Fischler Alum Named to VP Role at Westfield State University

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Kevin Hearn, Ed.D. was recently named the vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts.

The position is a new one and combines the enrollment and student affairs functions into single role that helps build a positive student experience from the beginning of the application process all the way through graduation.

Hearn is the perfect candidate for the role, having previously served as both a vice president for enrollment management and a vice president of student affairs.

“Throughout my career, I have worked to create systems and practices to improve the lives of students, focusing on making their experience as seamless as possible. And now we get the opportunity to really do it at a high level at Westfield State. I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” Hearn said.

In the role, Hearn said he hopes to build a flagship student program that other institutions can model their programs after.

“I’m looking at this as a tremendous opportunity to be innovative in our approach to serving students and their families.  Students and families need more assistance, and higher education must focus on how to serve their interests best while preparing them for the academic rigor and psycho-social development that takes place during this time.  Higher education leaders are making great strides in this area of student support and I believe Westfield State can be a leader in these efforts.”

Hearn earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from NSU. He said that the design of Nova’s program and being exposed to so many different classmates from different fields and backgrounds really helped prepare him for his leadership role.

In his cohort alone, he had fellow educators, teachers, and administrators, but also  veterans, an administrator for LaGuardia Airport, th CFO for a large accounting firm in NYC and more.

“That diversity among the students lent itself to stimulating and exciting conversations, it lent itself to different perspectives, led to a sense that higher education needed to evolve, to be creative.  Simply, as students change, the industry is compelled to change as well.”

As for his next steps, Hearn said he is focused on the challenges and opportunities at Westfield State,, and that maybe one day, he may pursue a presidential position at a college or university..

Congratulations Dr. Hearn!

Posted 07/30/23