduction of the Access Scholars Cohort Program and Tacoma Public Schools Commitment (programs that meet the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students from the local school district), and a partnership with The Posse Foundation in the San Francisco Bay area.

A national search for a permanent vice president for enrollment is currently underway, with an appointment anticipated later in the fall.

Press photos of Christine Mica are available upon request.
Photos on page: Top right: Christine Mica. Above: Jones Hall, home of the Office of Admission

Tweet this: Hello, Washington? This is Washington. As @univpugetsound VP @LoggerJenny heads to @CommonApp in DC. We gain @usedgov’s Christine Mica http://bit.ly/2aHhoY7.

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