Dixie State University recently hired an assistant vice president of enrollment management, Darlene Dilley, and a director of international student services, Dr. Catherine Odera.
Dilley will start on May 1 while Odera has already begun working.
Dilley’s duties will include focusing on the recruitment of new students and collaborating with other administrators to plan, develop, and execute DSU’s strategic enrollment plan. Dilley will be in charge of implementing programs to recruit new students while serving in a supervisory capacity over various departments across campus.
Dilley holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in education and an Adult Learning Certificate from Westminster College.
Dilley worked in academic advisement and orientation for 11 years at Utah State University Eastern. She spent another 11 years working in admissions and enrollment at Westminster, most recently serving as the director of admissions and interim chief enrollment officer.
Dr. Peter Gitau, vice president of student affairs at DSU, said Dilley’s proven track record in enrollment management and her performance throughout the hiring process helped her stand out among other candidates.
“Throughout the interviews, she demonstrated impeccable mastery of the enrollment management process and an exceptional ability to build an effective team and be a leader within the division and on campus,” Gitau said. “We are all excited to welcome Darlene to Dixie State University.”
Odera’s responsibilities encompass all facets of the international student programs, from immigration management and visa compliance to international student recruitment and retention. Serving in an administrative role, Odera will be pivotal in marketing and maintaining DSU’s International Student Services Department.
Odera has a diverse academic background to complement her 16 years of work experience in various capacities in the field of education. She holds a bachelor’s degree of education in English and literature from Kenyatta University in Kenya and a master’s degree in educational administration and college student personnel from Kent State University. From there, Odera went on to earn a doctorate in international conflict management from Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
Odera began her professional career in education as a high school teacher. Most recently, she served as the assistant director of international student programs at Kennesaw State. In that role, she helped develop initiatives to enhance international student engagement on campus and built programs to foster the retention and successful graduation of international students. In addition, Odera is a member of the Women’s Executive Leadership Program and the Association of International Educators.
Gitau said Odera was part of an exceptionally talented pool of candidates but her experience and dedication helped set her apart.
“Dr. Odera stood out because of her long-term and sustained engagement with international programs at multiple universities and her clear passion for working with students,” Gitau said. “She is exceptionally talented and will bring a perspective that is so much needed as we seek to internationalize our campus.”
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