ABOUT ME
Senior Higher Education Executive | Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
With more than 31 years of progressive leadership in higher education, I specialize in strategic enrollment management, student affairs administration, and organizational development. I have served at seven institutions from liberal arts colleges to Power Five flagships leading teams responsible for recruiting and enrolling thousands of students, managing budgets exceeding $30 million, and overseeing $250 million in campus construction. At the University of Mississippi, I helped produce two of the largest freshman classes in the institution's 170-year history and authored the proposal that created its first Division of Enrollment Management.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Strategic Enrollment Management
Developing and executing data-informed enrollment strategies that drive sustained growth in student recruitment, diversity, and academic quality across undergraduate and transfer populations.
Organizational Development
Creating, restructuring, and scaling divisions and departments to meet institutional goals. Authored the founding proposal for the University of Mississippi's first Division of Enrollment Management.
Fiscal Leadership
Planning and managing operating budgets exceeding $30 million and overseeing financial aid allocations of more than $400 million annually, with a proven record of strategic resource alignment.
Student Affairs Administration
Leading comprehensive student affairs operations including housing, orientation, disability services, veteran services, and student success programs across multiple institutional types.
Planning and Construction
Providing leadership for more than $250 million in new construction and renovation projects, including residence halls, campus infrastructure, and long-range capital asset planning.
Stakeholder Engagement
Building collaborative partnerships with faculty, government officials, alumni, and local leaders to advance institutional mission and foster productive town-gown relationships.
PROFESSIONAL PROFICIENCES
Three decades of leadership across enrollment management, student affairs, and institutional growth
My career has been defined by building and transforming organizations in higher education. I have led enrollment operations processing over 42,000 applications annually, managed financial aid portfolios exceeding $400 million, and directed teams of more than 100 professionals. I have served at seven institutions ranging from small liberal arts colleges to Power Five flagships, giving me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities across the higher education landscape.
I bring particular depth in leveraging CRM technologies, predictive modeling, and vendor partnerships with organizations such as Carnegie, EAB, RNL, and Slate to modernize recruitment and financial aid strategies. Whether creating a new division from the ground up or restructuring an existing one, I approach every challenge with collaboration, data, and a commitment to student access and success.
Strategic Enrollment Management
98%
Budget and Fiscal Oversight
95%
Student Affairs Administrationt
95%
Organizational Development
90%
CRM and Enrollment Technology
88%
Facilities Planning and Construction
85%
CAREER OVERVIEW
Experience
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management
July 2019 - Present
The University of Mississippi
Providing strategic direction for enrollment operations processing 42,000+ applications annually and enrolling 6,000+ freshman and transfer students. Leading a team of 103 staff with a divisional budget grown from $6.4M to $10.5M. Helped produce two of the largest freshman classes in the university's 170+ year history.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
July 2013 - June 2019
The University of Mississippi
Led enrollment, financial aid, housing, orientation, and student success operations. Managed budgets exceeding $7 million and financial aid allocations surpassing $300 million. Supervised over 107 full-time staff and 400+ student employees. Secured $4.36M in new institutional scholarship offerings.
Director of Student Housing
June 2012 - June 2019
The University of Mississippi/UT San Antonio
Directed housing operations across two major public universities, managing portfolios of over 5,100 beds and budgets up to $28 million. Led more than $143M in new residential construction projects and implemented comprehensive security, technology, and residential curriculum programs.
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
2020
University of Mississippi
Higher Education, School of Education. Dissertation: Stress, Burnout, Compassion Satisfaction, and Compassion Fatigue Among Resident Assistants at The University of Mississippi.
Master of Arts
1994
Murray State University
Recreation and Leisure Services, College of Education and Human Services.
Bachelor of Science
1992
University of Arkansas at Monticello
Wellness Leadership, School of Education.
DR. MATEN'S INSIGHTS
Recruitment, Nurturing, and Authenticating the Promise: The Three Critical Challenges Facing Enrollment Management Leaders
REFERENCES
[1] Impacts Of The Enrollment Cliff In 2025-2026 - https://agb.org/blog-post/impacts-of-the-enrollment-cliff-in-2025-2026/
[2] 2026 Higher Education Trends -https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/articles-on-higher-education/2026-higher-education-trends.html
[3] Enrollment Management Best Practices -https://www.edvisorly.com/university-insights/enrollment-management-best-practices
[4] UPCEA Releases 2026 Predictions For Higher Education -https://upcea.edu/upcea-releases-2026-predictions-for-higher-education/
[5] Higher Education Trends 2026: 5 Takeaways Enrollment Leaders Can't Ignore -https://www.liaisonedu.com/resources/blog/higher-education-trends-2026-5-takeaways-enrollment-leaders-cant-ignore/
CONTACT
I welcome the opportunity to connect with fellow higher education professionals, search committees, and institutional leaders. Whether you are reaching out about a leadership opportunity, a speaking engagement, or a potential collaboration, I would be glad to hear from you.
Email: drlionelm@gmail.com
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