Marc L. Harding Named University of Pittsburgh’s Chief Enrollment Officer

PITTSBURGH—Marc L. Harding has been named the University of Pittsburgh’s Chief Enrollment Officer, effective July 15, 2012, Pitt Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson announced today. In that position, Harding, known as one of the nation’s leading enrollment specialists, will lead Pitt’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and be responsible for attracting and retaining highly talented, diverse classes of students. 

Harding will succeed Betsy Porter, who is retiring June 30 after achieving years of record enrollments for the University in her role as director of Admissions and Financial Aid since 1986.

Harding’s responsibilities at Pitt will include enrollment planning and policies, student financial aid, the PittStart summer orientation for new students, and undergraduate admissions. He also will hold a University-wide leadership position as a member of the Council of Deans.

“I am delighted that Marc Harding has agreed to serve as Chief Enrollment Officer and have great confidence that his dedication to undergraduate students and commitment to excellence will serve us well in his new role,” said Beeson in making the announcement of Harding’s appointment. “I very much look forward to working with him and believe that, under his leadership, the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid will continue to thrive.”

With nearly 30 years of higher education admissions experience at four major public universities, Harding comes to Pitt from Iowa State University, where he has served as assistant vice president for enrollment and director of admissions since January 2011. Harding joined Iowa State’s admissions department in 1997 as director of admissions and was promoted to director of admissions and enrollment services in 2003.

Harding has successfully led enrollment efforts at Iowa State during an unprecedented period of expansion and advancement of undergraduate programs at that university. Since 2006, his efforts have resulted in a 50 percent increase in applications, a nearly 30 percent increase in freshman enrollment, increased geographic and ethnic diversity, and a continued commitment to meet the high levels of achievement expected for admission to a major research university. 

“Mr. Harding’s vision for the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is well matched to our overall vision for the University of Pittsburgh,” Beeson commented. “He is committed to recruiting and retaining a talented and diverse population of students who are poised to take advantage of all the University has to offer. I am confident that his student-centered approach, passion for working with people, and emphasis on service and innovative thinking among his colleagues will help him advance these goals within the culture of the University community.”

Harding has held leadership positions in the National Association of College Admissions Counselors and regularly makes presentations at national meetings on topics including the recruitment of high-ability students, multicultural student recruitment, staff training and development, and the use of technology in recruitment and admissions.

Prior to working for Iowa State, Harding held positions in the admissions departments of the University of South Florida, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Harding earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies, with minors in psychology and Chinese, from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1985, and his Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies degree from Iowa State in 2004. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Iowa State in the field of educational leadership and policy studies. 

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6/15/12/mab/lks/jdh