Jesse Roberts, now Admissions Director at West Nottingham Academy, will head the JC Admissions Department starting July 1st.

Roberts’ role will encompass a greater variety of tasks than is now undertaken by current Admissions Director Kim Brueggemann. Roberts is unsure of his title, but according to President Richard O’Hara, it will “be something like Director of Enrollment and Marketing.”

Roberts has a history in recruiting. After playing professional soccer in the CISL league and for the Baltimore Bays, and coaching at Clemson University, Roberts “got into the recruiting side” of college soccer.

College recruiting, “brought me closer to what I wanted to do, which was working with kids in education,” Roberts said.

Roberts has been Admissions Director at West Nottingham Academy, located in Cecil County, for three years. He calls the school, which has 120 students in grades nine to twelve, “definitely different.”

“My role there was very much to lead the enrollment efforts, but also the marketing efforts and help shape our message and programming,” Roberts said.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time there. Things at West Nottingham have definitely been eye opening as far as the world of recruiting and admissions. It’s definitely given me insight into what I think Catholic schools and independent schools can be doing to,” Roberts said.

According to O’Hara, the school sought an addition to the Admissions Department because, “given the changed nature of the whole admissions world, we wanted a greater variety of skills applied to the effort.”

The school “had been thinking about it [adding the position], [but] it took on a greater sense of urgency with the recession and the competition locally,” O’Hara said.

Roberts sees the new position as an “opportunity to be able to work in the admissions world closer to where I live, but also to be back into a school that was religious in nature [West Nottingham was secular]. I certainly miss having the religious component as part of daily life,” said Roberts.

According to Roberts, he and Brueggemann are currently working on how duties will be divided up. “Obviously, we want to play to each other’s strengths,” Roberts said.

“Since Mr. Roberts’ position is newly designed, we are heading into this with a broad range of ideas with regard to job responsibilities.  We will both be doing Open House, School Visits, Shadows, Admissions Committee, [and] meeting on committees. However, giving you exact job descriptions is quite unfair at this point.  Mr. Roberts will be concerned with overall marketing and enrollment,” said Brueggemann.

Roberts is “excited about working with Brueggemann. She has so many great tools; it will be a tremendous opportunity working alongside with her to help further the goals of the school,” said Roberts.

“I’m really looking forward to being here. From my career, this is a school that I’ve always looked up to, and I feel fortunate to join the family here. I’m excited about that,” said Roberts.

Check back later for Robert’s specific goals to increase enrollment.

Collin Hoofnagle can be reached for comment at [email protected].