Nathan Fuerst, who has led undergraduate admissions efforts at a time when incoming classes have reached new academic heights, has been selected as UConn’s next vice president for enrollment planning and management.

President Susan Herbst announced Thursday that Fuerst had been selected after a national search for the position, which current vice president Wayne Locust leaves this spring upon his retirement.

Fuerst has been UConn’s director of undergraduate admissions and assistant vice president for enrollment since 2011. He previously worked at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in a variety of increasingly responsible enrollment and admissions positions, and also earned his undergraduate degree and his MBA there.

“UConn is known for exceptional progress, as it has come to be regarded as one of the top universities in the country,” Fuerst said. “I am humbled and honored to serve in the capacity of vice president of enrollment here, and to work with talented colleagues throughout the University to build upon the amazing position in which UConn finds itself today.”

Enrollment management is one of the most complex and consequential fields within higher education, Herbst said.

UConn’s marketing and recruitment efforts and the successful deployment of the University’s financial aid budget are all key to drawing and retaining an academically exceptional, highly diverse student body – as has been occurring at record levels at UConn in recent years, during Fuerst’s tenure as admissions director.

“He has distinguished himself at UConn as a talented enrollment professional with a comprehensive understanding of his field, a strategic thinker, and a campus leader,” Herbst said.

“Those of us who have worked with him have found him to be open, responsive, data-driven, highly analytical, and collaborative – qualities we seek in every colleague,” she added. “This, combined with his outstanding record of accomplishment at UConn and his vision for the future, make him an ideal choice for this position.”