Following a national search, Rakin Hall—a higher education expert with more than 20 years of success and strategic management at institutions such as the University of Utah and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles (USC)—was appointed vice president for Enrollment Management. Hall’s appointment at Arcadia begins today and is the culmination of a search that began at the beginning of this year.  

“The vice president of Enrollment Management role is critical in higher education today,” said President Ajay Nair. “At Arcadia, it is especially important, as enrollment is a significant driver of our economic health, student success, and engagement, all of which are vital to our educational experience.” 

In January 2018, Hall joined the University of Utah as executive director of Admissions, where he led a team of 90 staff members in the areas of recruitment, operations, marketing, and campus experience that increased the yield of the Class of 2022 by 3.4 percent. In August 2019, the university appointed Hall executive director of Foundation Relations.  

Prior to his work at Utah, Hall was associate director of Admission at USC from August 2005 to December 2017, where he implemented three new programs designed to increase the yield of targeted student populations. He also served as assistant director of Admission at William Paterson State University (2003-2005) in Wayne, N.J., and as coordinator of Marketing and Admission at Humboldt State University (1997-2003) in Arcata, Calif.

Hall earned a Master of Education in higher education administration at USC and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and communications at Humboldt State University. He is married to Makayla Hall, a higher education professional, and is the father to a curious and precocious 11-year-old daughter named Halo.

“I am grateful to Collene Pernicello for her work as interim vice president for Enrollment Management and steering recruitment during arguably the most turbulent time in higher education in recent history,” said President Nair. “I’d also like to thank members of the VPEM Search Committee, whose work over the past few months yielded a talented pool of candidates, and all members of the University community who participated in this search process, providing feedback and ideas for the position and the ideal candidate.”