Derek Flynn

Derek Flynn offers more than a dozen years of experience in enrollment management. He specializes in admissions strategies and maximizing the impact of an institution’s financial aid packages on enrollment.

Derek has consulted with more than 20 colleges and universities. His work has helped institutions increase enrollments, net revenue and academic profile, including:

  • Averett University (VA), which saw 63 percent growth in FY students and 36 percent growth in TR students since 2007. In addition, overall net revenue for FY students increased 77 percent and TR overall net revenue increased 50 percent during the same time period.
  • Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (WI), which saw its new student enrollment and net revenue increase since 2007 by 34 percent and 35 percent respectively. During this period the campus has also been to maintain the quality of students it enrolls.
  • Since 2009, Paul Smith’s College (NY) has seen freshmen enrollment increase 14 percent while overall net revenue increased 18 percent. In addition, its academic profile slightly increased during this same period.

Previous campus experience

Derek came to RNL from Maryville University of St. Louis (MO), where he served as associate director of admission. Over a five-year period, he increased his territory applicant pool by 55 percent and territory enrollment by 75 percent. He also helped evaluate, construct, and implement the university’s financial aid packaging strategies. Derek counseled students and parents on the financial aid process as well, assisting them through the application process and with their scholarship and grant eligibility.

Prior to that position, Derek served as assistant director of admission at Briar Cliff University (IA). There he helped increase applications by 20 percent over four years. His responsibilities included student recruitment and the strategic distribution of the university’s financial aid packages. Derek has also served as assistant director of admission and financial aid at Quincy University (IL).

Presentations, associations, and education

Derek has presented at regional and national conferences on a variety of topics, including using a long term enrollment and net revenue projection models, strategies for enrollment planning and enrollment projecting, and developing successful financial aid strategies.

During his career in higher education, Derek has been a member of several state and national organizations ranging from the Missouri and Illinois Associations for Admission Counseling as well as the National Association for Admission Counseling. He holds a bachelor of science from Quincy University.

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