Enrollment Leadership – A Love Story: Angel Pérez, Ph.D.

Angel Pérez Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), confesses to being an "accidental leader" who needed nudging from others to become a senior leader in admission and enrollment. One of his current goals, therefore, is to identify routes to leadership for others in the enrollment profession. His ideas are outlined in his book The Hottest Seat on Campus: A Roadmap for Mastering Leadership in College Admission, which he considers a "love letter to the profession."

In this installment of WittKieffer's Impactful Leaders Podcast, Dr. Pérez joins Senior Advisory Kasey Urquídez for a candid and inspiring conversation on the evolving demands of enrollment leadership. A nationally recognized voice in educational access and student success, Dr. Pérez shares insights from his book and reflects on his journey from first-generation college student to leading one of higher education’s most influential organizations.

Dr. Pérez emphasizes the emotional and public pressures facing enrollment leaders, and the urgent need for empathy and support from institutional leadership. “The chief enrollment officer is not your savior,” he explains. “So many presidents hire someone and expect all the challenges to disappear. But this role is complex, and success requires strategic investment, coaching, and care.” His reflections challenge institutions to rethink how they empower those in the hottest seat on campus.

He also shares personal lessons learned from burnout and recovery, advocating for a shift from self-care to self-management. “Half of winning the battle in enrollment is on how we manage ourselves,” he says. “How do we create routines, boundaries, and fulfillment in both our work and home lives?”

Looking ahead, Dr. Pérez offers a hopeful vision for the future of college admission and enrollment—one rooted in innovation, resilience, purpose . . . and love.