Morris to join UNG as new AVP for enrollment management

Dr. Brett E. Morris has been hired as the associate vice president for enrollment management at the University of North Georgia (UNG), effective July 1, 2019.

Dr. James Conneely, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at UNG, announced the hiring.

"Dr. Morris has proven success in taking a student-centered approach to managing enrollment and has worked collaboratively to improve retention and graduation through data-driven recruiting efforts," Conneely said. "With more than 16 years of experience in education, 20-plus years of active duty military service, and Spanish-speaking skills, Dr. Morris is uniquely qualified to support the mission of UNG across our five campuses. I am confident that he will help fulfill UNG's mission to expand opportunities for quality, affordable education throughout our region."

Morris, who retired from the U.S. Army in 2005 as a lieutenant colonel, is the executive director for enrollment management at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), where he is responsible for domestic and international undergraduate recruitment operations and admissions, student financial aid, and transfer student transition. EKU is a regional public institution of approximately 17,000 students located in Richmond, Kentucky.

Morris said UNG's reputation for excellence in leadership development and academics and its status as one of six senior military colleges in the country drew him to the university.

"As a former Army officer, the reputation of the University of North Georgia is well known and highly respected. It is a high honor to join a family of passionate educators and staff who dedicate themselves to helping students succeed," Morris said. "The friendliness of everyone I met during my recent visit simply reinforced UNG's well-earned status as a great place to work.  I look forward to becoming a contributing member of the student affairs and enrollment team."

Morris joined EKU in 1999, and spent more than five years as the active-duty professor of military science and leadership. After his military retirement, Morris established and taught the Junior ROTC program at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester, Kentucky.  In 2010, he returned to EKU to serve as the associate director for veterans affairs and launched Operation Veteran Success. In 2011, he was asked to serve as the director of undergraduate admissions and in 2014 to assume his current role as executive director.

Morris has authored multiple presentations and articles on higher education, and has taught college courses in leadership, history and higher education management.

Morris has a bachelor's degree in advertising from Texas Tech University, a master's degree in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from EKU. His military education includes the Army Command and General Staff College and a certificate in strategic studies from the Army War College. 

During his Army tenure he served as a field artillery officer in the 8th Infantry and 101st Airborne Divisions and as a foreign area officer in Bogota, Colombia.

Conneely also expressed gratitude to the search committee, led by Dr. John Delaney, associate vice president and dean of students on the Dahlonega Campus.

"Through their excellent work and due diligence, we had very talented candidates for this important leadership position within the University of North Georgia and the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management that will help shape the future of this institution," Conneely said.