A Nebraska native and Husker alumnus is returning to take on a new role at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
After a national search, Matthew (Matt) Ellis joins the university’s Academic Services and Enrollment Management leadership team as the new executive director. His role will be effective late July. Ellis will lead the offices of Admissions, New Student Enrollment, Marketing and Communications, and Recruitment Technology.
“The university holds a special place in my heart and memory,” Ellis said. “This is an amazing opportunity to help others connect to an institution who gave me so much. I’m drawn towards helping create the future of Nebraska, just as much as I am proud of my own Husker experience.”
Ellis roots are in western Nebraska including the areas of Broken Bow, McCook and Scottsbluff. He graduated from Scottsbluff Senior High School in 2000, then from Nebraska in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from Rockhurst University.
“I loved my university experience. I can truly see how well it prepared me, helping to shape my personal and professional success,” Ellis said.
Amber Williams, assistant vice chancellor for Academic Services and Enrollment Management, said Ellis’s Nebraska ties made him an ideal hire.
“As a Nebraska alum, he understands that every interaction, every person matters,” Williams said. “He will help us continue to articulate that fact through the recruitment and new student enrollment process.”
Ellis brings a wealth of enrollment management and admissions knowledge to the university. He began his admissions career at Nebraska as the assistant director for special events. He also worked at William Jewell College and Arizona State University. During his tenure as executive director of admissions at ASU, he helped the Sun Devils surpass 10,000 freshmen for the first time in campus history.
“I bring a unique mix of large public and small private university experience,” Ellis said. “I have seen first-hand how strategies used by one institution type can be incredibly beneficially when also used at the other. I believe I can help Nebraska remain focused on its highly personalized student experience, while also pursuing its strategic growth goals and reaching new audiences.”
Williams said the executive director post will help identify challenges that block students from successfully being Huskers.
“Matt is a leader that understands the challenges and opportunities in attracting new students from across the state, country and world to Nebraska. He is poised to help us be successful,” Williams said.
Ellis is currently associate provost for enrollment services for Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri. He works as the chief enrollment officer, overseeing graduate and undergraduate admissions, university marketing, enrollment technology and operations, financial aid and scholarship services, and the university registrar.
