October 12, 2023

Enrollment leader Ken Fettig joins SVSU as new vice president

Saginaw Valley State University has concluded a national search for vice president of enrollment management by selecting Ken Fettig to serve in the role.

Fettig comes to SVSU from Fairmont State University in West Virginia, where he served as vice president for enrollment management, student success, institutional effectiveness and strategic operations.  Following several years of declines, Fairmont State increased first year enrollment by 7.5% and first-year student occupancy in on-campus housing by 15% in 2022.

“Ken has shown the ability to lead an enrollment team and achieve enrollment growth,” said George Grant Jr, SVSU president. “These are challenging times for regional public universities; however, I have been impressed by the dedication of our faculty and staff and the strength of our programs, since becoming president in January. 

“Ken had a broad scope of responsibility at Fairmont State and worked effectively with the community there. I am confident that he will work collaboratively on and off campus to deliver results for SVSU.”

At SVSU, Fettig will oversee undergraduate, graduate and international admissions, as well as the offices of financial aid, institutional research and the registrar.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Cardinal family and look forward to advancing and amplifying the incredible work that is happening at Saginaw Valley State University,” Fettig said. “SVSU degrees and credentials have the power to transform lives. My passion for higher education is fueled by a desire to ensure that this transformational opportunity is accessible to prospective students and remains attainable for our current students. I know I am joining a community at SVSU that shares that same passion and drive.”

While at Fairmont State, Fettig implemented a new high school counselor and administrator training conference, establishing relationships with K-12 educators by connecting them with university faculty and leaders, superintendents and state higher education leaders.

“I look forward to partnering with the SVSU community and the Great Lakes Bay Region in work that is inspiring and innovative – work that will be anchored in our local communities while expanding our footprint across the state and abroad.”

Prior to Fairmont State, Fettig worked for the University of Arizona Global Campus for 13 years, departing as a senior director where he led more than 90 professional staff across three states. He also served three years as an assistant coordinator of international programs at Michigan State University.

Fettig completed a bachelor’s degree at Michigan State and an M.B.A. at the University of Arizona Global Campus. He will begin his duties at SVSU on Monday, Oct. 16.