Gil Villanueva
Monday, May 2, 2022
by Editorial Team
Gil Villanueva, associate vice president and dean of admission at the University of Richmond, has been named vice president for enrollment at Rhodes College. He will assume the role in July, when President-elect Jennifer Collins takes office, and will provide high-level strategic direction for the college’s admission, enrollment services, and financial aid operations. In addition, Villanueva will be responsible for collaboratively developing and leading a comprehensive, data-informed enrollment strategy consistent with Rhodes’ vision, strengths, culture, and values.
“After a comprehensive nationwide search, Gil Villanueva was selected from an extraordinary pool of candidates to lead the enrollment division’s efforts in preparing for higher education’s competitive and challenging future and in recruiting classes of diverse, academically excellent students who will thrive at Rhodes,” says President-elect Collins. “He brings a deep wealth of experience, remarkable energy and vision, and true compassion for students to our community.”
Villanueva has led complex strategic initiatives and comes to Rhodes with three decades of experience in recruitment, admission, and enrollment management. Before assuming the role of assistant vice president and dean of admission at the University of Richmond in 2009, he had worked as dean of admissions at Brandeis University, as senior associate dean of admissions at Bucknell University, and as assistant dean of admissions at Harvey Mudd College, where he began as an admission counselor.
“Because of the provisions of the mission and strategic plan, bold leadership, student-centered academic enterprise, compelling value proposition, award-winning physical plant, electric location, civic engagement, strong student outcomes, and fiscal stewardship, Rhodes College is poised to continue to bolster its stature among the nation’s top national liberal arts colleges,” says Villanueva. “I very much look forward to partnering with President Jennifer Collins, campus leaders, trustees, the enrollment team, faculty, staff, students, alumni, college counselors, and friends of the college to realize institutional goals and to advance the college.”
A native of Manila, Philippines, Villanueva earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pitzer College and a master’s degree in education from Bucknell University.