Eric Groves Joins USF Community
Deeya Gupta
On March 25 USF’s Office of the Interim President announced via an email addressed to faculty, librarians and staff the appointment of Eric Groves as the new vice president of strategic enrollment management (SEM), effective mid-April. Groves brings 25 years of experience advising colleges and universities in the United States and internationally.
He will report to Provost Eileen Fung as a member of the president’s cabinet. After USF appoints a new president, Groves will report to that president and lead the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management.
In a statement to the Foghorn, Provost Fung highlighted Groves’ background, stating, “Dr. Eric Groves has 25 years of experience helping hundreds of universities improve enrollment outcomes. His extensive consulting work has prepared him well to lead USF through the increasingly dynamic landscape of higher education enrollment.” She said that she was particularly impressed during the interview by his “data-driven, mission-focused, and innovative approach to recruitment and admission practices.”
New Administrator Focused on Community
Groves will come to USF from Liaison, a technology company serving higher education, where he led the sales and consulting team in the western United States and internationally. Prior to joining Liaison, he worked for ten years at Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL), a provider of higher education enrollment, student success and fundraising solutions. At RNL he was a leading consultant in the western United States and served as senior vice president overseeing presidential relationships. He has worked with numerous universities to improve their enrollment outcomes.
Before his consulting career, Groves spent 15 years at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, where he led the admissions team in increasing enrollment and diversifying the student body. During his time there as director of admissions, “the diversity of PLNU’s incoming class rose from 21% in 2009 to more than 39% in 2014.” Groves also served as interim vice president for enrollment management at Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania from January to June of 2022. Where, according to the announcement email, he helped increase new student enrollment by 12%.
As Groves steps into his new role at USF, he shares his excitement about joining the community. “USF is a unique institution with an important mission, which I love. I get excited about the opportunity to work with such a talented team to achieve the important goal of helping USF to more fully live into its mission. USF has a great enrollment team that I look forward to supporting when I get to campus.”
Groves also outlined his approach to shaping the future of SEM at USF. “First, I plan to spend a lot of time listening to the team and others in the community, to make sure I understand the uniqueness of the USF community. But the reality of enrollment growth and shaping is a lot like other industries, the way you grow is by making sure your product is aligned with market needs and then making sure the market is aware of your product offerings. So I am excited to work together with other leaders to make sure we are aligned and that we are representing that product well to prospective students.”
Groves is also a frequent speaker at higher education conferences on topics related to enrollment marketing, financial aid optimization and strategic enrollment planning. He holds a PhD in Higher Education from Azusa Pacific University, with a focus on student success.
The university acknowledged the contributions of Jennifer Delahunty, who has served as interim vice provost of SEM since August 2024. Delahunty reflected on her time leading the division, “I am most proud of working closely with and supporting the SEM team; they are an extraordinary group of talented and dedicated enrollment professionals who have worked very hard while the higher ed headwinds blow strongly,” she said. Delahunty also highlighted key initiatives during her time, noting that SEM had focused on communicating the value and distinctiveness of a USF education to prospective students and families. “Featuring our faculty and academic programs, such as the new Horizon Collective and the expansion in 4+1 programs, has been an emphasis of our work. Additionally, the board and cabinet have approved new initiatives to make USF more affordable and accessible to all. I’m sure Eric will add value to and continue these initiatives.”
Delahunty will work closely with Groves during the transition period before her departure in mid-May. “Eric and I will overlap for about three weeks, and in that time I hope to introduce him to campus partners and have conversations with him and the leadership team. Strengthening our current markets while expanding into new markets will be top of our agenda. Refining and spreading USF’s reputation will also be top of mind.”
Delahunty emphasized the role of the USF community in supporting Groves’ success, “It really takes a village to recruit a class of USF first-year and transfer students and we can all help by being ambassadors for USF. Wear your Don gear proudly. Tell others about your experience here. Urge students to apply.”
Delhunty continued, “Carry everything you’ve learned here, about being there for others and making a difference, into the world as a representative of USF. Those who know and love this place are our best ambassadors.”
Groves is also focused on fostering collaboration across the university. He believes that creating a strategic enrollment plan (SEP) that includes all parts of the campus is key to success. “A strong SEP process solicits strategies for enrollment shaping and growth from the entire campus. […] To be successful, we need everyone’s best thinking and best ideas! I am excited. This is a great time to be a Don!”
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia McCrackin, Managing Editor: Jordan DelFiugo, News Editor: Deeya Gupta, Sports Editor: John Lindroos
