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José Aviles to lead admissions at University at Buffalo
2:30 p.m., Jan. 13, 2015--José Aviles, who has led University of Delaware admissions since 2012, has accepted the role of associate vice provost and director of admissions at the University at Buffalo.
Aviles will assume his new post on May 1.
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His tenure at Delaware has had a remarkable impact, producing the most diverse classes in UD history. In fall 2014, for example, UD successfully welcomed one of its largest, most diverse and best-qualified first-year classes ever.
Known as a champion of diversity, access and equity, Aviles has worked to make UD a more strategic asset for underserved communities. During his career here, he demonstrated a keen understanding of emerging trends in demographics and found ways to craft an admissions process that effectively broadened the scope of recruiting and landed prospective students who were solidly prepared for the rigors of academic life at UD.
A national search will be conducted to find Aviles' replacement.
“It’s been inspiring to work with such an amazing staff. I’m very proud of my team and the work we’ve accomplished. I’ve learned a great deal and my goal has always been to leave the University of Delaware in a better place than when I arrived,” Aviles said.
“Our work has shown that we can be an authentic destination for all students, including historically underrepresented students. If we are truly intentional, we can craft distinctly talented and broadly diverse incoming freshmen classes. I firmly believe that we’ve laid a strong foundation for this work to continue.”
Aviles also established new partnerships with local school districts, non-governmental organizations and community leaders to assure the University was not only casting a broader net to reach more students, but also playing a role in cultivating better-prepared students for the future.
“José is visionary thinker who deeply understands the research and dynamics of recruiting and admissions in today’s highly competitive educational landscape,” said Vice President of Enrollment Management Chris Lucier. “His leadership has produced results from which we will continue to benefit.”
“His commitment to broader access as a critical method of achieving excellence has been demonstrated in his outreach to underserved communities,” said Provost Domenico Grasso. “We wish José well, and we are certainly positioned to keep our momentum moving forward.”
Aviles was named director of admissions at the University of Delaware in July 2012, after having served as director of admissions at Millersville (Pa.) University. While there, he increased total new enrollments and class diversity, developed use of social media in admissions and expanded recruitment efforts in the region.
Prior to that, Aviles worked in admissions and student affairs at a broad range of institutions in the mid-Atlantic region, including Rowan University, Swarthmore College, Mercer County Community College and LaSalle University.
He received a bachelor’s degree in history, a master's degree in higher education administration and a doctorate in educational leadership, all from Rowan University.
Top search firm
The process to find Aviles’ successor is already underway. The University is retaining the services of a top-tier firm to conduct a national search and develop an excellent and diverse pool of candidates for consideration.
"We are selecting a leading executive search firm to assist us in the critical process of identifying candidates and selecting the right leader to maintain the momentum Dr. Aviles has established,” said Lucier.
David Wilson, associate dean of the College of Art and Sciences, and Melissa Stone, director of Student Financial Services, have agreed to co-chair the search committee.
About the University at Buffalo
Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a flagship institution in the State University of New York system (SUNY). UB is the largest and most comprehensive campus in the 64-campus SUNY system with an enrollment of about 29,850 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities.
Article by Jawanza Ali Keita