Dr. Jeff Hale Named VP for Enrollment Management–Marketing & Intercollegiate Athletics

Press Release Date: 07-29-2005

Dr. Jeff Hale has been named Vice President for Enrollment Management-Marketing and Intercollegiate Athletic Programs at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Southeastern President Dr. Glen D. Johnson made the announcement this morning July 29^th, 2005.

Dr. Hale has served as interim athletic director at SOSU since July 1, 2004, replacing Dr. Don Parham, who retired as athletic director at that time. Hale joined Southeastern in 2000 as Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management-Marketing since 2000.

“Dr. Jeff Hale has played a key role in the growth of student enrollment over the past few years at Southeastern,” President Johnson said. “The University has now experienced 17 consecutive semesters of enrollment increases, and Dr. Hale and his staff are to be commended for their efforts in that regard. In addition, over the past year, Dr. Hale has proven to be an innovative leader in guiding our intercollegiate athletics program. During that time, he has hired four head coaches (football, women’s basketball, tennis, golf) , added an additional sport (golf) to meet NCAA guidelines, and is continuing to oversee the facility improvements at Paul Laird Field and the future construction of a new arena-convocation center on campus. Under the direction of Dr. Hale, we believe the future is bright in the enrollment and intercollegiate athletic arena.”

“I’m honored and humbled to serve in this capacity,” Dr. Hale said. “I appreciate President Johnson’s confidence in my abilities and his strong commitment to our enrollment and marketing efforts, student success, the student-athlete experience, and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

“In athletics, our challenge is clear. The coaches and athletic administrators must work hard every day to improve the quality of the student-athlete experience, the on-field success of our athletic programs, and the involvement and support from our fans, donors and alumni. On the enrollment front, we must continue to find innovative ways to improve access, increase services, and make available the best possible college experience for our students. I look forward to the challenges.”

Since Hale began his duties as interim athletic director, the SOSU captured the Lone Star Conference North Division football championship last fall and advanced o the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in school history. Also qualifying for post-season play in 2005 was the men’s basketball team.

He currently serves as chair of the Durant Community Facilities Authority, the group that oversees the facilities improvements that were approved by Durant voters on May 11, 2004.

As the senior officer in charge of Enrollment Management and Marketing, Hale oversees a division with 7 directors and more than 70 full-time and student staff.

Since joining Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Hale has led the initiative to open The Academic Advising and Outreach Center, which is designed to provide centralized academic advising for all newly admitted students. Additionally, he initiated the Freshmen Programs office that develops and delivers the programs and services targeted for first-time freshmen.

Hale earned his Bachelors of Arts degree in history from the University of Oklahoma in 1982 and his doctorate of philosophy from OU in 1996. He has served as a public school teacher and college administrator since 1983.

From 1983 to 1990, Hale taught U.S. History and coached basketball and tennis in the Mustang Public School system. Junior Achievement recognized him as one of their outstanding classroom teachers during his tenure at Mustang.

Dr. Hale began his higher education administration career in 1990 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While there, he served as an academic advisor and residence hall director, and taught the Career Development course to new freshmen.

In 1991, Hale accepted an offer to join the division of student affairs at the University of Oklahoma, where he served until the summer of 2000. While at OU, he held four positions within the division, including Financial Aid Counselor, Assistant Director of Student Development, and Director of the Center for Student Life and Director of Development for Student Affairs. In 1994 the OU student body recognized him with the Outstanding Staff award, the highest award given annually to OU staff.

In 2004, Hale was named one of 10 recipients of the “Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award” by the University of South Carolina’s National Resource Center For The First-Year Experience And Students In Transition and the Houghton Mifflin Publishing Co. The 10 award recipients were selected from a group of 235 nominations.

Dr. Hale is married to Donna Staples Hale, a former teacher in the Mustang Public Schools, at the University of Oklahoma, and currently an adjunct instructor at Southeastern in the Department of Biological Sciences. They have two children, son Elijah, and daughter Emma. Dr. Hale enjoys hiking, camping, golfing, and coaching little league sports.