Columbus State University has hired a seasoned administrator from the University of West Georgia to be its new vice president for enrollment management, effective Sept. 1.

Dr. Shanna Widener has nearly two decades of experience across student affairs, enrollment strategy, and academic administration, and currently serves as UWG’s interim vice president of strategic enrollment management. There, she has led a comprehensive portfolio that includes financial aid, admissions and experience, student success, the Registrar’s Office, International and Study Abroad Programs, and One-stop Services.

“Dr. Widener is a proven leader who deeply understands the evolving landscape of higher education,” said Kim Scranage, CSU’s chief student engagement officer. “She brings with her a powerful blend of strategic vision, academic depth and unwavering commitment to student success. Her efforts have been rooted in an intentional focus on improving the student journey—recruitment to graduation—through inclusive, data-informed, and student-centered practices.”

Widener holds a doctoral degree in higher education administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a certificate in evaluation, statistics and measurement and a focus in educational leadership and policy studies. Her dissertation, entitled “Experiences in Service-Learning Programs at a Community College Among Students of Color: A Critical Study,” reflects her long-standing dedication to equity, experiential learning, and student engagement. Her academic foundation also includes a master’s in psychology from the University of Memphis and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Tennessee at Martin.

She is nationally recognized for her contributions to enrollment management, curriculum innovation and student development. She has designed and taught numerous graduate courses, including Strategic Enrollment Management, Institutional Assessment and Program Effectiveness, and Quantitative Research in Higher Education. Her scholarly work—spanning publications, conference presentations and editorial board appointments—demonstrates a bold commitment to inclusive excellence, social justice and the power of data-driven decision-making.

Widener’s leadership is further distinguished by her selection as a University System of Georgia Faculty Fellow for High Impact Practices in Service-Learning (2020-22) and as a member of the prestigious USG Executive Leadership Institute (2022-23)—two honors that underscore her commitment to both innovative pedagogy and strategic institutional leadership.

Widener succeeds Dr. Chip Reese, who retired last year. She will serve as a member of President Stuart Rayfield's Executive Leadership Team.