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Magallanes to Serve as AVC of Enrollment Management
The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith announced this week that Brooke Magallanes will serve as its next Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. In her new role, Magallanes will be responsible for overseeing the university's efforts in enrollment, recruitment, admissions, and financial aid, bringing with her a wealth of experience. She will being her role at UAFS Monday March 18, 2024.
A 2014 UAFS graduate, the new role is something of a homecoming for Magallanes. "Stepping back onto the campus that provided me with such a rich and transformative educational experience fills me with immense joy and a deep sense of responsibility. I am honored to serve in a capacity that allows me to give back to the university that has given me so much," she said.
Following her graduation from UAFS, she earned a Master of Science in College Student Personnel from Arkansas Tech University in 2016, and began her career in enrollment management soon after at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Most recently, Magallanes served as the Interim Director for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at the UALR, where she led a team of 23 professional staff members and six student employees, honed her leadership abilities and demonstrated her innovative approach to enhancing student recruitment and the admissions process. During Brooke's interim as director, UALR saw a 29.2 percent increase in fall 2022 freshmen, maintained the increased number of enrolled freshmen the following year, and saw a 3.2 percent increase in new undergraduate spring enrollment, reversing a declining enrollment trend for this term. Additionally, under her leadership UALR’s fall 2024 degree-seeking undergraduate applications increased by 35.3 percent, with an increase in admits of 49.2 percent.
Magallanes also spearheaded the creation of UALR’s first bilingual recruiting position. "My commitment to building a welcoming and inclusive campus is more than just a professional belief; it's a personal one, too. Leading the charge to hire UALR's first Hispanic recruiter was a step toward creating a more inclusive and representative university community. I am so excited to continue this work at UAFS, helping the university progress towards its goal of becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution," she said.
UAFS currently employs two bilingual recruiters who serve the students and families of the Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas regions, and host the region’s premier Spanish language recruiting event, Sí Se Puede.
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Dr. Lee Krehbiel, expressed his confidence in Magallanes's ability to lead the university's enrollment strategies forward.
“Brooke's exceptional leadership skills, combined with her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education today, make her the ideal choice for this role. Her vision for our enrollment management aligns with our institutional goals, and I am confident she will make a significant impact in the future of UAFS, and I am confident her related experience will help us focus on communication, on highlighting faculty accomplishments, and navigating demographic challenges.” He said.
Magallanes’s academic and professional journey has been marked by dedication to student success, community building, transparent communications, and inclusive practices – positioning her well to drive the university’s new strategic plan forward.
Beyond her professional achievements, Magallanes is also engaged in volunteer work and community service which she credits to a deep love of philanthropy she developed as a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at UAFS. A Fort Smith native, she and her husband, Frankie Magallanes, also a UAFS alumnus, said they were deeply excited to rejoin the River Valley community. "UAFS has always been a special place for both Frankie and me. It's where we grew as individuals and professionals. Bringing my experiences full circle and contributing to the university's future alongside someone who shares this deep connection is incredibly meaningful.”