FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The University of Saint Francis welcomes Dr. Alan Bearman as vice president for enrollment management.
Bearman is a higher education leader, historian and enrollment management executive with more than two decades of experience advancing student success, enrollment growth and institutional effectiveness at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.
Holding a doctorate in history from Kansas State University, Bearman most recently served as vice president for strategic enrollment management and student success and dean of university libraries, while also holding faculty appointments through the rank of professor of history.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Bearman to the University of Saint Francis,” President Sr. Maria Gemma Salyer, OSF, said. “We look forward to his leadership in navigating the rewards and challenges of higher education enrollment as he guides the university in admissions, student financial services and marketing.”
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve the University of Saint Francis and embrace its mission to prepare students for personal and professional lives of virtue, service and joy,” Bearman said. “We will strive to make sure potential students discover the many wonderful benefits of a Saint Francis education.”
Throughout his career, Dr. Bearman has led transformative initiatives that significantly increased enrollment, retention and student engagement, including the creation of the Washburn’s Center for Student Success and Retention, innovative first-year and mentoring programs and data-informed enrollment strategies that produced record-setting student recruitment results.
A recognized advocate for student achievement, he has secured millions of dollars in federal and private grant funding, published and presented nationally on student success and retention and earned numerous honors for leadership, innovation and teaching excellence. His work reflects a deep commitment to expanding educational opportunities, supporting diverse learners and helping students thrive both academically and professionally.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The academic structure at Saint Francis offers seven pathways: Humanities, Faith and Liberal Arts; Allied Health; Business and Leadership: Creative Arts and Digital Media; Education, Human Services and Community Care; Nursing; and Sciences and Medical Studies. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis delivers workforce development healthcare programs in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. A National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Five-Star Champion of Character institution, Saint Francis has 17 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 2,100 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.