Bluefield University in the News

BC WELCOMES NEW VP FOR ENROLLMENT (2011)

by | Dec 6, 2011

Bluefield College recently welcomed a new member to its leadership team. Trent Argo, a higher education executive with more than 20 years of experience in college admissions, joined the BC family in November 2011 as the new vice president for enrollment management.

Argo came to Bluefield College after serving six years as dean of enrollment management at Oklahoma Baptist University, 13 years as director of admissions at Campbellsville (KY) University, and additional time as an admissions consultant for various colleges and universities.

Most recently, he served as chief executive officer of the International Education Group in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he developed and implemented marketing and enrollment management strategies as a consultant to liberal arts colleges across the country. During his two-year tenure with the International Education Group, Argo helped develop initiatives that not only halted enrollment declines at colleges, but also spurred enrollment growth.

“We are pleased to welcome Trent to the Bluefield College community,” said BC President David Olive. “He comes with impressive credentials and expertise in the area of enrollment management and will be a valuable contributor to our recruitment efforts and the growing enrollment at the college.”

A veteran of the United States Air Force, Argo served six years, 2003-2009, as dean of enrollment management at Oklahoma Baptist University, where he supervised admissions, student financial services, international studies, student retention, student success, academic advising, and the registrar. At OBU, Argo also turned a ten-year enrollment slide into enrollment growth and reconstructed financial aid awards to reduce the school’s discount rate and increase net revenue.

“In addition to his 20-plus years of experience in enrollment management, Trent has wonderful people skills that convey warmth and a genuine desire to serve,” said Dr. Olive. “He is a great fit with the college’s mission, leadership team, staff and campus culture.”

Before Oklahoma Baptist, Argo served 13 years, 1990 to 2003, as director of admissions at Campbellsville University, where he increased enrollment 198 percent over a 13-year span. At Campbellsville, he also established the school’s first graduate admissions program and student ambassador program. In addition, he implemented recruiting strategies that increased the average ACT score of freshmen from 16.0 to 21.2.

“I am so thrilled to be a part of the Bluefield College family,” said Argo about his latest position in higher education admissions. “What impressed me most during my interview on campus was the passion that the employees have for this college. I was overwhelmed. It was very obvious that those who are here feel a sense of calling to be here. It was very evident. It gives me great hope for the future of Bluefield College.”

Argo’s experience in higher education also includes two years as an admissions counselor at Campbellsville and numerous years as a national conference presenter on student recruitment, marketing, and retention. He also is a past president of the National Association of Baptist Enrollment Professionals.

“I was considering several colleges, and the reason I decided to invest myself in Bluefield was due to how impressed I was with Dr. Olive’s leadership and vision and to the potential I saw here,” said Argo. “I have no doubt that Bluefield College has not yet seen its best days. It is such an exciting time to be part of this great school and working with so many outstanding professionals.”

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